The Parsley Garden

The Parsley Garden: Short story by William SaroyanIn this coming-of-age story by William Saroya, an eleven-year-old boy is caught stealing a hammer from a department store. Rather than calling the police, the store manager lets him off with a warning. The boy spends the rest of the day plotting how to get the hammer back and respond to what he considers “humiliating” treatment. The confusion in his mind is contrasted with the peace and tranquillity of his mother’s “parsley garden”, where everything is free for the taking. Themes include temptation, choices and consequences, shame/humiliation, anger, redemption, self-image.

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Examination Day

Examination Day : Short story by Henry SlesarSet in a late 20th century dystopian society, this story by Henry Slesar questions the acceptable limits of government control. A couple appears tense at the breakfast table on what should be a happy day, their only son’s twelfth birthday. The following week, the boy must take a government intelligence test. Although the father appears poorly educated, struggling to answer basic science questions, his son does well at school and is confident of passing. To their horror, he does even better and aces the exam. Themes include government control, fear, oppression, conditioning and acceptance, eugenics.

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The Ingredients

The Ingredients: Short story by Jason ReynoldsA major theme of this story by Jason Reynolds is dreams vs. reality. Four African-American boys on the way to hang out at one of their homes after a day at the swimming pool try to outdo one another with descriptions of the exotic sandwiches they would like to eat when they get there. What they are served is very different to what they imagined. The sad message of the story is that in later life they are likely to encounter many similar reality checks. Other themes include Brooklyn life, social inequality, friendship, individuality, imagination, disappointment, acceptance.

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Gren’s Ghost

Gren's Ghost: Short story by Marie-Louise FitzpatrickIn this story by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick, a usually timid 6th grader who is ridiculed at school because of his unusual name has an experience that boosts his pride and self-confidence. At midnight, he sneaks out of his house to help a classmate with a task he says needs two to pull off. Despite concerns about being set up for some kind of hazing, the boy goes to the meeting-place at the Seven Castles ruins and learns that their objective is to capture a photograph of the famous Priory Ghost. Themes include identity, fear, courage, pride, self-confidence, “friendship”, manipulation.

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The Star-Child

The Star-Child: Short story by Oscar WildeThis fable-like story by Oscar Wilde begins with a baby seemingly falling from the sky. His life-story unfolds through themes of poverty, social class, narcissism, cruelty, karma, loss, repentance and redemption. Finally, as lord of a great city, he rules with justice and mercy to all. In the last paragraph, the story takes an unexpected and some say disappointing turn. He dies three years later, and his successor rules evilly. Interpretations of this depressing denouement include the futility of one man trying to change the way of the world, and the benefits of democracy over autocratic rule.

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Blues Ain’t No Mockin Bird

Blues Ain't No Mockin Bird: Short story by Toni Cade BambaraMajor themes of this story by Toni Cade Bambara are respect for oneself and others, and maintaining one’s dignity when treated disrespectfully. Two white men making a government film on their property anger the matriarch of a poor African-American family. They show disrespect by invading her family’s privacy and filming them without permission, speaking down to her in a condescending way, and ignoring her demand to stop filming. Although clearly enraged, she remains outwardly calm; not so her husband who, sensing her feelings, takes non-violent but decisive action. Other themes include social class, racism, privacy, storytelling.

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The Widow and the Parrot: A True Story

The Widow and the Parrot, A True Story: Short story by Virginia WoolfThe message of this fable-like children’s story by Virginia Woolf is that kindness can lead to rich rewards. A frail old widow is so poor that sometimes she goes without food to give her dog its bone. One day, she learns that her miserly brother has died and left her a house and £3,000. The house, which is inhabited by a foul-mouthed parrot, is in terrible condition and there is no sign of her brother’s money. She treats the parrot kindly, and the clever bird not only saves her life, but also leads her to his gold.

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All the Years of Her Life

All the Years of Her Life: Short story by Morley CallaghanThe major theme of this coming of age story by Morley Callaghan is motherly love and devotion. Six months into a job at a drugstore the protagonist, seemingly in his late teens, is caught pilfering goods. Rather than call the police immediately, the proprietor contacts his mother who rushes to the store and convinces the owner not to press charges. The wayward boy’s attitude to life changes when he sees the contrast between his mother’s calm, dignified manner at the drugstore and the trembling, nervous wreck she becomes at home. Other themes include petty crime, shame, empathy, guilt, personal growth.

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