Short Story Blog by Maria

  “On the Gull’s Road” – Willa Cather Summary On the Gull’s Road is a romantic and reflective story about a young man’s emotional connection with a married woman during an ocean voyage. Though their love was unspoken and impossible, it was deeply meaningful. Marian gives the narrator a parting gift and vanishes from his life, but her memory stays with him for years. The story explores themes of love, longing, and the passage of time.   Character -           - The Narrator – A man recalling a bittersweet love from his youth. -           -  Mrs. Alexandra (or Marian) Ebbling – A beautiful, delicate woman married to an older, sickly man. -           -  Mr. Ebbling – Alexandra’s older husband, often ill and distant. -           -  Ship’s Doctor – A secondary character offering insights and support.   Plot Elements Exposition - The narrat...

“Rikki-tikki-Tavi” – Rudyard Kipling Summary Rikki-tikki-tavi is a heroic story about a young mongoose who protects a human family in India from two deadly cobras. After being rescued from a flood, Rikki takes on the responsibility of defending the household. He bravely battles the snakes and ultimately saves the family from danger. His courage and cleverness make him a true hero.   Character -           Rikki-tikki-tavi – A brave young mongoose and the main hero of the story. -           Nag and Nagaina – A pair of dangerous cobras who threaten the human family. -           Teddy – The little boy Rikki protects. -           Teddy’s parents – Grateful to Rikki for protecting their family. -           Darzee – A tailorbird who helps Rikki. ...

“Seventh Grade” – Gary Soto Summary In Seventh Grade , Victor starts his first day of school hoping to impress Teresa, the girl he likes. He tries to act cool and even pretends to speak French in class, which ends up embarrassing him. Surprisingly, Teresa is impressed, and Mr. Bueller chooses not to expose Victor’s bluff. In the end, Victor feels good about himself and hopeful for the school year.   Character - Victor – A seventh-grade boy who wants to impress a girl at school. - Teresa – The girl Victor has a crush on. - Michael – Victor’s best friend who tries to act cool by scowling. - Mr. Bueller – The French teacher who notices Victor’s mistake but kindly doesn’t embarrass him. Plot element Exposition - Victor is excited and nervous for the first day of seventh grade. He wants to impress Teresa, a girl he likes, and hopes they’ll be in the same classes.   Rising action - Victor tries to act cool, talks with Teresa, and signs up for French beca...

“The Legend of Sleepy Hallow” – Washington Irving Summary The Legend of Sleepy Hollow tells the story of Ichabod Crane, a schoolteacher who tries to win the heart of Katrina Van Tassel in a small, superstitious town. After a party, he’s chased by the legendary Headless Horseman and disappears. The story mixes humor, mystery, and folklore, leaving readers to wonder if the ghost was real or if it was a prank by his rival, Brom Bones.   Character -           Ichabod Crane – A lanky, superstitious schoolteacher who comes to Sleepy Hollow. -           Brom Bones (Abraham Van Brunt) – A strong, mischievous local man who also wants Katrina’s attention. -           Katrina Van Tassel – A beautiful and wealthy young woman pursued by both Ichabod and Brom. -           The Headless Horseman – A lege...

“The Private History of a Campaign That Failed” – Mark Twain Summary In The Private History of a Campaign That Failed, Mark Twain tells the story of a group of young men who join a volunteer militia during the Civil War. Excited at first, they soon realize they are not prepared for the reality of war. After wandering without much action, they mistakenly kill an innocent man, which leaves them filled with regret. Twain uses this story to reflect on the foolishness of war and the pain it causes.   Character -           Narrator (Mark Twain) – Reflects on his youth and experience in a militia group. -           Smith family boys – Members of the militia. -           Sergeant – A leader figure in the group. -           Missouri Militiamen – A group of inexperienced young men pretending to be...

  “The Ransom of Red Chief” – O. Henry Summary In The Ransom of Red Chief , two kidnappers think they’ve found an easy target in a young boy from a wealthy family. But their plan backfires when the boy turns out to be uncontrollable and completely enjoys being “kidnapped.” The kidnappers are pushed to the edge, and in a twist of irony, they end up paying the boy’s father just to get rid of him. It’s a humorous story filled with unexpected turns and a great example of O. Henry’s signature surprise endings.   Character - Sam – One of the kidnappers; the narrator of the story. - Bill – Sam’s partner; suffers the most from the boy’s wild behavior. - Johnny (a.k.a. “Red Chief”) – The young boy who gets kidnapped; wild, energetic, and thinks he’s playing a game. - Ebenezer Dorset – Johnny’s father, who turns the tables on the kidnappers. Plot Elements Exposition - Sam and Bill, two small-time crooks, come up with a plan to kidnap a boy and demand a ransom fr...