Short stories | Lecturia

Ray Bradbury: The Emissary

“The Emissary” is a short story by Ray Bradbury, first published in 1947 in the collection Dark Carnival. It tells the story of Martin Christie, a boy confined to his bed by illness whose only connection to the outside world is his dog, Torry. Each day, the animal goes out to explore the neighborhood and returns carrying scents, textures, and echoes of places Martin can no longer visit. One day, Torry disappears without a trace. When Martin has lost all hope of ever seeing his friend again, something unexpected happens.

Edgar Allan Poe: Ligeia

“Ligeia” is a Gothic horror tale by Edgar Allan Poe, published on September 18, 1838, in the magazine American Museum. It recounts the intense relationship between the narrator and Ligeia, a woman of extraordinary beauty and intelligence, whom he met in a ruined city near the Rhine. In their union, they share love, passion, and a profound intellectual respect. Ligeia’s death plunges the narrator into a spiral of decay from which not even his marriage to the beautiful Rowena can rescue him. The memory of—and obsession with—Ligeia haunts the narrator, tormenting him even though she rests in her grave.

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.

Mary Shelley: The Trial of Love. Full Story, Summary and Analysis

«The Trial of Love» is a story by Mary Shelley, published in 1834. It tells the story of Angeline, a young orphan who lives in a convent and maintains a secret love with Ippolito, a young aristocrat. Both undergo a year’s trial of separation without communicating, promised to Ippolito’s father, to prove the constancy of their feelings. The arrival of Faustina, Angeline’s childhood friend, tests the lovers’ loyalty and destiny.

Ray Bradbury: The Handler

“The Handler,” a short story by Ray Bradbury published in 1947, tells the story of Mr. Benedict, a man who runs a funeral business, a church, and a cemetery, all in the exact location. Benedict feels a deep inferiority complex and spends his days enduring the scorn and insults of the town’s neighbors. In his … Read more