An idle man falls asleep in the Catskill Mountains only to wake up twenty years later, bewildered as to how life passed him by. Includes an analysis of the story and a biography of the author.

A beautiful, golden, jewel-studded statue and a little swallow give all they have to help the poor.

In The Lottery, Shirley Jackson masterfully unravels a chilling story that delves deep into the heart of human nature and societal tradition. Set in a small, seemingly peaceful village, the story begins with the townspeople gathering for their annual lottery, an event that has been held for as long as anyone can remember. What starts as a familiar and festive gathering quickly descends into a horrifying ritual, where the "winner" of the lottery faces...