Pyle |

Master Jacob

Post category:Grade 5-6 Stories

Master Jacob: Short story by Howard Pyle The story by Howard Pyle is similar to the “trickster” narratives found in many folktales. Three greedy community leaders (a priest, a provost, and the town mayor) decide to trick an unsuspecting farmer out of a fat pig (or is it a dog?) he is taking to market. Later, the sly farmer turns the tables with three tricks of his own. For his last trick, he tells them the truth! The tricksters woe their foolishness at the bottom of a deep pit, and the farmer ends up with a lot of their money. Themes: greed, cleverness, revenge, distrust.

The Water of Life

Post category:Grade 5-6 Stories

The Water of Life: Short story by Howard Pyle The major themes of this fairy-tale by Howard Pyle are that money and status don’t necessarily reflect the inner man, and loyalty can sometimes bring great rewards. A princess vows to marry whoever brings her a cup of water from the “Fountain of Life”. A young king sends a servant on the long and dangerous journey to collect some, and falsely claims the prize. The doubtful princess sets him two more tasks, one of which requires cutting off the faithful servant’s hand. Thanks to the Water of Life, things end happily for the servant but not so for the king.

See top menu for all 1,500+ stories

Approximate Reading Times

Quick Read: under 5 minutes
Short Story: 5 to 30 minutes
Novelette: 30 to 90 minutes
Novella: 1.5 to 2.5 hours

Other stories you may like:

Snow
Short Story by Alice Adams. A middle-aged man initially questions his decision to create a “diversion” for his first meeting with his daughter’s lesbian lover in the form of a weekend skiing trip with his girlfriend. That night, the three women reveal things about themselves that alleviate his concerns.
The 13-Carat Diamond
Short Story by Khin Mya. A young Burmese couple are having trouble making ends meet. The woman fails at running a market stall, and comes up with a plan to become rich overnight. All she has to do is find someone with a 13-carat diamond they are willing sell.
The Cranes
Quick Read by Peter Meinke. An elderly couple suffering debilitating medical issues sit in their car near isolated marshland. As they talk, they observe two aged whooping cranes. These birds, which mate for life, symbolize the couple’s enduring love. A shot rings out, and the cranes soar into the sky
The Artist / Painter
Short Story by Rabindranath Tagore. A dying man puts his wife and son under his parsimonious brother's care. The boy has a talent for art, which his mother fosters in secret. When the brother-in-law finds out and decides to put the boy in boarding school, she must take desperate action.
A Crush
Short Story by Cynthia Rylant. A socially challenged group home resident finds peace and purpose growing flowers. When he decides to anonymously share his flowers with a woman he is attracted to, he unknowingly creates positive change in the lives of two people he doesn’t even know.

Some Families, Very Large
Short Story by Jose Dalisay Jr. It is Christmas, but nine-year-old Sammy’s father is more interested in gambling than celebrating it with him. Later a grieving mother, desperate for company, welcomes them into her “family”. In a moment of reflection, the three close their eyes and imagine a better life.
The Twelve Months
Czech Folktale. An evil stepmother (surprise, surprise!) sends a young girl out into the snow to collect out of season flowers and fruit. Fortunately, she is saved and given what she needs by the gods of the twelve months of the year. Her spoiled stepsister and stepmother aren’t so lucky.
Shells
Grade 3-4 Story by Cynthia Rylant. A recently orphaned boy feels alone in the world. He misses his parents, and goes to a new school where he has no friends. Desperate for company, he looks in a pet store for ‘some small living thing’ to brighten up his life.
The Stone
Grade 5-6 Story by Lloyd Alexander. A farmer who is worried about growing old rescues one of the “fair-folk” from under a log and demands one of their famous "un-aging stones" as a reward. As often happens to those who try magic to defy nature, things start to go wrong.
Mrs. Geni in December
Short Story by Arswendo Atmowiloto. An eccentric Indonesian bridal make-up artist believes that while marriage is illogical and “humanity’s most restricting and frightening discovery”, the ceremony brings joy and happiness. She proclaims: “Let people experience joy once in their lives,” implying the ceremony may mark the end of their happiness.