Short Stories (English III) 

Stories about Human Nature

1. "The Lottery" – Shirley Jackson
   A chilling exploration of conformity, tradition, and the darkness lurking within society.
   
   

2. "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas" – Ursula K. Le Guin
   A philosophical and ethical dilemma about the price of happiness and the morality of sacrificing one for the good of many.
   
   

3. "A Good Man is Hard to Find" – Flannery O’Connor
   A dark, ironic story about grace, morality, and the capacity for evil.
   
   

4. "The Man in the Well" – Ira Sher
   A haunting story about children who reveal their true nature when given power over another person.

Science Fiction

7. "The Veldt" – Ray Bradbury
   A cautionary tale about technology, family dynamics, and human detachment.
   
   

8. "Nightfall" – Isaac Asimov
   Explores how humanity reacts to the unknown and the idea of inevitable destruction.
   
   

9. "There Will Come Soft Rains" – Ray Bradbury
   A poignant reflection on human self-destruction and nature’s indifference.
   
   

10. "The Paper Menagerie" – Ken Liu
    A deeply emotional story about cultural identity, connection, and the human need for love and understanding.
    
    

Psychological & Philosophical Stories

11. "The Monkey’s Paw" – W.W. Jacobs
    A timeless warning about fate, human greed, and unintended consequences.
    
    

12. "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" – Ambrose Bierce
    A meditation on perception, time, and the fragility of human life.
    
    

13. "The Guest" – Albert Camus
    A thought-provoking look at free will, moral ambiguity, and existentialism.
    
    

14. "Cathedral" – Raymond Carver
    A minimalist yet profound story about perspective, transformation, and human connection.