Short stories
15 classic short stories in full, by Poe, Irving, Chopin, O. Henry, Gilman, Bierce and others, each free to read in 4 to 119 minutes with a short summary and three questions.
The Most Dangerous GameA big-game hunter stranded on an island becomes the prey in a deadly human hunt.33 minThe Fall of the House of UsherA visitor tries to comfort an old friend in a decaying mansion ruled by illness and fear.30 minThe Story of an HourA wife’s grief at news of her husband’s death gives way to an unexpected sense of freedom.4 minThe Masque of the Red DeathA prince seals his court away from a deadly plague and holds a lavish masked ball.10 minThe Tell-Tale HeartAn old man’s clouded eye drives a nervous narrator toward murder.9 minThe Legend of Sleepy HollowA superstitious schoolmaster courts a wealthy farmer’s daughter in a valley alive with ghost stories.51 minThe Yellow WallpaperA woman ordered to rest becomes absorbed in the yellow wallpaper of her isolated room.26 minThe Pit and the PendulumA condemned prisoner faces a hidden pit, a descending blade, and his own terror.25 minThe Cask of AmontilladoA promise of rare wine draws a proud drinker into a carefully planned revenge.10 minThe Lady, or the Tiger?A princess must guide her lover toward either a deadly tiger or marriage to another woman.11 minThe Monkey’s PawA family receives a wish-granting monkey’s paw and ignores warnings about its terrible cost.17 minRip Van WinkleA kindly but idle villager encounters mysterious strangers while escaping into the mountains.25 minThe Gift of the MagiA young couple with little money sacrifices treasured possessions to give each other Christmas gifts.9 minA Christmas CarolA bitter miser faces three Christmas spirits who reveal the human cost of his selfish life.119 minAn Occurrence at Owl Creek BridgeA condemned man at an Alabama railroad bridge dreams of escaping to his family.16 min
