Featured Stories

Poonek

Poonek: Short story by Lim Beng HapIn this story by Lim Beng Hap, a young man returns to his riverside village in Sarawak after ten years absence at school. The only thing that has changed is that a girl who had been his constant childhood companion has grown into a beautiful woman. When the girl’s father offers her to the young man in marriage, he initially declines. The belief among his people is that refusing such an offer makes him Poonek (likely to suffer a disaster), and he soon has a warning encounter with a crocodile. Themes include tradition, superstition, patriarchy, love.

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The Slump

The Slump: Short story by John UpdikeIn this story by John Updike, a professional baseball player tries to analyze why he is no longer hitting the ball as well as he used to. He was recruited for his batting, and is worried about losing his position on the team. He identifies that the problem is psychological (in the batting cage I own the place) and concludes that he has lost his passion for the game because it has no meaning for him anymore. Themes include self-knowledge, pressure to succeed (dread), liberation, the fleeting nature of fame, frustration, futility, shame, existentialism.

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The Money-Box

Seventh Grade: Short story by Gary SotoModern readers tend to associate W. W. Jacobs with tales of the macabre, such as his famous The Monkey’s Paw. What few realize is that most of his stories were humorous. His favorite subjects were ships and those who sail in them, and how tricksters take advantage of slow-witted villagers. In this story, two sailors tired of squandering their wages in the first few days ashore trust their pay to a very steady old teetotaler who agrees to give them a moderate amount each day. Needless to say, they soon regret the decision. Themes: money, irresponsibility, temperance, duty.

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The Death of a Government Clerk

The Death of a Government Clerk: Short story by Anton ChekhovIn this playful story by Anton Chekhov, a government clerk enjoying a night at the opera is dismayed when an unexpected sneeze lands droplets on the bald head of a civilian General. Although his immediate apology is accepted, the clerk not only makes a nuisance of himself with continued apologies during the performance, but pesters the general over the next two days trying to explain what happened. As the general becomes increasingly angry, the clerk becomes increasingly anxious until the stress gets too much for him. Themes include social class (living in fear), guilt, insecurity, paranoia, anxiety.

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Born of Man and Woman

Born of Man and Woman: Short story by Richard MathesonIn this moving story by Richard Matheson, what appears to be a mutant eight-year-old child has been locked in a basement for most of its life because of his/her monstrous form and size. The child does not appear to be possessed by an evil or supernatural force and is inquisitive about the outside world. Sadly, it is beaten every time he/she ventures upstairs or attempts to look outside. The horror aspect comes from the cruelty the child suffers and the threat of impending violence if it continues. Themes include appearance, alienation, isolation and loneliness, desire for acceptance, cruelty, retaliation.

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And of Clay Are We Created

And of Clay Are We Created: Short story by Isabel AllendeThis confronting story from Isabel Allende is based on the real life plight of Omayra Sánchez, killed in a volcanic eruption in 1985. It highlights the confusion and suffering that often accompanies natural disasters, and the human and psychological tolls on both victims and responders. The irony of the story is that despite the massive resources employed by news agencies to cover the incident, they were unable to locate and bring in a pump to save the girl. Themes include man against nature, compassion, courage, faith/acceptance of fate, the healing effect of facing and sharing past tragedies.

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Tong

Tong: Short story by Francisco Sionil JoséThis story by Francisco Sionil José follows a courtship between a Filipino accountant and young Chinese woman. The relationship faces opposition from their families as inter-cultural marriages, especially Filipino-Chinese, are frowned upon by both communities. Moreover, one obstacle not easily overcome is a “tong” (debt that must be repaid). The girl is promised to a fat, bald Chinese man old enough to be her father in exchange for favors done for her family. After a passionate final night together, they are separated forever. Themes include forbidden love, cultural division and conflict, socioeconomic inequality, exploitation/human trafficking, family honor and loyalty.

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The New Dress

The New Dress: Short story by Virginia WoolfVirginia Woolf’s middle-aged, lower middle-class protagonist has gone to great lengths to have the perfect dress made for an upper middle-class party. The moment she arrives, she sees that the dress is “not right”. Highly embarrassed, she imagines everyone is mocking her. At first, she blames her situation on her working class upbringing and fantasizes about what might have been if her family had been wealthy. Then, in a moment of introspection, she remembers the good times in her life, commits to a plan for self-improvement, and leaves the party early. Themes: insecurity, self-consciousness, class, poverty, alienation, self-discovery.

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