This is the one notable short story from award-winning journalist Price Day. A seemingly ordinary man has been given a series of “special powers” that could benefit mankind. He is too slow in using the first two (the power to ground war planes and prevent road accidents), and is determined not to do the same with the third: the ability to change evil people all over the world in a way that makes them easily identifiable. When he tries to do this, things don’t go according to plan. Themes: moral superiority, tempting fate (be careful what you wish for!), karma.
Original Text / PDF / Audio (1,354 words)
Video Version
The story (and author) first came to the attention of the literary world when it appeared in a 1958 issue of Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine and the later Alfred Hitchcock Presents: My Favorites in Suspense anthology. In 1962, it featured in this episode from Series Three of the famous American TV series, The Twilight Zone. Because the story is so short, additional background and characters were added at the the beginning. Watch and enjoy!