Grade 7-8 Story by Jane Yolen. A ten-year-old girl is puzzled by her dying mother’s final birthday gift – an elaborately wrapped empty box. She takes her mother’s mouthed words “It’s you” as meaning “It’s for you” or “It’s yours”. A year later, she realizes her mistake.
Short Story by Arthur Quiller-Couch. A rich man cares for an old man who almost freezes to death outside his house. The old man has a mysterious power. He begins to suck the life out of the rich man, slowly turning him into an old man as he becomes younger.
Short Story by James Salter. A woman riding a horse in the countryside is paralyzed in a fall. She estimates that she will die if help doesn’t arrive within twenty minutes. As the minutes pass, she recalls recent events in her life. Sadly, they don’t paint a very happy picture.
Quick Read by Giovanni Mosca. A teacher describes his feelings on the last day of a school year. Grades have been sent home and the long holiday is about to begin. For him, it is an especially memorable day. He is leaving teaching and moving on to a different career.
Short Story by Joy Williams. An understandably distracted parish priest goes through the motions of fulfilling his duties as his wife wastes away in hospital from an unknown blood disorder and he cares for his six-month-old granddaughter and a dog abandoned by his irresponsible daughter.