Original Short Stories — Volume 13

"Original Short Stories — Volume 13" by Guy de Maupassant is a collection of short stories written during the late 19th century. This volume includes several diverse narratives that explore themes of human nature, morality, and the complexities of relationships. The stories are drawn from different settings and feature a variety of characters, providing readers with a rich tapestry of emotional and philosophical reflections. The opening of the collection begins with "Old Judas," where the setting is a grim landscape surrounding a lake, inhabited by a reclusive fisherman named Uncle Joseph. The story is framed around a legend of the Wandering Jew, recounting the tale of a mysterious beggar who dies under tragic circumstances. The narrative captures a sense of foreboding and explores the themes of isolation and the supernatural. Following this, the subsequent story titled "The Little Cask" presents a more mundane yet intense scenario involving an innkeeper, Chicot, who attempts to manipulate an elderly woman for her land, showcasing Maupassant's skillful depiction of human greed and cunning. This opening sets the tone for the entire collection, hinting at the diverse themes and moral dilemmas that the stories to come will address. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Translated by A. E. Henderson, Albert Cohn McMaster, Louise Charlotte Garstin Quesada. Reading ease score: 78.4 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read. Originally issued 2004-10-04. Transcribed by Produced by David Widger. This work is in the public domain in the United States. Sourced from Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/3089).