In this touching story by Sait Faik Abasıyanık, a Turkish father belatedly registers the birth of his sixteen-year-old son so he can get married. Fortunately, the boy looks much older than he is. The minimum marriage age is twenty, and he must be registered as being twenty-four because his bride, who he has never seen, is twenty-six! The poor boy has been plied with alcohol, and is trembling like he did at his circumcision four years earlier. After a shaky start, they emerge from the bridal chamber happy. Themes include tradition, arranged marriages, naivety, anxiety, confusion. More…
Resurrection of a Life
In this story by William Saroyan, a man reflects on his life as a ten-year-old paperboy in 1917. As many of his memories appear infused with wisdom that usually comes with age, it is difficult to distinguish between his true boyhood thoughts and adult-inspired interpretations. One area where the difference is clear is religion. As a boy, he found it difficult to accept God due to the carnage of World War 1 and other injustices in his world. As an adult, he believes there is no death, and can never be. Themes: poverty, morality, facing and accepting reality, belonging, religion. More…
The Machine That Won the War
This story by Isaac Asimov remains relevant today as technology plays an increasing role in controlling everything from military applications to crucial infrastructure. An inter-planetary war has been won, Earth is safe, and three men bask in the glory. Ironically, it wasn’t won by a machine or any of the three ‘experts’. It was won either by chance or because of problems experienced by the enemy. Pointedly, no thought is given to the rights and wrongs of the war, or the suffering on both sides. Themes include war, hubris, the fallibility of machine and human decision-making, chance. More…
We Are All One
In this Chinese folktale retold by Laurence Yep, a rich merchant offers a large reward to anyone who can cure his painful eye disease. A poor candy peddler walks deep into a forest in search of a magical herb his mother had told him about. With help from a magical centipede and thousands of ants he becomes “One” with, he returns home with something better, earns the reward and lives happily ever after. The titular theme, that we are all one, conveyed an important social message to early Chinese immigrants in America. More…
She
This story by Jason Brown contrasts the platonic first love a junior high schooler feels for the boy she has been going with since sixth grade to intense feelings she develops for a classmate with a “bad boy” reputation. Initially, the new relationship appears perfect as he treats her with respect and they discuss dreams and plans for the future. However, things take a potentially tragic turn when, confused and ashamed, she calls it off after experiencing a moment of sexual arousal during a petting session in the backseat of a car. Themes: love, sexuality, desire, passion, guilt, shame, retribution. More…