Thirsty Island by Banjo Paterson – Review

Thirsty Island is a sketch about Thursday Island, a remote Australian outpost known for its wild drinking culture. Paterson paints a vivid picture of the island’s rowdy pearl divers, sailors, and locals, who greet arriving ships with relentless hospitality—mostly in the form of heavy drinking. The story follows a naive newcomer who expects a quiet introduction to Australia but instead gets swept into a chaotic, alcohol-fueled night that leaves him stunned. The island’s eccentric characters, from boozy captains to knife-fighting sailors, make the place feel both dangerous and strangely charming.

Here is the link to the text of the story:
https://short-stories.co/@banjopaterson/thirsty-island-nkeve78pqzmo

"Self-Made Men" by Stephen Leacock — Review

The story "Self-Made Men" by Stephen Leacock is a humorous take on two wealthy businessmen who try to outdo each other by exaggerating their past struggles. At first, they boast about their difficult early days—sleeping in a tar barrel or a piano box and eating scraps. Their competition becomes funnier as they keep adding wild details, like playing games in a tiny space or eating hog’s food. The irony is clear: these men, now rich and comfortable, pretend to miss their "humble" past while ordering fancy food.

Leacock’s satire mocks people who romanticize poverty after achieving success. The characters’ ridiculous arguments and sudden shift to luxurious orders highlight their hypocrisy. The story is using humor to show how people often exaggerate their hardships to seem tougher or more self-made than they really are. It’s a clever and entertaining read that makes readers laugh while making a sharp point about human nature.

Here is the link to the text of the story:
https://short-stories.co/@stephen.leacock/self-made-men-8devmqj03lx2

The Three Day Blow by Ernest Hemingway — Review

"The Three-Day Blow" is a simple story about two friends, Nick and Bill, spending time together on a windy autumn day. They drink whisky, talk about books and baseball, and enjoy the cozy warmth of a fire. At first, their conversation is light and fun, but then Bill brings up Nick’s past relationship with Marjorie. Nick feels sad thinking about her, but as they keep talking and drinking, he starts to feel better, realizing that some things end for a reason.

The story captures the mood of a stormy day and the comfort of friendship. Hemingway’s writing is making the emotions feel real. The wind and changing weather mirror Nick’s feelings—sometimes heavy, sometimes calm. By the end, Nick accepts that life moves on, and he finds hope in new possibilities. It’s a story about letting go and moving forward.

Here is the link to the text of the story:
https://americanliterature.com/author/ernest-hemingway/short-story/the-three-day-blow/

The Bird by Leo Tolstoy - Review

"The Bird" is a simple yet powerful story about a boy named Serozha who gets a bird trap as a birthday gift. Excited, he catches a bird but soon forgets to care for it properly. His mother warns him to let the bird go, but when he finally tries to fix his mistake, it’s too late—the bird dies from neglect. Serozha feels deep regret and learns a hard lesson about kindness and responsibility.

Tolstoy’s story teaches an important moral in a way children can understand. It shows how thoughtless actions can harm innocent creatures and how guilt can change a person. The ending is sad but meaningful, as Serozha decides never to trap birds again. The story reminds us to treat all living things with care and compassion.

Here is the link to the text of the story:
https://short-stories.co/@leotolstoy/the-bird-473l2qq4lm2j