Novelette by Leo Tolstoy. A fallen angel must answer three questions to return to heaven. He learns the answers from the family of a poor but compassionate shoemaker, an imperious rich man, and a kind, charitable woman who has adopted the two orphaned children of a dead neighbor.
Short Story by O. Henry. A self-made millionaire is initially of the belief that money can buy anything. When his son falls in love with a woman from an aristocratic family, he learns there are two things his money can’t buy: love and family recognition among New York High Society.
Novella by Mark Twain. The citizens of Hadleyburg, which is regarded as “the most honest and upright town in all the region”, manage to offend a vindictive passing stranger. The visitor was so upset that he came up with and elaborate plan to destroy the town’s image.
Short Story by Shirley Jackson. Young Laurie has just started kindergarten. Every day he comes home with stories about Charles, a fellow student who is always getting in trouble for doing terrible things in class. At their first teacher interview, Laurie’s parents learn that there is no Charles.
Romanian Folktale. A rich man thinks how terrible it would be to die and have to leave all of his money behind. He moves to a country where the word death is unknown, only to learn the truth of the idiom, “Nothing is certain in life but death and taxes”.