Although written for a worthy cause (PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), many readers find this satirical vignette by Neil Gaiman very disturbing. The story provides a modern take on Jonathan Swift’s infamous 1729 satirical essay A Modest Proposal, which advocated solving an Irish famine by having the very poor sell their babies to the rich: A young healthy child well nursed, is, at a year old, a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled… OMG! Themes include greed, animal cruelty, sustainability, hubris (the superiority of man). More…
A Change of Aunts
In this story by Vivien Alcock, eleven-year-old Meg and eight-year old William are horrified when their kindly Aunt Janet gets married and is replaced by wicked, cruel Aunt Gertrude. William’s greatest fear is that Gertrude will find out about the short cut to town that runs past the haunted pond in Teppit’s Wood. Everyone knows the story of the ghost but, of course, most adults don’t believe it. His fear is realized when late one evening Gertrude forces the two children to accompany her home through the woods. It turns out to be the last mean thing she ever did! More…
The Spider Thread
Although initially published in a children’s magazine, this story from Ryūnosuke Akutagawa is equally relevant to adults. Lord Buddha takes pity on a notorious criminal and sends a “life-line” in the form of a spider’s thread to help him escape from hell. For young readers, this is a parable about selfishness and sharing. For older readers, it is also a lesson on compassion. Kandata’s fate was sealed well before he screamed at those following to get off “his” thread. True compassion would have involved finding a way to share the thread with fellow sufferers before he started climbing. More…
The Two Frogs
This Japanese folktale teaches some important lessons. Two frogs from different cities set off on a journey, each wanting to visit the other’s city. They meet on a mountaintop halfway and accidentally look back at their own city, thinking it their destination. Deciding that the two cities look the same, they each return home. Possible morals: 1) If you really want to do something, learn all you can about it before you start; and 2) Don’t look for reasons to give up in the middle of something important. They are too easy to find and you may be sorry later. More…
Big Black Good Man
In this story by Richard Wright, an elderly man working the night desk at a seedy waterfront hotel is used to handling rough customers. However, when the biggest, strangest, and blackest sailor he had ever seen asks for a room, he is irrationally terrified. Living in constant fear, he meets the sailor’s demands (whisky and a woman) for six days. As the sailor checks out, he playfully puts his hands around the man’s neck, causing him to wet his pants in fear. A year later, the sailor returns. Themes include appearance and stereotyping, racism, fear, alienation, hatred and revenge, misjudgment. More…