Story of the Bad Little Boy by Mark Twain — Review

Mark Twain’s *The Story of the Bad Little Boy* is a example of satirical subversion—a sharp, darkly comic deconstruction of the moralistic children’s tales that dominated 19th-century literature.

The story follows Jim, a mischievous boy who gleefully flouts every rule of proper childhood behavior: he lies, steals, skips Sunday school, torments animals, and manipulates his elders.

In traditional didactic tales of the era— such a child would inevitably meet a grim, cautionary end: struck by lightning, devoured by wolves, or consumed by guilt. But Twain turns this expectation on its head. Jim not only avoids punishment but thrives. He grows up to be wealthy, respected, and even elected to Congress—despite (or perhaps because of) his continued moral failings.

Here is the link to the text of the story:
https://twain.lib.virginia.edu/tomsawye/mtbadboy.html

"Jeeves Takes Charge" by P. G. Wodehouse — Review

"Jeeves Takes Charge" by P. G. Wodehouse is a funny and clever introduction to the characters of Bertie Wooster and his valet, Jeeves. Bertie is a nice but not-very-bright young man who gets stuck in a situation where he is forced to get married. He doesn't know how to get out of it without causing trouble. 

The story is told by Bertie himself, and his way of talking is very silly and enjoyable. The best part is watching his new servant, Jeeves, who is incredibly smart and calm, find a perfect and quiet way to solve all of Bertie's problems.

Here is the link to the text of the story:
https://americanliterature.com/author/p-g-wodehouse/short-story/jeeves-takes-charge

"The Ransom of Red Chief" by O. Henry - Review

O. Henry's "The Ransom of Red Chief" is a perfect example of the author's signature twist ending. The story lies in its subversion of the classic kidnapping plot. Instead of a terrified victim, the two hapless criminals find themselves held hostage by a hyperactive, imaginative, and utterly merciless little boy who calls himself Red Chief.

Beyond the sheer entertainment value, the story offers a subtle commentary on perception and value. The thing the men believed to be a valuable asset—the only child of a wealthy man—is revealed to be such a terror that his own father is reluctant to take him back. 

Here is the link to the text of the story:
https://americanliterature.com/author/o-henry/short-story/the-ransom-of-red-chief

"The Night the Bed Fell" by James Thurber — Review

James Thurber’s "The Night the Bed Fell" is a masterclass in domestic chaos and gentle, absurdist humor. The story’s lies not in a complex plot, but in its perfect orchestration of a chain reaction of misunderstandings within a single, eccentrically charming household.

Thurber paints his family members with affectionate, exaggerated strokes—the father sleeping in the attic, the cousin fearing he will die in his sleep, the mother prone to alarmism. The simple incident of a collapsing cot becomes the catalyst for a symphony of panic, where everyone’s peculiarities collide in the dark. 

It’s a short, perfectly paced anecdote that leaves the reader with a sense of nostalgic warmth, reminding us that every family has its own "night the bed fell," a story that might be baffling to outsiders but is a cornerstone of its own shared history and identity.

Here is the link to the text of the story:
https://bayanbox.ir/view/2335342035464212911/The-Night-the-Bed-Fell-English.pdf

"The Stolen Cigar Case" — Review

This story is a parody of a famous detective like Sherlock Holmes. It shows a detective who is very confident and uses complicated logic for a simple problem: a missing cigar case. The humor comes from the fact that the detective's theories are incredibly smart-sounding but completely ridiculous. He invents a whole story about the thief's life based on tiny, unimportant details, which makes the reader laugh at his arrogance.

The best part of the story is the surprise ending. The story is clever because it makes fun of people who never admit they are wrong and always try to sound intelligent.

Here is the link to the text of the story:
https://americanliterature.com/author/bret-harte/short-story/the-stolen-cigar-case

"The Fun They Had" by Isaac Asimov— Review

This story "The Fun They Had" by Isaac Asimov makes you think about the future. It shows two children who are surprised by an old book about schools in our time. For them, the idea of a school with human teachers and children playing together sounds like a fun adventure. The story makes the readers a chance to see our own normal life as something special and wonderful.

The story doesn't say that technology is bad, but it reminds us that the simple joys of being with friends are very important.


Here is the link to the text of the story:
http://www.visual-memory.co.uk/daniel/funtheyhad.html

"The Lottery Ticket" by Anton Chekhov — Review

Anton Chekhov's short story "The Lottery Ticket" is a psychological study that explores the corrosive power of greed and the fragility of human relationships. The plot is simple: a married couple believes they have won a large sum of money in the lottery, only to have their dreams shattered moments later. 

However, the genius of the story lies not in the external action but in the internal turmoil. Chekhov argues that the true tragedy is not the loss of wealth, but the shocking self-knowledge of how easily harmony can be destroyed by latent greed.

Here is the link to the text of the story:
https://americanliterature.com/author/anton-chekhov/short-story/the-lottery-ticket