Quick Reads

The First Law

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The First Law: Short story by Isaac Asimov In this story by Isaac Asimov, a scientist tells astounded colleagues a “tall tale” about how a new model robot broke the first and most fundamental of the Three Laws of Robotics: a robot may not injure a human being, or through inaction allow a human being to come to harm. The malfunctioning robot had escaped from its base and, upon encountering the man in a deadly zero-visibility storm, left him to die. Although the robot had a legitimate reason for its actions, the model was discontinued immediately. Themes include disobedience, protectiveness and “motherly” love.

Christmas Day in the Morning

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Christmas Day in the Morning: Children's story by Pearl S. Buck This coming of age story by Pearl S. Buck tells how doing something special to show how much you love someone can be the greatest gift of all. An old man wakes early one Christmas morning and remembers another Christmas when, as a boy, he first understood how much his father loved him. He decided that the cheap tie he had bought was not good enough, and came up with another gift they both remember for the rest of their lives. He realizes that love alone awakens love and decides to give the gift again. Themes: nostalgia, love, family, giving.

Between Earth and Sky

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Between Earth and Sky: Short story by Patricia Grace In this story by Patricia Grace, an indigenous New Zealand farmer’s wife describes the day’s events to her newborn baby. She begins by telling him how free and alive she felt upon waking that morning, and about her family’s chaotic farewell as they dropped her off at the hospital. She then describes her friendly banter with the nursing staff (she knows them well as this is the eighth baby she has had there!), and concludes with quiet time after the delivery bonding with and talking affectionately to the child. Themes include procreation, nurturing, motherhood, envy/resentment, struggle, contentment.

Counterfeit Bills

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Counterfeit Bills: Short story by Richard Matheson Richard Matheson is renowned for his novels and traditional short stories in the fantasy, horror and science fiction genres. This is one of his few published flash stories, and the fact that it is a spoof of the science fiction cloning model makes it especially interesting. The story is based on the premise of how nice it would be to have a ‘double’ to carry out all the mundane tasks in your life, so you could spend all your time going out and having fun. Despite (or perhaps thanks to) the corny puns, it is a very enjoyable Quick Read.

The Romance of a Busy Broker

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Romance of a Busy Broker: Short story by O. Henry This humorous but unlikely story by O. Henry is set in the office of Harvey Maxwell, a busy New York stockbroker, over the space of a single morning. When Harvey sits down at his desk, it is as if he changes from a man into a machine. He puts everything else out of his mind. It is a bad day on the stock market and, when things get quieter at lunchtime, he realizes that he has forgotten something more important than making money. Themes include the pressure of ‘modern’ business, love, preoccupation, workplace conflict, gender roles.

Voodoo

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Voodoo: Flash story by Fredric Brown This story by Fredric Brown explores the use of black magic to solve a marriage problem. Mr and Mrs Decker have decided on a divorce. Love has turned to hate, and the break-up is not friendly. The biggest issue they need to agree on is the financial settlement. Mrs Decker wants half of everything; Mr Decker thinks this is too much. She knows voodoo, and tells him she could use it to kill and him and get everything if he didn’t agree. This leads to an all-or-nothing bet. Themes include hatred, divorce, greed, the supernatural.

The Wave

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The Wave: Short story by Liam O'Flaherty The only “characters” in this vignette from Liam O’Flaherty are a cliff, waves, and “the wave”. Major themes include permanence, time, the power of nature/many. O’Flaherty was a noted Republican, and the story can be looked upon as a powerful allegory of Ireland’s struggle for independence. The cliff (Britain) stands firm and resolute, having successfully weathered many storms over its long history. Individually, the smaller waves (the Irish people) make little impression against its rocky walls. Working together, and combining to form “the wave”, they have enough power to begin breaking down the mighty cliff.

The End of Something / Three-Day Blow

Post category:Quick Reads Short Stories

The End of Something / Three Day Blow: Short stories by Ernest Hemingway These two Ernest Hemingway stories should ideally be read together as they are linked by storyline (the end of a relationship) and major themes (change, friendship and moving on). The lumber town of Hortons Bay has died and its people have left because all the old-growth trees have been cut down. Like the townspeople, Nick Adams is planning a new beginning. He has decided to break up with girlfriend Marjorie, telling her “it isn’t fun anymore”. We learn the reason in the second story, which introduces additional themes of class and/or racial prejudice, selfishness, mateship and regret.