The Sentinel

The Sentinel: Short story by Arthur C. ClarkeIn this story by Arthur C. Clarke, a scientist exploring the moon’s surface discovers a “glittering roughly pyramidal structure” high on a mountain top. It is clearly not man-made, and is surrounded by a force-field that takes twenty years and “atomic power” to penetrate. The scientist concludes that it was placed there as a beacon to alert an advanced alien civilization when life on Earth has evolved and proved worthy enough for them to be interested in revisiting. This begs a question: what are their intentions? Themes include isolation, exploration, discovery, evolution, worthiness, the cosmic insignificance of man.

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The Lovers

The Lovers: Short story by Bessie HeadThis story by Bessie Head is a reimagining of a Botswanan oral folktale in which young lovers who defy tribal customs of premarital chastity and arranged marriage are cast out of their village and mysteriously vanish. This leads to a myth that as punishment for putting the tribal community at risk, a nearby hill opened and swallowed them. The folktale’s message is that a tribe’s well-being relies on members putting personal desires aside and strictly following its traditions and rules. Themes include romantic love vs. arranged marriage, individual choice vs. compliance with cultural traditions, defiance, isolation, punishment.

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A Scrap of Time

A Scrap of Time: Short story by Ida FinkOver the years we have published several “holocaust” stories by Ida Fink. This is the title story of the book from which they came. A woman who had watched as men from her Polish village were rounded up and ostensibly taken away to labor camps reflects that, for those traumatized by war or disaster, time is not measured in months and years but by actions and events. Sadly, there are far too many people in the world today forced to measure time in the same way. Themes include childhood innocence, fear, deception, self-delusion, atrocity.

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Jim Baker’s Blue Jay Yarn

Jim Baker's Blue Jay Yarn: Short story by Mark TwainIn this story by Mark Twain, a man who says he can understand the language of animals relates a tall tale about a misguided but determined blue jay that accidentally drops an acorn into a knothole in the roof of a derelict house. When he looks through the hole and can’t see the acorn, he decides to fill it. The bird’s diligent but futile efforts attract thousands of other jays which stand idly by and, when the truth of the “endless hole” is finally revealed, mock him for his foolishness. Themes include language, folly, obsession, misguided persistence, social behavior.

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Just Before the War with the Eskimos

Just Before the War with the Eskimos: Short story by J. D. SalingerIn this coming-of-age story J. D. Salinger Salinger Ginnie, a fifteen-year-old schoolgirl’s outlook on life changes after visiting a controlling classmate’s home to collect money owed for shared cab fares. While waiting, she meets the girl’s older brother who appears bitter at the world after dropping out of college, being rejected for military service, and spurned in love by Ginnie’s sister. Later, she meets his effeminate, possibly gay best friend. After the visit, she no longer wants the money and asks if she can return that evening. Themes include alienation, rejection, resentment, connection, awakening.

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Everything Is Nice

Everything is Nice: Short story by Jane BowlesIn this story by Jane Bowles an American woman living alone in a Moroccan hotel is befriended by a Moslem woman who appears to know a lot about her movements. On the pretext of taking her to a wedding, the Moslem woman leads her to a dimly lit room where a group of other Moslem women ask probing questions about her life and presence in the city. Uncomfortable about the personal nature of the questions, she rudely refuses their offer of refreshments and abruptly leaves. Themes include women’s independence, identity, isolation and loneliness, cultural division.

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Busy Lines

Busy Lines: Short story by Patricia GraceThis story by Patricia Grace paints a poignant picture of an elderly widow who has lived alone for fifteen years. She comforts herself by imagining her deceased husband as a star that, along with the stars of other loved ones who have died, watches over her at night. She has given away most of her belongings and lives a spartan but contented life, ever watchful for visitors who never come and listening for a telephone that never rings. As the story ends, she “wakes” to find herself surrounded by dancing stars. Themes include independence, ageing with grace, contentment, loneliness.

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The Tale

The Tale: Short story by Joseph ConradIn this story by Joseph Conrad, a man tells his lover a tale about an English naval captain (who she later deduces to be him) racked with guilt over a decision made at sea. While sheltering from fog, he encountered a trading ship that he became increasingly suspicious of being a privateer supplying fuel to enemy U-boats. The ship’s papers were in order, and he had no legal basis for seizing it. Nevertheless, he found a way to send it and all on board to their doom without firing a shot. Themes include duty vs. morality in war, guilt. Themes include duty vs. morality in war, guilt.

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