Short stories | Lecturia

Saki: The Story-Teller

“The Story-Teller” is a short story by Saki (H. H. Munro), published in 1914 in the book Beasts and Super-Beasts. In a hot train carriage, a woman tries to keep her three restless nephews entertained. To do so, she tells them a moralistic story that fails miserably, causing boredom and disinterest in the children. Irritated by the commotion, a man also traveling in the car intervenes and tells them his own story: a witty and provocative tale that immediately captures the attention of his impromptu audience.

W. W. Jacobs: The Monkey’s Paw

“The Monkey’s Paw,” a short story by W. W. Jacobs, is a classic tale of horror and fantasy. It is notable for its tense atmosphere and reflection on the implications of altering destiny. The story revolves around the White family, who receive a mysterious magic talisman as a gift, with the ability to grant three wishes. Despite their skepticism, they decide to use the amulet, which leads to a series of catastrophic events.

Ray Bradbury: The Emissary

Ray Bradbury’s short story “The Emissary” tells the story of Martin Christie, a boy confined to his bed due to illness. Torry, his dog, becomes his connection to the outside world. Martin experiences the changing seasons and the experiences of the outside world through Torry, who also brings him visitors, thanks to a note Martin puts on his collar. One day, Torry disappears without a trace. When Martin has already lost all hope of recovering his friend, something unexpected happens.

Edgar Allan Poe: Ligeia. Full Story, Summary and Analysis

Edgar Allan Poe’s “Ligeia” is a gothic horror story that narrates the protagonist’s intense relationship with a woman of exceptional beauty and intelligence whom he met in a dilapidated town near the Rhine. In their union, they share love, passion, and a deep intellectual respect. Ligeia’s death throws the protagonist into a spiral of decadence … Read more

Oscar Wilde: The Devoted Friend. Full Story, Summary, and Analysis

In Oscar Wilde’s short story “The Devoted Friend,” a bird tells a story about friendship to a water rat. In the story, a wealthy miller continually takes advantage of the generosity of his “friend” Hans, exploiting his kind nature without offering anything in return. While Hans works hard, helping the miller even to the detriment … Read more

H. G. Wells: The Stolen Bacillus

The Stolen Bacillus is a short story by H. G. Wells, published on June 21, 1894, in The Pall Mall Budget. The story begins in the laboratory of a bacteriologist who shows a visitor a live culture of the cholera bacillus, explaining its ability to devastate entire cities. The visitor, fascinated by the destructive power of the microorganism, listens attentively as the scientist describes the consequences of its spread. However, a momentary distraction allows the stranger to leave in a hurry, which triggers a frantic chase through London. As the tension mounts, the story takes an unexpected turn.