Short Story by Ray Bradbury. A chronicle of the last day in the ‘life’ of an automated house that has survived a nuclear war. Although the family that inhabited it are dead, represented by shadows on the outside walls, the house has continued its daily cycle of programmed activity.
Short Story by Katherine Porter. After receiving a letter ending a love affair, and later having her purse stolen, a struggling writer realizes that if she doesn’t do more to take charge of her life and stop “letting things go”, she will end up with nothing.
Short Story by R. K. Narayan. A working-class father is tortured by guilt over his inability to spend time with his young daughter and provide some of the luxuries other children enjoy. When the overworked man asks for an evening off to take her to a movie, he is refused.
Short Story by Leo Tolstoy. A parable about how to succeed in life. A king believes he would never fail in a task if he always knew the answer to three questions. An experience with a forest hermit and injured assassin teach him what he needs to know.
European Folktale. When a fisherman is granted a wish by an enchanted fish, his greedy wife sends him back several times asking for more. Her final wish is so outrageous that the fish either will not or cannot grant it. The fisherman is no doubt happy with what happens next.