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Legros, Alphonse. Blind and Disabled Beggar, Alphonse Legros. 1884. Web. 26 Jul 2026. (https://ark.digitalcommonwealth.org/ark:/50959/vx021z65s)

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"The Beggar and the Diamond" by Stephen King

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"The Beggar and the Diamond" by Stephen King

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Best Stories - Spencer Herberger

Link: https://litarchive.online/the-beggar-and-the-diamond

One day, an elderly man named Ramu walks along a road, worn down and being watched above by God and the archangel Uriel. Pitying him, Uriel asks God to help him and he does, dropping a massive diamond directly in the path of Ramu in order to help him financially. However, before reaching the diamond, Ramu stops to reflect on his life and expresses how grateful he is to still be able to do things like walk, see, and live in his old age. In fact, in order to test just how bad things could actually be, Ramu decides to begin walking forward whilst pretending he is blind, just to stay humble. As he passes the enormous diamond, his eyes remain closed to both the gem and the fortunes that could have possibly been his. Witnessing this, God takes back the diamond and instead gives Ramu a replacement walking cane and the archangel Uriel asks God if he has just taught them a lesson to which God simply replies, “I don’t know, have I?”

The themes of the story revolve around gratitude, providence, and fate that doesn't resolve into tidy moral lessons, as Ramu's virtue cost him the very thing that was meant to better his life.

1. Does Ramu's decision to close his eyes and walk forward represent wisdom, or self-limitation? Does it reveal anything else about Ramu as a person?

2. Does God's final line say anything about the nature of divine intervention, or perhaps even religion in a more broad sense? Does it regard divine intervention as something ironic or more?

3. Is the tree branch a fitting replacement for the diamond? Why or why not?

I like this story because I think it teaches you to be humble and be grateful for what you have in front of you in your control, but I think the story also attempts to communicate that some people simply cannot be helped. I have experienced this a lot in my life and I almost saw myself in Uriel or God, unable to really guide people in my life but restricted to just watch them from afar.

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The Gift of the Magi is about a young couple, Jim and Della, who want to buy each other meaningful Christmas gifts, but can't afford it. Della sells her long hair to buy Jim a chain for his watch, and Jim sells his watch to buy Della a set of combs for her hair. In the end, neither of them can use their gifts, but their sacrifices show how much they love each other. The story shows how the true value of a gift comes from the thought behind it, not its price.

1. Why do you think Jim and Della were willing to give up their most valuable possessions for each other?

2. Which character's sacrifice do you think was greater? Why?

3. Do you think the ending is happy or sad? Why?

I love this story because it shows that the best gifts come from love and sacrifice, not from how expensive they are. Even though the ending is bittersweet, it reminds readers that caring about someone is more important than material things. I also like how the unexpected ending makes you stop and think about what it really means to give. I would recommend this story because it's short, memorable, and has a message that will always be relevant.

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https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sTUpTCBhFnIZTWrtQFlDoKDv94jajRFI/view?usp=sharing

"A Wife's Story" by Bharati Mukherjee follows Panna Bhatt, an Indian woman who has left her husband back home to get her doctorate in special education in New York City. I think what makes the story so interesting is that it's told completely from her point of view, so you really get to see how she slowly changes as she builds a life on her own. She makes friends with other outsiders, learns how to get around one of the most complicated cities in the world, and starts noticing how differently people see her in America. When her husband comes to visit, the distance between who she used to be and who she's becoming gets really obvious, and it gets uncomfortable. She notices his obsession with buying things, his prejudices, and how much he needs her to be the traditional wife she isn't really anymore. The central themes are identity and reinventing yourself, the immigrant experience of feeling stuck "in the middle" of two cultures, the tension between tradition and modernity in a marriage, and the complicated, unresolved cost of a woman finding her own freedom.

Three discussion questions

1. Panna's husband is never actually named in the whole story, and she points out that in a traditional marriage a wife still doesn't call her husband by his first name. Why do you think Mukherjee chooses to keep him nameless, and what does it tell us about the power dynamics in their marriage?

2. The story ends with Panna standing alone in front of a mirror, seeing herself as "free, afloat, watching somebody else." What do you make of this ending? Is her freedom actually a win, or is she losing something too? Point to specific moments in the text that back up your reading.

3. Panna is kind of stuck in between two worlds she doesn't fully belong in America, but she's also drifting away from India. Where in the story do you see this in-between feeling the most, and do you think it's something that can ever really be resolved?

Why I love this story and why I recommend it

I love "A Wife's Story" because it never gives you an easy answer. Mukherjee doesn't tell you whether Panna's independence is a good thing or a sad thing, she just lets you sit with how complicated it is. Panna is discovering that she's capable and confident and has her own desires, but at the same time she's drifting away from her marriage and everything that used to define her, and I think that tension is what makes it feel so real. It reminds me of how growing up isn't always this clean happy thing, sometimes gaining yourself means losing something else. The writing is also really sharp, and there are all these tiny details (a missing ring, his new glasses, a stranger taking her picture) that end up carrying so much weight. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes stories about identity, or the immigrant experience, or honestly any story that trusts you to think for yourself instead of spelling everything out. It's short, but it stays with you.

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https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2013/02/11/the-embassy-of-cambodia

The Embassy of Cambodia by Zadie Smith is about Fatou, a woman from Ivory Coast who works as a maid for a wealthy family in London. The story seems quiet at first because it mostly follows her everyday life, but that is what makes it interesting. Fatou goes swimming, goes to church, and passes by the Embassy of Cambodia, but underneath all of that the story is really about class and being treated like you are invisible. She works for a family that depends on her labor but does not really respect her as a person. The repeated “Pock, smash” sound from the badminton game makes the embassy feel mysterious, but it also feels connected to the way power moves in the story. Fatou is not helpless, but her choices are still limited by the people and systems around her. I think the central theme is how someone can be surrounded by people but still feel unseen. I chose this story because it is simple on the surface, but it says a lot without being too dramatic. I recommend it because it makes you think about immigrant labor, class, and the people who do important work while being ignored.

Questions:

1. Why do you think Fatou keeps noticing the Embassy of Cambodia?

2. What do you think the repeated “Pock, smash” sound adds to the story?

3. Do you think Fatou becomes more free by the end, or is she still stuck in another way?

I chose this story because it feels quiet, but it still says a lot. Fatou is not going through one huge dramatic moment, but her everyday life shows how easy it is for working people and immigrants to be ignored. I connected it to Long Beach because of places like Cambodia Town, where immigrant families and small Cambodian businesses are a big part of the community. A lot of those businesses keep culture alive through food, work, and family, but people can still overlook the labor behind it. The story made me think about how immigrants can help shape a city but still not always feel fully seen or respected.

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The Sneetches by Dr. Seuss tells the story of two groups of Sneetches, one with stars on their bellies and one without, who treat each other differently because of this small physical difference. The Star-Belly Sneetches believe they are superior and exclude the Plain-Belly Sneetches from games, parties, and friendships. A salesman named Sylvester McMonkey McBean takes advantage of their prejudice by charging them to add and remove stars until everyone becomes confused about who belongs to which group. Eventually, the Sneetches realize that these differences are meaningless and decide that everyone should be treated equally. The story explores themes of discrimination, social status, identity, equality, and how prejudice can be exploited for profit.

1. What is the role of Sylvester McMonkey McBean, and what group of people does the author use as reference?

2. Based on the story, what are Seuss' views on capitalism?

3. Who do you think is "at fault" in the story and why?

My love for this story goes back to sophomore year of high school on the very first day of my AP US History class. My teacher, Mr. Davis, used this book as both an introduction to himself and as an introduction to views that might be considered different from the norm where we grew up. Unlike what most American kids would have been taught by their parents about how communists were bad or wrong, he threw us into the class by immediately showing us a differing opinion unlike anything that most of us had ever seen at the time. This story illustrates the futility of judging other people for their small differences, which can have large, long-lasting consequences for both sides. The story also shows the danger both groups face, simply because it gives opportunists the ability to capitalize on the weaknesses and hatred between the two groups. For a supposed kids' book to be able to show such deep and complex themes illustrates the impact and importance of not only this book but all short stories as a whole.

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Muzhgan Akbaryar

Story: The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry

Story Link:

https://www.gutenberg.org/files/7256/7256-h/7256-h.htm

Summary:

The Gift of the Magi is about a young couple named Jim and Della. They love each other very much, but they do not have enough money to buy Christmas gifts. Della sells her beautiful hair to buy a gift for Jim, and Jim sells his watch to buy a gift for Della. In the end, they cannot use the gifts they bought, but they learn that their love is more important than money or expensive presents. The story is about love, sacrifice, and kindness.

Discussion Questions:

1. Why do you think Jim and Della made such big sacrifices for each other?

2. What do you think the story teaches us about love and giving?

3. If you were Jim or Della, would you do the same thing? Why or why not?

Why I Recommend This Story:

I like this story because it is simple, touching, and easy to understand. It reminds me that the best gifts come from the heart, not from money. I think everyone can learn something from this story, so I recommend reading it.

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"The Road Not Taken" by Harry Turtledove

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"The Road Not Taken" by Harry Turtledove

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Link: https://www.eyeofmidas.com/scifi/Turtledove_RoadNotTaken.pdf

"The Road Not Taken" by Harry Turtledove is a Sci-Fi story about the first encounter of human beings with an alien race. The story posits that the secret to space travel is incredibly easy, but once species discover it, they don't make any other technological advances. Earth is invaded by one of these species, the Roxolans, who resemble conquistadors with a wooden spaceship and matchlock pistols. They're very quickly defeated by humans who have far superior technology. The story considers technological achievement and what it means for the world.

1. How does Turtledove represent humanity versus the Roxolans? Do you think he's portraying either race as better or worse?

2. Do you think humans as portrayed in the story will do good with the secret to space travel? Why or why not?

3. The title "Road Not Taken" is a direct reference to the poem by Robert Frost. How does that relate to the story?

I chose this story because I've thought about it very often since I first read it. I think it has an interesting take on how humans are often portrayed in Sci-Fi, leaning more into the "Humans are special" side rather than all aliens being more cool and powerful and smarter than us. I think it's a great read for people who don't like Sci-Fi as much as well, since it's not very technical and heavy like a lot of Sci-Fi ends up being.

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Lisa Shreve

In the "Landlady," Roald Dahl tells the story of Billy Weaver, a young man who arrives in Bath looking for a place to stay. He chooses a charming boarding house run by a kind, welcoming landlady. Through Billy's perspective the boarding house appears charming and pleasant. However, Dahl's use of language, symbolism, and foreshadowing creates subtle clues that reveal things are not as harmless as they seem.

Dahl masterfully creates suspense through his descriptive language. He first presents a peaceful like setting but disrupts the image with "but the air was deadly cold and the wind was like a flat blade of ice." This contrast immediately hints that the comforting appearance may not reflect reality. Billy hastily deicides to stay at the boarding house after looking in the window to an inviting sitting room with a dachshund curled up on the hearth. He reassures himself that, "Animals were usually a good sign in a place like this." This statement becomes ironic when the reader later discovers that the animals are actually taxidermized, symbolizing death hidden behind a pleasant exterior. Dahl also foreshadows Billy's fate through the guest book. Billy recognizes the names of the only two previous guests, yet the landlady insists they are still staying there, even though they have mysteriously disappeared. Her unusual fixation on them, combined with Billy's growing sense that he has heard their names before, signals to the reader that something sinister has happened and that Billy may soon share the same fate.

1. What clues does Dahl give the reader that things are not what they seem?

2. Why does Billy ignore the warning signs about the Landlady and the boarding house?

3. Why do you think Dahl never specifically tells the readers Billy's fate?

I chose this story because it is one of my favorite texts for introducing literary devices to young readers learning to analyze literature. It is rich with symbolism, foreshadowing, and suspense, allowing students to recognize how authors use these elements to create meaning. The clues that hint at the danger awaiting Billy are easy for students to identify, making the story and engaging way to practice close reading and literary analysis while engaging readers of all ages.

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Niloofar Haidari - "The Red Shoes" by Lavanya Vasudevan

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Niloofar Haidari - "The Red Shoes" by Lavanya Vasudevan

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https://www.narrativemagazine.com/issues/spring-2026/fiction/red-shoes-lavanya-vasudevan

“The Red Shoes” by Lavanya Vasudevan is about a young girl who is having a coming of age ceremony. During the ceremony, she does not want to sit quietly or follow what the women in her family expect from her. Instead she puts on red shoes and starts dancing. Later, when an older man comes as a suitor, she dances again and tries to escape. Her family chases her and tries to remove the shoes, but the shoes have become stuck in her feet. The story becomes dark when the family uses violence to stop her. Some main themes in the story are freedom, family expectations, obedience, and the pressure placed on girls to follow traditions.

Discussion questions:

1. What do the red shoes represent in the story?

2. Why does the girl dance during the ceremony instead of following her family's tradition?

3. Why does the family use violence to stop the girl?

This story really stood out to me, and I wanted to share it with the class because, as an Afghan woman, I have faced this kind of problem many times. Many Afghan families restrict their daughters while giving more freedom to their sons. I have always wondered why they do that. They question and put limits on the types of clothes I wear, where I go, and how I cover myself, while the same things are considered normal for my brothers. Whenever I ask, they say they do this to protect us. Taking away girls’ freedom does not mean protection; it means ignoring their human rights.

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Alvin Chan

"A Sound of Thunder" by Ray Bradbury is a story about a hunter who went on a trip back in time to hunt dinosaurs. Anything you change in the past will change the future. The guides instructed everyone to stay aware of their surroundings and proceed with caution in their journal of finding dinosaurs because going off course would be detrimental. The company has already pinpointed the location and made them travel back in time right before the expected death of the selected dinosaurs. The company claims that if something was bound to happen, like a dinosaur dying from getting caught by a mudslide, then it is okay to kill the dinosaur and take it back to the future. However, when the main character, Eckels, was on the path to the prey, he was startled by a T. rex and his foot accidentally went off course and killed a butterfly. When Eckels returns to the future, he notices that his language, president, and environment have changed. This was the result of killing the butterfly, causing a chain reaction to occur, the butterfly effect. The story's central themes include the butterfly effect, responsibility, and arrogance. Every tiny difference you make could change the outcome of the future. Take responsibility for all your actions and don't let money make you blind and arrogant.

1. Does the story suggest that time travel is inherently dangerous, or is it dangerous only when humans misuse the ability?

2. Why does Burdbury use a butterfly as the trigger of the butterfly effect? What does the butterfly symbolize?

3. Travis believes that Eckels was to blame for the butterfly event. Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?

I love this story because I always wanted to time travel. Change the horrible decisions and mistakes I made. I also wanted to reunite with my childhood friends whom I lost contact with. Through reading this story, I have reconsidered my desire to time travel because every small change you make could create a butterfly effect. I would recommend it to anyone who loves science fiction and the concept of time travel.

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The “original” Cinderella story (when really I mean the altered version by the Brothers Grimm, since I didn’t grow up with Perrault’s original version) follows the young woman Cinderella after her mother’s death and her father’s new marriage. At the beginning of the story, she asks her father for the first branch that brushes against his hat as a gift when he goes to the fair, which she plants on her mother’s grave and weeps until it grows into a magical tree; it gifts her with a new gown and shoes for each of the three nights of the ball. Despite her family attempting to keep her from trying on the shoe, she’s able to convince the prince that she was the one he danced with and they’re able to wed, with her stepsisters being punished in the last few lines for their misdeeds and disceptions. The central themes revolve around justice/retribution (seeing as Cinderella not once lost hope with the cards she was dealt in life and kept going despite it all) and resilience (“good” is able to triumph over “evil” in the end).

1. Do you think Cinderella’s mother’s spirit was the tree? Or the bird that granted the wishes?

2. In your opinion, do you think the stepsisters’ punishment was warranted? Should Cinderella’s father and stepmother have received the same punishment or something similar?

3. The Brothers Grimm version of Cinderella is significantly changed from the original French fairytale: no fairy godmother, no wand, no pumpkin-turned-carriage, changes in punishment, etc. What do you think this changes for the reader in how the story comes across?

I’m a big fan of fairy tales; mainly for the nostalgia since I grew up with them, and partially because they’re what helped shape me as a fantasy writer today. I would recommend it for the fantasy elements first and foremost (that’s just a me thing, really), but also for the main lessons it teaches the reader.

Cinderella - Fairy Tale by the Brothers Grimm

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https://xpressenglish.com/our-stories/eleven/?utm_source=

Summary: "Eleven" follows Rachel, a girl on her eleventh birthday, who is forced to wear an old red sweater that doesn't belong to her after her teacher mistakenly believes it is hers. Rachel is too intimidated to speak up, and the experience leaves her feeling embarrassed and powerless. Through this event, Sandra Cisneros explores how growing older does not mean leaving childhood emotions behind. The story's central themes include identity, growing up, self-expression, and the influence that authority figures can have on a person's confidence.

Discussion questions:

Why do you think Rachel struggles to tell her teacher that the sweater is not hers? What does this reveal about her character?

Sandra Cisneros writes that people carry all of their previous ages inside them. Do you agree with this idea? Why or why not?

How might the story have been different if Rachel had spoken up earlier? What message does the ending send about confidence and self-expression?

Personal Statement:

I recommend Eleven because, as someone with a Mexican background, I found Rachel's experiences especially relatable. Although the story is about a young girl's embarrassing moment at school, it also reflects the challenges that many Mexican American children face when they feel misunderstood or unheard. Rachel's struggle to speak up to her teacher reminded me of how cultural background, family expectations, or feeling different can sometimes make it difficult to find your voice. Sandra Cisneros captures these emotions in a way that feels honest and authentic. I appreciate that the story shows how growing up is not just about getting older, but also about learning to stand up for yourself and embrace who you are. I think this story is worth reading because it encourages empathy and reminds us that everyone carries experiences that shape their identity.

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https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5838a24729687f08e0321a15/t/5bf2bdfa562fa782871c6252/1542635003373/The-Paper-Menagerie+by+Ken+Liu.pdf

Summary:
Ken Liu’s “The Paper Menagerie” follows Jack who's a biracial Chinese American boy whose mother creates magical origami animals by breathing the life into folded wrapping paper. As a child, Jack hass always loved the animals, especially his paper tiger, Laohu. In addition, he's always had a close bond with his mother. However, after experiencing racism and a pressure to fit in with his white American peers at school, Jack begins to reject his Chinese identity, mother’s native language, and also the paper animals she made for him. Years after his mother dies, Jack eventually finds a letter hidden inside Laohu in which his mother had written to him about the trauma she'd experienced growing up in China and the happiness she felt when Jack was born. After reading this, Jack finally understands the depth of her love for him, but his realization came too late. The story explores cultural assimilation; internalized racism; immigrant trauma, language, memory, regret; and the complicated love between a parent and child.

Discussion Questions:

1. How does Laohu’s condition reflect Jack’s changing relationship with his mother and Chinese identity?

2. How does language shape what Jack understands, or fails to understand, about his mother?

3. How much of Jack’s rejection of his heritage comes from his own choices, and how much of it comes from racism and pressure in order to fit in?

I liked this story because it turned something as small and fragile as a piece of folded paper into a symbol about family, culture, and love. The magical animals make the beginning feel imaginative and comforting, but at the same time the magic becomes heartbreaking as Jack distances himself from his mother and everything she represents. I recommend “The Paper Menagerie” because it's emotionally moving while also raising questions about belonging, assimilation, racism, language, and regret. I also liked how the ending changed the meaning of some of the earlier moments in the story and also showed how people can sometimes understand the sacrifices their parents made for them only after it's too late.

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"Good Country People" by Flannery O'Connor

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"Good Country People" by Flannery O'Connor

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“Good Country People” follows Joy, formerly known as Hulga, a philosophy PhD with a wooden leg who looks down on religion and people she sees as simple-minded. When a Bible salesman named Manley Pointer visits her mother’s farm, Hulga assumes he is an innocent religious boy whom she can easily manipulate and “educate.” However, once they are alone in a hayloft, Manley reveals that his religious character is a front. She finds that the Bible he holds is hollow, concealing contents that would be seen as “unholy,” such as pornographic playing cards, alcohol, and a box of contraceptives. On top of this, the man would then steal Joy’s wooden leg, something sacred to her. Through Manley, the priest, the story exposes the hypocrisy of those who use religion as a cover to gain trust while acting cruelly behind closed doors. At the same time, Hulga is also humbled because her ego and belief that she is smarter than everyone turn out to be another kind of blindness.

1. What does the wooden leg symbolize, and why is its theft the story's central violation?

2. If you removed all religious references from the story, would its curveball at the end still work the same?

3. Why do you think O'Connor chose those specific three items (whiskey, playing cards, contraceptives) to hide inside the Bible case instead of anything else?

I initially read this story for my critical thinking class, and as someone who is struggling with religion, it would, of course, catch my eye. Although I am constantly trying to reconnect with Catholicism, I always keep an attentive eye toward its followers, whether they are Christian or whatnot, as I've always had a feeling that there is a front or sort of mask at play in terms of religion. Seeing Manley, the priest, reveal his true face and intentions is a real curveball for the reader, as we all expect to see him as an honest man of God. I feel like, with that, the story can teach its readers not to always assume that holy individuals can do no harm.

Good Country People

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Rizal Pacheco

https://www.facinghistory.org/resource-library/gate-4-naomi-shihab-nye

Summary

Gate A-4 is a story about kindness for the sake of being kind. When an old grandma who can’t speak English is panicking about her delayed flight, the narrator steps in to help her out. To ease her and make her feel comfortable, they started talking together, sharing connections and introducing each other to friends. People joined in, sharing food, socializing amongst each other, and enjoying each other’s presence during the delay. Even though nobody needed to join in, nobody needed to help her, they all came together to create a small community to ease each other’s worries in the stressful time.

Discussion Questions

1. There’s many different ways in which people communicate in this story. How do the different modes of communication affect how their messages are understood or interpreted?

2. Symbolism is plentiful throughout this story, from the cookies the grandma shares to the plant the grandma carries with her. What is the importance of the symbols in the story, and how does this usage of symbolism contribute to the themes in the story?

3. While there are boys and men present in the story, such as the grandma’s son or the narrator’s father, only girls and women are physically mentioned to be in the airport, sharing and building this community. What is the significance of this community of specifically women?

Personal Statement

In a competitive world, it can sometimes feel like it’s you against everybody else. Whether it be for college, for jobs, for relationships, or anything else, it’s painfully easy to just see many things as conflicts and competition, and anything that doesn’t give you an advantage only puts you behind everyone else. Gate A-4 is a story that sits you down and shows you that life is not always a competition, and that you are not alone. Not a single character in the story is coming together into this community for some reward for being nice. Nobody is there to prove they are better than anyone else. Everyone is there because they want to be there, because they want to help, because they want to build this community together. This display of unabashed kindness is one that I believe we can all strive for in life, to be able to help each other out for the sake of helping.

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Seuss. (12 Aug. 1971). "The Lorax." Random House Publishing

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The Lorax

Dr. Seuss

https://yale.learningu.org/download/91736886-e31e-47c0-8a3b-f1c1843a6f7c/H3146_The%20Lorax_Storybook.pdf

"The Lorax" by Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel) tells the story of a young boy who wanders through a dead, gloomy forest. After coming across a tall building with some unknown man in the top, he pays a small price to hear the story of the Once-ler. The Once-ler, long ago, came to this forest when it was teeming with life; the Truffula Trees, in particular, piqued his interest, so he began making their tufts into an all-purpose product called a Thneed. However, after having chopped down a tree for its tufts, The Lorax (spokesperson of the trees) becomes upset. He urges the Once-ler to halt his Thneed production, but to no avail. The Once-ler only increases his operation, to the point where the things making the forest so appealing start to suffer. The Lorax decides to send all the animals away, for their own good. Eventually, all the trees in the forest have been chopped down. The only ones left in the forest are the Once-ler and the Lorax. The Lorax departs somberly through the clouds of smog, leaving only a podium reading,"UNLESS." This unless refers to the state of the forest: it will be this way unless someone cares enough to restore it. The Once-ler now gives the boy the final Truffula Tree seed, imploring him to protect the new forest any way he can.

1. What role do the effects of capitalism play in the story? What analogues can be drawn to today's world?

2. How significant is the Thneed product to the world this story is set in? What does this level of significance say about the priorities of our own society?

3. Can the fate of the environment really be entrusted to a young boy? Why do you think the Once-ler doesn't just replant the forest himself?

I really love "The Lorax." It was a huge part of my childhood; I can remember my dad reading this to me many times before bed. Despite having not read it for over a decade, its messages and depth still linger in the back of my mind. And though it is a children's book, it is truly thought provoking, even for a more mature audience. I find myself wondering what the characters are thinking, and what their place in the world is. I consider myself an environmentalist, and I believe this story is one thing that really sparked my care for nature. It also gives young children a place to grow their compassion and develop a moral compass by asking which of the characters have moral pitfalls, and where they appear. I love this story because it contains so much depth in an extremely succinct form.

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ELEVEN
by Sandra Cisneros

https://www.nciea.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Eleven_Sandra_Cisneros.pdf

A somewhat shy girl who is turning 11, is looking forward to the celebration her family is having for her at home, but first she must get through a crummy day at school, and an insensitive teacher assumes that she is the owner of a dirty, very used sweater that has been on the floor of the classroom coat closet for awhile.  She ends up making the girl put the sweater on; she is unable to protest very much that it is not hers; she ends up crying uncontrollably in front of the class as she is forced to wear the thing which doesn’t fit at all.  During the story she wishes she were something other than 11, because she still feels like a child at this point, not growing up as she is expected to be.

1) Is there some evidence or feeling suggested that the ugly red sweater may really belong to the girl and she simply wants to be rid of it?

2) What are some examples or moments in the story when the girl seems to be thinking she really isn’t “11”?

3) What does reaching the age of 11 mean to her?  Why does the fact that her mother will have a cake and celebration for her at home not help?

I love this story because I think for a lot of people, elementary school has fun and horrible memories.  There’s always in every class, and you’re with these people hours and hours day after day for years, a small group of kids that are always laughed at or they don’t fit in, and the smart ones make it work for them or hide their pain.  The tormented kids have no defense.  I wasn’t in the last category but I think of those kids today and wonder how they ever became adults, and for the bullies, why life always seemed to be never a problem to them.  This girl I have seen in school and I’ve been this girl, unable to lash out like I wanted to.  It’s really a sweet and sad story and you really get that feeling of childhood but there’s a dark side to it too—the kid that tries to help but you’re in so much pain you think they’re stupid, the “adult” who is clueless as to what’s happening, and so on.  We never think about these kinds of things when we’re not experiencing them anymore, but for good or bad, this brings them all back.

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link: https://www.stcypriansprimaryacademy.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/All-Summer-in-a-Day-by-Ray-Bradbury.pdf

All Summer In A Day by Ray Bradbury is a story about a group of children that live on Venus. Margot, is one of the few children that still remembers the warmth and the sight of the sun. On Venus it rains all day, every day. The sun is about to come out for the first time in 7 years and all of the children are extremely excited especially Margot. The other children become very jealous of Margot and end up locking her in a closet during the short duration of the sun's appearance. As she's locked in the closet all the children play in the sun and have a great time. It isn't until it starts to rain again that they finally remember that they had locked her up. There's a lot of remorse and guilt and grief in the air and then they finally free Margot from the closet. The story ends there.

Discussion Questions:

Why do the other children feel such jealousy for Margot?

How does this story showcase "groupthink"?

What message do you think Ray Bradbury wanted to convey with his final scene, letting Margot out of the closet?

This story is one of my favorites, although it's very sad. I think it's mainly because it left such a profound impact on me the first time I read it. I felt like sobbing for poor Margot. I felt sadness about everytime I ever felt alone or like the world wasn't on my side. The beautiful light she has and her memory that kept her going even when she was sad was ruined by those that were jealous of her and her past. I think this story reminds me of how unfair life and others can be. It's a good reminder that others have experiences like that too. I recommend this story because it's very humanizing and relatable. I also think it's very well written and super impactful.

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Link

https://www.scribd.com/document/748246668/Summer-Ghost-Complete-Seven-Seas-Kobo-LNWNCentral

Summary

"Summer Ghost" by Otsuichi follows three teenagers who meet online and travel to an abandoned airport where they believe they can see the "Summer Ghost," the spirit of a young woman who only appears under specific conditions. Each of them is struggling with personal problems and questions about life, death, and their future. As they spend time together and learn more about the ghost's past, they begin to understand the importance of facing their fears instead of running away from them. The story explores themes of grief, loneliness, friendship, hope, and the value of living even when life feels difficult.

Questions

1) Why do you think the Summer Ghost only appears to people who are close to death, and what does this symbolize?

2) How does each of the three teenagers change after meeting the Summer Ghost? Which character's growth did you find the most meaningful?

3) What message do you think Otsuichi is trying to share about life and death through the ending of the story?

Why I Recommend This Story

I've always enjoyed reading Otsuichi's novels because he writes emotional stories that combine mystery with meaningful themes. I first read Summer Ghost a while ago, and recently decided to read it again. Reading it a second time helped me notice details and emotions that I had missed before. Even though the story deals with heavy topics like death and depression, it ultimately leaves readers with a hopeful message about choosing to live and finding connections with others. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys thoughtful stories that stay with you long after you finish reading.

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https://fullreads.com/literature/the-lottery/

The Lottery by Shirley Jackson is an early midcentury tale of simple American life with a dark twist. As a small town gathers in the city square, pleasantries are exchanged among its towns' people. The annual event is something we are alluded to believe that the community enjoys and looks forward to. Children play; men speak of the day's responsibilities and women catch up on the latest conversations. All the while we learn of a looming black box. A box weathered from years of this familiar gathering. With its description, we begin to feel the darkness of the box and what it holds. Along with The Lottery itself.

Questions:

1. Is this a metaphor for democracy?

2. What is the connection to the corn and the reason for the event?

3. Can tradition be a negative when the rest of society is progressing?

In choosing this popular and even quoted as possibly the best written short story of our time; I realized it held so much more weight than what it outwardly seems. It had me questioning the cruelty behind kindness so much of American culture has. The illusion of perfection, the peaceful small town and governmental actions all circulate in a vortex of the mind while reading this classic. I highly recommend this if you have ever questioned why we follow “the rules” of society or though deeply about why we continue to follow outdated traditions or beliefs.

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There Will Come Soft Rain by Ray Bradbury

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There Will Come Soft Rain by Ray Bradbury

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https://www.btboces.org/Downloads/7_There%20Will%20Come%20Soft%20Rains%20by%20Ray%20Bradbury.pdf

The story follows a fully automated “smart home” carrying out its daily routine. However, no humans are there to receive these services. Outside the house stands alone a ruined city that glows with radioactivity. Throughout the day, set on a timely schedule, the house blindly serves its missing creators. It conducts itself accordingly until the house encounters a disaster of a falling tree crashing through the window in which it frantically attempts to put out the fire based on automated commands. By dawn, the house lies in smoke and rubble leaving only a single wall standing that endlessly repeats the date into the empty morning.

Discussion Questions:

What do you think this story suggests about the relationship between human technology and the forces of nature?

Does this story suggest that technology is inherently evil or destructive or merely a neutral mirror of its creators?

What point is Bradbury making about technology’s ability to protect itself from unpredictable forces?

After reading the story "Zimmer Land" I had a moment to reflect on one of my favorite novels that I read during high school called "Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury. I always enjoyed the concepts that he brings to light in a dystopian universe. I recalled he had written a few short stories as well and decided to look a few up and stumbled upon this interesting piece that just so happens to be set in the same year August 4 2026. This seems to be quite fitting story to read in this current age of technological advancements.

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The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb by Agatha Christie

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The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb by Agatha Christie

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In The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb by Agatha Christie, a detective named Poirot is called summoned to solve a series of deaths possibly related to a curse from the opening of an ancient Egyptian Tomb. The central theme to this short story is myth vs. facts, and mystery. Superstition and fear are abound, but Poirot never loses his wit, ultimately discovering what's behind the curse of the tomb.

How does Poirot's rationality help in solving this case?

How would the fear of a curse make this mystery harder to solve?

What do you think is the central theme of The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb?

I love this story because the first book I was ever gifted was an Agatha Christie book at the age of 10. I enjoy all of Christie's mysteries and adaptations on television.

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https://archive.vcu.edu/english/engweb/webtexts/hour/

I chose "The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin. This story is about a woman, Louise Mallard, who suffers from heart trouble. She is told by her sister and husband's friend that her husband had died in a railroad accident. She initially grieves but then feels a sense of relief and happiness when she realizes she is now free from the constraints of marriage. After being in her room she is convinced by her sister to come down stairs and as they are coming down she comes to the surprise of her husband opening the door and walking in. He was nowhere near the accident scene and the mixture of emotions from seeing her husband alive kills her. The doctors then say she died from “heart disease--of the joy that kills.” The central themes of the story are the oppression of women in marriage at the time, freedom, and independence. Women’s roles were limited to domestic roles therefore giving up their freedom and depending on their husbands financially. Even though she was in a happy marriage she still felt that demand of following roles of a wife and felt she had no independence or say over herself.

Questions:

1. What is the story suggesting about the institution of marriage at that time, even when the husband is kind?

2. What does the open window and the description of the nature seen through it symbolize?

3. What do the doctors mean when they claim she died of heart disease--of the joy that kills? What does this imply about her having to returning to her old life?

I love this story and would recommend to others because it comes to show how you never know what is going on in someones life behind closed doors.  Even though they are shown having a good marriage Louise deep down feels that she is trapped and has no freedom. Also the use of symbolism in it gets your mind thinking and allows different interpretations and views to the story.

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A picture from a screenplay based on the short story, produced by Jacob Turrentine and Scott R. Meyers.

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"Where Are You Going,Where Have You Been?" - Joyce Carol Oates 

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"Where Are You Going,Where Have You Been?" - Joyce Carol Oates 

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Summary

"Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been" by Joyce Carol Oates is a story set in the mid-1960s based on a criminal case that happened around the same time in the United States. The short story follows a rebellious fifteen-year-old girl named Connie who is rather obsessive with her appearance. During one of her many excursions (which is a secret to her family), she meets a rather dashing man who calls himself Arnold Friend. The next day, Connie's family is meant to attend their aunt's barbecue but decides to stay home, finding the event in question uninteresting. While home alone, a car rolls up to her house bearing not only unexpected passengers, but what could possibly be suspicion, danger, love, and her fate. The story deals with many themes such as vanity, love and romance, adolescence, independence, a coming of age, appearances and deception, agency, a loss of innocence, fantasy vs reality, life in suburban America in the 60s, and evil.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are Arnold Friend's first and last words to Connie? Why is it significant, and what exactly happened to Connie at the end of the story?

2. How is religion or fairytales represented in the story? Are there any symbols, allusions, statements, or characters that align with religious or children's tales? If so, which, and why or how does Oates use them in this short story?

3. What is significant about the name Arnold Friend? What clues in the story suggest that he is otherwise, and why did Oates choose the title "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" Why is the title a question?

Personal Thoughts

I fell in love with this particular story because it can be read through many lenses: a cautionary tale for children and parents alike; a psychological lens, as story of delusion from a rebellious girl; through the lens of religion, with the devil preying on innocence; a mythological lens; a feminist lens; and as a cry from the community told through the voice of a young girl taken too soon. I quite like the biblical or allegorical lens; for those reading it this way, I recommend keeping an eye out for people's shoes, feet, and faces. I recommend reading this story as it is a masterful take on an eerie, slow-burn psychological horror that genuinely creeped me out and disgusted me.

Here is the screenplay for anyone interested after reading.

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https://fairytales.site/en/stories/emelian-fool-or-pikes-behes/

“Yemelya the Simpleton/At the Pike’s Command” is a Slavic folk tale about a man who, despite his charm and good looks, was a very lazy and foolish person. He sits around all day at home while his brothers work. One day, his brothers leave for town to sell some goods, and they leave their wives with Yemelya. After a long battle to get Yemelya to work, the wives tell him that he needs to do something in exchange for nice clothes, leaving a very unhappy Yemelya to go get water from the frozen river.

As he scooped water into the buckets, he noticed that he had accidentally caught a large pike, and he planned to take it home for dinner, but the pike begged him to let him go. The fish promised Yemelya that he could grant him any wish he desired, so long as he said the words “By the pike’s command, by my desire, (insert command).” Yemelya was really happy to hear that since he was so lazy, and he commanded the buckets to walk themselves home, surprising his sisters-in-laws. Yemelya continued to use his gift to complete his chores without lifting a finger, and soon the whole town heard about it.

Eventually, he ended up at the Tsar’s palace (after barging in through the gates on an enchanted sled), and he demonstrated his powers. The Tsar wanted to figure out how he could do this, and he asked his daughter to find out. The two eventually fall in love, so the Tsar decides the better course of action is to make them marry, and Yemelya reluctantly agrees. A sleeping potion is added into his wine during the feast, and he finds himself in a barrel with the princess in the ocean when he wakes. Yemelya gets them both out of the ocean and summons a large crystal palace on the island that they find. The Tsar eventually allows them to marry and Yemelya becomes known as a generous ruler of the kingdom. The story shows how having a good heart and will can get you far in life, even if you don’t start off in the best position at first.

1. What would you have used the pike’s powers for if you were Yemelya?

2. Is this an ethical way of living?

3. What did you think of Yemelya’s character development throughout this story? Was it a realistic approach on how a person could change given the circumstances?

I remember hearing my parents tell me this story as a child, and I really liked its message. The main character is not very likable at first, but he grows into a mature man by the end, which really resonated with me. This story serves as an important reminder of how it’s better to live good and act kindly, and how you may be rewarded for it. I would recommend it if you're looking for a lighthearted story when you're feeling sad/unique take on the "rags to riches" trope.

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Емеля_дурак_Курдюмов_1913_-_02

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The Lottery - Shirley Jackson

Best Stories- Heaven Davis

Summary

The Lottery centers on a small town that assembles annually for a deceptively pleasant communal tradition. As the narrative progresses, the reader learns that the lottery serves a much more sinister function than anyone anticipates. Jackson tackles themes of tradition, conformity, violence, and the perils of adhering to customs without questioning their validity. The story compels readers to reflect on how average individuals can engage in harmful behaviors simply because "it's always been done that way."

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think the villagers continue participating in the lottery even though they know its consequences?

2. How does Shirley Jackson use the peaceful setting at the beginning of the story to affect the reader's reaction to the ending?

3. What traditions or social expectations in today's world do people follow without questioning, and how does that connect to the story?

Why I Recommend This Story

I would recommend The Lottery, as it really subverts your expectations while reading it. It starts off just like any other story about a tradition in a small town, but then you get to the end and have to reevaluate the whole story. It also gets the readers to think about why we blindly follow traditions and if something should just carry on because it's always been there. Even though this is from decades ago, it still resonates with people now on peer pressure and going along with the group.

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https://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBooks/Neck.shtml

"The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant is a short story that talks about a poor woman who borrows a diamond necklace. This woman is very focused on how she looks, and constantly yearns to be wealthy. Her husband gets her an invite to this party and she spends money on a nice new dress and asks to borrow a diamond necklace from a friend. She has a wonderful time at this party, but then discovers that she has lost the diamond necklace when she got home. Her and her husband hunt for the necklace but cannot find it, so they buy a new necklace by borrowing a lot of money. It takes them 10 years to pay off their debts. After the 10 years, the woman sees the friend which she borrowed the necklace from. The woman is honest that the necklace was a replacement, and the friend tells her that the original necklace was fake. This story shows themes of social status and appearance, and also of communication and honesty.

Questions:

1. How does Mathilde's dissatisfaction with her life influence the choices she makes throughout the story?

2. What is the significance of the necklace, and how does its meaning change over the course of the story?

3. How does the author use irony to develop the story's central theme?

I recommend this story because I enjoy the irony at the end. I also love Paris so I really enjoy that it is set there. I think that it tells an important story about appearances and that trying to appear wealthy doesn't always lead to the happiest of times. I think that the meaning behind this story can relate to a lot of other things besides just wealth too, and it is interesting to see the story progress through her side of it.

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"The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

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"The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

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https://www.gutenberg.org/files/1952/1952-h/1952-h.htm

"The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is about a husband and wife who move into a mansion for the summer. The husband is a physician and believes it's a good idea to bring his wife out there. His wife is going through postpartum depression, and her husband decides she needs a break away from everybody. Here, she feels isolated and alone, not feeling understood by her husband. There are moments she tries to tell him what she needs to feel better, but he dismisses her because he knows what is best for her. The wife becomes obsessed with the yellow wallpaper in the room she is staying in. At first she is disturbed and disgusted by the wallpaper, but then she becomes fixated with it. She believes there is a woman behind the wallpaper and tries to free her by ripping the wallpaper, only to realize that she is the woman whom she has been seeing. The deeper meaning behind the story is that a woman often feels overlooked or dismissed, especially when it comes to their health. This story shows how a woman who is going through postpartum depression is dismissed and isolated because someone decided what was best for her.

1. How does the wallpaper symbolize the wife's mental state?

2. Does her husband, John, have a right to choose what is best for her because he is a physician? Why or why not?

3. How would you describe the wife's mental state towards the end of the story? Do you think her mental state got worse?

I chose this story because of the meaning behind it. Oftentimes, women are not taken seriously when it comes to their physical or mental health. In the story, there were many times the wife tried communicating with her husband about what would make her feel better, but he would dismiss her. Women are overlooked because we are seen as too emotional or because they believe we exaggerate what we are going through. I related to the main character because there were times I went to a doctor's office and had to push back at my doctor's dismissal. It is unfortunate that it still happens, and I think this story is a reminder of that.

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https://americanenglish.state.gov/files/ae/resource_files/1-the_gift_of_the_magi_0.pdf

I chose The Gift of the Magi because I really like this story. While I was reading it, I felt every word. As a married person, it reminded me of many memories with my husband. A few years ago, he bought me a Michael Kors watch because I had always wanted one. This story is about a poor husband and wife who love and care about each other. They both want to buy a Christmas gift for each other, but they do not have enough money. One of the most touching moments is when Della decides to make a gift for her husband and says, “Will you buy my hair?” asked Della. She sells her long, beautiful hair to buy a chain for Jim's watch, and Jim sells his watch to buy beautiful combs for Della's hair. In the end, they cannot use the gifts, but they realize how much they value each other.

1. Is this kind of sacrifice worth it for love?

2. Is true love really like this?

3. What is the most valuable thing we can do for someone we love?

I recommend this story because, based on my own experience and this story, true love is not just about saying, it is about showing love through your actions, the way you communicate, the respect you give, and the support you are willing to make for each other. This story shows that when people truly love and care about each other, they prove it through their actions. It teaches us that real love is shown through kindness, care, and selfless actions, not just words.

By the way, these are my husband's and my hands.

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https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1978/06/26/girl

Alt link: https://macmedplacebo.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/girl-jamaica-kincaid.pdf

"Girl" by Jamaica Kincaid is a short story detailing all the rules a girl was told by her mother. These rules have followed her throughout her life, and the narrator recites them, seemingly noticing the contradictions and hypocrisy present when they are all lined up together. The story presents a glimpse into the psychological effects of navigating girlhood in a society set up to see girls fail, and the frustration that it causes.

1. Who do you think is narrating the story? Is it a mother? Is it a daughter (young or grown)?

2. What role does repetition play in this story, and how does it impact your reading experience?

3. How does the author's use of metaphors aid or damage the message she is trying to convey about girlhood?

I read this story about two years ago and was immediately struck by it. Jamaica Kincaid does a wonderful job portraying the frustrating limitations of girl/womanhood, where the weight of the world around us is constantly placed on our shoulders, yet we have little say in shaping it. I think this story is extremely important for people to read, even if it causes uncomfortable feelings. It is that unease that readers should sit with to begin an internal dialogue with themselves and a dialogue with the people around them.

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Jackson, S. (1948, June 19). “The Lottery". The New Yorker. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1948/06/26/the-lottery 

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https://bpb-us-e2.wpmucdn.com/sites.middlebury.edu/dist/d/2396/files/2019/09/jackson_lottery.pdf

"The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson takes place in a small village, where the people residing in the town are gathered together for a small event. As the story progresses, us readers learn that a lottery takes place, but instead of a normal lottery, a random townsfolk is selected to be stoned to death by the rest of the people living in the village. The ending of this story emphasizes how people thoughtlessly follow traditions that were placed many years ago without thinking about the morality of the traditions.

1. If you lived in this small village, would you participate in the lottery or would you go against the tradition and why?

2. Do you think Tessie's reaction to her family being chosen is understandable, or do you think she would have questioned the lottery before it affected her personally?

3. Do you think the people living in the village know why the lottery is necessary, or do you think they are too afraid to change tradition?

I recommend "The Lottery" because it is a story that has really changed my expectations of it, especially when I first read it a couple of years ago. It begins as a small gathering of the townspeople, but towards the end, it made me think that sometimes following traditions might not be the best option for yourself or for others around you. The message in this story is very important and applies to the real world today because it makes us think about conformity and if it is worth the lives and happiness of others.

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Wilde, Oscar. “The Selfish Giant”. The Happy Prince and Other Tales. May 1888

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https://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBooks/SelGia.shtml

A selfish Giant bans children from playing in his beautiful garden and walls it up to keep them out. The Seasons refuse to return, leaving his garden in endless Winter. One day the children sneak back in bringing Spring with them, except for in one corner where a tiny child is struggling to reach the trees. The Giant realizes how wrong he’s been, then knocks down the wall and invites the children to play. The Seasons return and the children come to play every year. Years later the boy appears again with nail wounds in his hands and feet. He tells the Giant that because he allowed him to play in his garden, the Giant can join him in his garden of Paradise. This story uses Christian allegory to show that joy and peace are achieved through kindness, and that sharing what you love instead of keeping it to yourself can bring fulfillment here and after death.

How does the story use religious symbolism to represent its ideas, both religious and non-religious?

What does anthropomorphizing the Seasons (treating them like sentient characters) do in the story and how the reader relates to the Giant?

What does the story suggest about natural cycles and change, and our place in the world?

I’ve loved this story since childhood. The imagery is so rich, like North Wind’s great furs and the “beautiful flowers like stars”. As a parable for how we choose to live, it feels intimate and loving. Even though I’m no longer Christian, I still love the symbolism of it, and the core tenets of kindness and generosity still resonate deeply.

-El Adams

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Illustrated cover of The Selfish Giant by Oscar Wilde, showing a large man following a running child and a blossoming tree branch

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The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe https://poemuseum.org/the-tell-tale-heart/

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Edgar Allan Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart" is a horror/psychological thriller about a narrator who becomes obsessed with his old man roommate's "vulture eye," more specifically, the eye he can't see out of. This is to the point that it drives him insane and infuriates him enough to kill him. The narrator talks throughout the story about how he is not crazy, then goes into detail about how he planned everything up to the moment leading up to the night he kills the old man and afterwards, including disposing of everything and speaking to the police afterwards. His pride causes him to invite the police officers in and for him to sit on top of where the old man's body is hidden. As time goes on, he begins to become overwhelmed by guilt and paranoia. He believes he is hearing the old man's heartbeat coming from underneath the floorboards and that the police are on to him. This leads him to have a breakdown where he confesses to what he has done, and he is arrested.

Questions:

1. Why do you think that the narrator constantly claims that he is not insane? How do you think he proves that he isn't, or why do you think he really is insane?

2. Why do you think that the narrator's guilt and paranoia are represented by hearing the heartbeat of the old man?

3. What do you think of reading this story from the perspective that it is in? How would it be different if it were from the perspective of the old man or any of the officers who arrived at the scene?

Back in middle school, I first read Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart," and it became one of my favorite stories. I recommend it a lot because of how suspenseful and psychological it feels. It is also well-written, and it is disturbing to read about what happened to the old man and how the narrator tries to convince you that he is not crazy and that his actions were justified. The way the story ends, too, is something I always remember because he starts so evil and prideful, claiming he's sane, but then eventually gets eaten up by his guilt and paranoia and goes mad, imagining that he can still hear the old man.

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I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream by Harlan Ellison

"I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream" by Harlan Ellison is set in a dystopian world where the last five humans are tormented physically and psychologically by a self-aware supercomputer named AM. AM was created by humans during the Cold War, and after it became self-aware, it developed an intense hatred towards humans and wiped almost all of humanity. The five survivors are kept alive so AM can torment them endlessly. Near the end of the story, the main character, Ted, realizes that the reason for AM's hatred is because, even though it has godlike abilities and intelligence, it is confined to its own machinery and will never truly be free. In the end, Ted kills the four other humans to spare them from the eternal suffering, but in doing so, AM transforms him into a mouthless creature, hence the name of the story. The central theme of the story is the dangers of technology and how even in the darkest situations, humans will still choose compassion and sacrifice.

Questions:

1. Since AM was created by humans but it gained awareness on its own, can the hatred it has for humanity be blamed on humans or is it entirely from AM?

2. Was Ted's decision to kill the other survivors, without consulting them, an act of heroism or selfish as he took their choice away?

3. How does this story relate to today with the advancements in AI?

I really like this story and I recommend it, however it is graphic so some may not like that. I really like this story because while it is really dark Ellison believes that in the darkest times, compassion and sacrifice will rise. I also recommend it because I think it is a good warning for today, about unchecked technology, especially within the military. While I don't think our technology is anywhere near AM, the use of AI in our society has increased in the past few years and many jobs have been taken away or decreased because of AI replacing humans.

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Brooke Sullivan

The Aged Mother by Matsuo Basho | Full Text

"The Aged Mother" by Matsuo Basho tells a Japanese folklore story about a young farmer and his elderly mother who are controlled by a leader. The leader sets all of the rules and has a law set where all elderly people have to be abandoned because they are useless. The son believes he should follow the leader, so he planned to take his mother to a steep mountain and abandon her. The elderly mother didn't want her son to get lost on the way back home from abandoning her, so she dropped twigs so he would find his way back home. The leader presented a challenge to everyone, and the son asked his mother for help, and she did help with the challenge. The son presented the answer to the challenge to the leader and revealed that his elderly mother helped. The leader realized the town needed elderly people because of their wisdom, so he abolished the law. The central theme of the story is respecting elders and not believing elderly people are useless.

Questions:

1. If you were the son, would you have followed the leader's rule and abandoned the mother, or disobeyed the law and protected the mother?

2. Does this story teach a lesson about how society treats elderly people?

3. Why isn't the mother angry with her son for following the leader's command, but instead she's helping her son?

I love this story because it shows that everyone should respect older people. After all, they are useful. Most people put down older people, which is heartbreaking, but this story shows they carry lots of wisdom. What surprised me about the story is how the mother still cares for her son even though he abandoned her. I recommend this story to open people's eyes to start respecting elderly people more.