Great Stories Well Told

The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2493630/fan_mail/new] Welcome to the first episode in Season 2 of Great Stories Well Told:  “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin. This is a remarkable and quietly powerful short story about marriage, identity, freedom, and the hidden emotions that can live beneath ordinary life. First published in 1894, Chopin’s story unfolds over the course of a single hour, revealing the inner thoughts of a woman confronted with sudden and life-changing news.  With subtle emotional depth and striking psychological insight, this classic work remains as thought-provoking today as when it was first written. An Early Edit by the Author: Kate Chopin wrote “The Story of an Hour” on April 19, 1894. It was first published in Vogue on December 6, 1894, under the title “The Dream of an Hour.”  It was reprinted in St. Louis Life on January 5, 1895, with two changes that are included in this version of the story. One of those changes adds the word “her” to the first sentence of paragraph 14.   You can see that change here in this sentence:   “There would be no one to live for her..."  I have been doing some thinking as to why the author made this small change and how it affects the meaning of the sentence.  If you are also interested: Please let me know what you think:  greatstorieswelltold@gmail.com "The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin is a work in the public domain.   A Look Ahead for Season 2: June 17th - "Bernice Bobs Her Hair" by F. Scott Fitzgerald  June 24th - Beauty and the Beast" by Charles Perrrault A podcast by SBKA LLC

Why the Sea is Salt

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2493630/fan_mail/new] This story contains scenes of violence, as some classic stories do. Listener discretion is advised In this episode of Great Stories Well Told, we present "Why the Sea is Salt", a traditional tale told in many places and in a number of different versions.    It is a story of a poor man, a magical gift, and what can happen when more is taken than is needed. And it offers a simple answer to a question we have all heard: why is the sea salty? This is  Norse folktale "Why the Sea is Salt" (originally titled Kvernen som maler på havsens bunn).  It was first translated into English in 1859 by Sir George Webbe Dasent in his book Popular Tales from the Norse.  It has also been published in other story collections.  This version is taken from Sara Cone Bryant's book How to Tell Stories to Children, published in 1918.   Please let me know what you think:  greatstorieswelltold@gmail.com "Why the Sea is Salt" is the final story in Season 1.  I hope that you will join me for Season 2 , scheduled to begin on Wednesday, June 10th.   "Why The Sea Is Salt" is a story in the public domain. A podcast by SBKA LLC

The Happy Prince

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2493630/fan_mail/new]      A statue covered in gold. A small bird with nowhere to go.  In Oscar Wilde’s The Happy Prince, a quiet story unfolds — one of compassion, sacrifice, and the unexpected beauty of giving.   The Happy Prince and Other Tales is an 1888 collection of short stories by Oscar Fingal O'Fflahertie Wills Wilde was an Irish author, poet and playwright. He was born on October 16, 1854, in Dublin, Ireland, and died on November 30, 1900, in Paris, France. Oscar Wilde may be better known for The Portrait of Dorian Gray and his comedy of manners plays: Lady Windermer's Fan 1892,  and The Importance of Being Earnest 1895.  The Happy Prince and Other Tales, while less well known is an excellent short story collection.    Please let me know what you think:  greatstorieswelltold@gmail.com  "The Happy Prince" by Oscar Wilde is a story in the public domain.   A Look Ahead to the final story is this first season:   Wednesday, May 27th - "Why the Sea is Salt"  A podcast by SBKA LLC

The Magic Shop by H.G. Wells

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2493630/fan_mail/new] In this episode of Great Stories Well Told, we present The Magic Shop by H. G. Wells. A father and his young son visit a curious little shop on a London street, filled with tricks, toys, and strange wonders. But as they explore, the line between illusion and reality begins to blur. A small shop on a city street. A window filled with curious things. In H. G. Wells’ The Magic Shop, a simple visit becomes something far stranger — where tricks feel real, and reality begins to slip just out of reach. H.G. Wells' short story "The Magic Shop" was first published in June 1903 in The Strand Magazine. It was later included in his collection Twelve Stories and a Dream, also published in 1903.  It is a fine father and son story about a visit to a genuine magic shop that was quite genuine.  Please let me know what you think:  greatstorieswelltold@gmail.com "The Magic Shop" is a story in the public domain. A Look Ahead: Wednesday, May 20th - "The Happy Prince" by Oscar Wilde Wednesday, May 27th - "Why the Sea is Salt"  A podcast by SBKA LLC

The Lady or The Tiger by Frank R. Stockton

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2493630/fan_mail/new] In Frank R. Stockton’s "The Lady, or the Tiger?", a young man stands before a decision that will determine his fate —  Two doors. One choice. No second chances. but the greatest mystery lies not behind the doors, but in the heart of the one who knows what waits beyond them. "The Lady, or the Tiger?" is a short story by American author Frank R. Stockton, first published in November 1882 in The Century Magazine.     It can also be found in his short story collection titled The Lady, or the Tiger? and Other Stories, published by Scribner's in 1884. Frank R. Stockton was born on April 5, 1834, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and died on April 20, 1902.    This story is in the public domain.    Content Note: This story contains scenes of violence, as some classic stories do. Listener discretion is advised A Look Ahead: Wednesday, May 13th - "The Magic Shop" by H.G. Wells Wednesday, May 20th - "The Happy Prince" by Oscar Wilde Wednesday, May 27th - "Why the Sea is Salt"  A podcast by SBKA LLC