Charles

(by Shirley Jackson) (A kindergartner named Laurie tells his parents about the daily antics of his classmate, Charles) The day my son Laurie started kindergarten he renounced corduroy overalls with bibs and began wearing blue jeans with a belt; I watched him go off the first morning with the older girl next door, seeing clearly …

The Lottery

(by Shirley Jackson) (Who will be selected?) The morning of June 27th was clear and sunny, with the fresh warmth of a full-summer day; the flowers were blossoming profusely and the grass was richly green. The people of the village began to gather in the square, between the post office and the bank, around ten …