Featured Stories

Average Waves in Unprotected Waters

Average Waves in Unprotected Waters: Short story by Anne TylerThe ironic title of this story from Anne Tyler is said to be symbolic of protagonist Bet’s life. Like her fisherman father, Bet faces “average waves” (life challenges) in “unprotected waters” (alone). All her life, Bet has allowed herself to be battered by the waves, taking comfort from enduring. Unfortunately, the major challenge she has faced, raising a special needs son, is far from average. Her courageous decision to institutionalize Arnold suggests an attempt to take control of her life, but leaves her feeling empty and even more alone. Themes: memory, family, life-changing choices, motherly love, identity, courage, self-determination.

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One Thousand Dollars

One Thousand Dollars: Short story by O. HenryThe twist ending in this O. Henry story has most readers believing that, after receiving an inheritance of $1,000 from an uncle and canvassing various options, the protagonist sees the error of his spendthrift ways. He then tells his uncle’s ward, who he loves and was left very little, that the money was left to her. And later, despite his profession of love being rejected, he contrives for her to receive an additional $50,000 to which he becomes entitled. Is this a story of selfless sacrifice, or could there be a further twist? Themes include change, deception, selflessness, generosity, love.

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Lamb to the Slaughter

Lamb to the Slaughter: Short story by Roald DahlThe title of this story by Roald Dahl may have a clever double meaning. On the one hand, we have a woman who uses a lamb, or rather a frozen leg of lamb, to kill her husband. On the other, it may relate to the English idiom “Like a lamb to the Slaughter”. This would lead to the question: Which of the characters (the husband, the wife or both) could be described as someone going calmly about their business, not knowing that something very unpleasant is about to happen to them? Themes include betrayal, identity/gender stereotyping, injustice and revenge.

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Mrs. Geni in December

Mrs. Geni in December: Short story by Arswendo AtmowilotoThis story by Arswendo Atmowiloto explores the life of an eccentric Indonesian bridal make-up artist. While some of her views reflect Indonesia’s Muslim culture (marrying when it is time, not of love, and support for polygyny), others challenge it (pregnant brides should be proud of their proven fertility and not hide the fact). She believes that while marriage is illogical and “humanity’s most restricting and frightening discovery”, the ceremony brings joy and happiness. She proclaims: “Let people experience joy once in their lives,” implying the ceremony may mark the end of their happiness. Themes include marriage, freedom and happiness.

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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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Glory

Glory: Short story by Lesley Nneka ArimahGlory (aka Glorybetogod), the protagonist in this Lesley Nneka Arimah story, is so screwed-up and irresponsible as to be almost likeable. As foreshadowed by her grandfather at birth, Glory’s history is one of poor life choices. At the end of the story, she has yet another decision to make. A “yes” will lead to the kind of life that most single Nigerian women her age dream of. A “no” could send her back to contemplating how a bottle of Moscato would pair with thirty gelcap sleeping pills. Themes: superstition, parental expectations, choices and consequences.

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Morphine

Morphine: Novelette by Mikhail BulgakovIn this story by Mikhail Bulgakov, a young Russian doctor receives a plea to visit a gravely ill classmate practicing in a nearby country town. Before he has a chance to leave, the friend is brought to his hospital suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. As he dies, the friend bequeaths him a notebook from which we learn of his problem (morphine addiction), how he strove and failed to overcome it, and how it gradually destroyed his life and the hopes of a nurse who loved him. Themes include isolation and loneliness, addiction, self-delusion, deception and manipulation, despair, suicide.

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The Comet

The Comet: Short story by Jayant NarlikarIn this story by Jayant Narlikar, an amateur Indian astronomer’s joy in finding an unidentified comet and having it named after him is cut short when a British scientist determines that it is on a collision course with Earth. The world’s leading minds come up with a plan nudge it off course with a rocket loaded with nuclear explosives. As the comet veers away and the experts celebrate, the astronomer’s wife claims that it was Indian tradition, rather than human ingenuity, that saved the day. Themes include discovery, pride, human ingenuity, global cooperation, science vs. superstition, tradition.

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