In Shells by Cynthia Rylant, a recently orphaned boy named Michael is having problems adjusting to living with his aunt Esther. She has never had children, and is very set in her ways. Michael feels alone in the world. He misses his parents, and goes to a new school where he has no friends. Desperate for company, Michael looks in a pet store for ‘some small living thing’ to brighten up his life. He finds just the right pet. When Aunt Esther shows an interest in it, both Michael and the pet start to come out of their shells. More…
Waldo
In this science fiction fantasy by Robert Heinlein, Earth needs help from “Waldo”, an eccentric genius born with degenerative muscle weakness. Angry at mankind after being cheated out of a ground-breaking invention, Waldo lives as a recluse in a gravity-free home in orbit above the planet. Earth’s problem is a series of physically impossible breakdowns in “deKalbs”, radiant power receptors used to power everything from vehicles to cities. With help from a little magic, he not only solves this but also makes three other important discoveries. Themes: identity, conquering disability, self-reliance and independence, science vs. “magic”. More…
The Reluctant Dragon
In the popular legend of St. George and the Dragon, a courageous soldier rescues a princess chosen as a tribute (and next meal) for a marauding dragon. This witty, light-hearted tale from Kenneth Grahame parodies this legend. However, there is no princess and the dragon in question is friendly, cultured and, as he admits himself, lazy. The major theme is that the best way to resolve a problem is to sit down and talk about it. Other themes: friendship, daring to be “different” (Boy and dragon); judging by appearances, bloodsports (the villagers); maintaining face/reputation, compassion (St. George). More…
Kusum
In this story by Khushwant Singh, a young university student belatedly has a sexual awakening. Overweight and physically unattractive, she has compensated by being a model student and good girl with a capital G. Accepting her lot, she has shunned boys and had no interest in sex. That is until her passions are stirred by an accidental encounter with a cheeky young street hawker who makes an obscene, possibly flirtatious gesture at her. She puts on make-up, looks in her mirror, and an attractive, dark-eyed girl smiles back. Themes include identity, self-image, alienation, self-confidence, physical vs. inner beauty, sexuality. More…
The Horla
This story by Guy de Moupassant describes a man’s slow descent into madness, convinced that an invisible being he unknowingly lured from a passing ship is preying on his mind. As the entity (supposedly an otherworldly species of vampire that feeds on the life force of those it attaches to) gets stronger, he begins to lose his free will. Unable to flee, he traps it in his bedroom and burns his house to the ground. When this doesn’t work, he contemplates an even more extreme solution. Themes include reality vs. illusion, the unknown/supernatural, terror, madness, despair. More…