English Short Stories from 4 Writers




Table of Contents
The Nightingale And The Rose..................................................................................................... 4

Reading Guide............................................................................................................................... 9

Reading and Comprehension ...................................................................................................... 10

The Flowering Of The Strange Orchid ....................................................................................... 12

Reading Guide............................................................................................................................. 19

Reading and Comprehension ...................................................................................................... 20

The Monkey`s Paw ...................................................................................................................... 22

Reading Guide............................................................................................................................. 30

Reading and Comprehension ...................................................................................................... 31

The Three Strangers .................................................................................................................... 33

Reading Guide............................................................................................................................. 51

Reading and Comprehension ...................................................................................................... 52



Oscar Fingal O`Flahertie Wills Wilde was born October 16, 1854 in Dublin, Ireland. Both of his parents were writers, and from an early age, Wilde was exposed to brilliant literary thinkers. Wilde`s mother composed revolutionary Irish poetry and published under the name Speranza. Wilde`s father, Sir William Wilde, published more than a dozen books on archaeology and Irish folklore, in addition to his career as an eminent ear and eye surgeon.

Wilde published his first book entitled Poems in 1881. The next year, he embarked on a successful lecture tour in the United States. While in the United States, Wilde saw the first play he had written, Vera, or the Nihilists (1882), performed in New York City. Wilde returned to Great Britain in 1883 and settled in London. In 1884, he married a wealthy Irish woman named Constance Lloyd. They had two sons, Cyril and Vyvyan, after which Wilde devoted all of his time to writing.

For two years, Wilde edited Woman`s World and worked as a reviewer for the Pall Mall Gazette. In addition, he published a book of fairy tales entitled The Happy Prince and Other Tales (1888). Wilde`s most successful and prolific period began in the 1890s. His only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray was published in 1891. Some considered the book immoral, but others called it brilliant. In 1892, Wilde published two additional books of fairy tales entitled Lord Arthur Savile`s Crime, and Other Stories and A House of Pomegranates.

During the 1890s, Wilde also became known as one of London`s most prominent playwrights for his society comedies. His first success was Lady Windermere`s Fan (1892), followed by A Woman of No Importance (1893), An Ideal Husband (1895). and The Importance of Being Earnest (1895). Another play, SalomÌ (1893) was banned in London but later translated and produced in Paris.

In 1895, at the height of his career, Wilde was accused by the Marquess of Queensberry of being a sodomite based on his relationship with the Marquess` son Lord Alfred Douglas. In turn, Wilde sued Queensberry for libel. Wilde lost his suit and was prosecuted by the government for indecent acts. He was found guilty and sentenced to two years at hard labor. During his incarceration, Wilde wrote an extensive letter to Douglas, which was later edited and published as De Profundis (1905). He also based The Ballad of Reading Gaol (1898) on his experience in prison.

Wilde was released from prison in May, 1897. He was bankrupt, with few future prospects. He moved to Paris but was unable to revive his literary career. Wilde died suddenly on November
30, 1900 of an acute brain inflammation. A complete edition of his literary works and critical writings were published in 1908.
The Nightingale1 And The Rose



By Oscar Wilde

“She said that she would dance with me if I brought her red roses,” cried the young Student; “but in all my garden there is no red rose.”

From her nest in the holm-oak2 tree the Nightingale heard him, and she looked out through the leaves, and wondered.

“No red rose in all my garden!” he cried, and his beautiful eyes filled with tears. “Ah, on what little things does happiness depend! I have read all that the wise men have written, and all the secrets of philosophy are mine, yet for want of a red rose is my life made wretched.”

“Here at last is a true lover,” said the Nightingale. “Night after night have I sung of him, though I knew him not: night after night have I told his story to the stars, and now I see him. His hair is dark as the hyacinth3-blossom, and his lips are red as the rose of his desire; but passion has made his face like pale ivory, and sorrow has set her seal upon his brow.”

“The Prince gives a ball to-morrow night,” murmured the young Student, “and my love will be of the company. If I bring her a red rose she will dance with me till dawn. If I bring her a red rose, I shall hold her in my arms, and she will lean her head upon my shoulder, and her hand will be clasped in mine. But there is no red rose in my garden, so I shall sit lonely, and she will pass me by. She will have no heed of me, and my heart will break.”

“Here indeed is the true lover,” said the