Ali's Short Story Blog

  On the Gull’s Road by Willa Cather   Characters: The Narrator, Alexandra Ebbling-A Norwegian Woman, Lars Ebbling-Alexandras Wife, Carin-The Ebblings daughter, The Doctor, Dame Ericson-A Woman, Niels Nannestad-Alexandra’s Father   Exposition: The Narrator was an artist who invited a young artist, a countryman of the narrator, to look at the paintings. The young painter was in shock to see the painting of a woman named Alexandera Ebbling and had eyes on it. He examined the date upon the sketch and asked the narrator, very earnestly, if the narrator could tell him whether the lady were still living.   Rising Action: They discuss about the sketch and suddenly it brought back memories. The story flashbacks twenty years ago when the narrator met Mrs. Ebbling on a ship named Germania. The narrator still feels that she was very different from all the beautiful and brilliant women the narrator has known.   Climax: the narrator and Alexandra Ebbling, a...

  The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving   Characters: Ichabod Crane-Teacher, Brom Bones-Mischievous Man, Katrina Van Tassel-Dutch Farmer, Headless Horseman, Hans Van Ripper-Old Farmer, Baltus Van Tassel-Father of Katrina   Exposition A teacher called Ichabod Crane had moved to a new town called Sleepy Hollow to teach other students. As he settles into his new role, he has eyes on a Dutch farmer called Katrina Van Tassel, who was the daughter of a wealthy man named Baltus Van Tassel. However, he has a competition, who goes by Brom Bones. He also has his eyes on Katrina and likes to play pranks on people. This town is known for its rumors of the headless horseman, that apparently lost its head in a battle.   Rising Action: At a festive gathering at the Van Tassel home, Ichabod hears numerous ghost stories. The tales of paranormal beings and spooky occurrences leave him on edge, and he imagines ghosts or goblins in almost everything he sees. ...

  The Monkey’s Paw   by W. W. Jacobs   Characters: Herbert White-Child of the White Family, Mrs. White-Mother of Herbert, Mr. White-Father of Herbert, Sergeant Major Morris-Old Friend of Mr. White, The Visitor   Exposition: In a cold and wet night, a small parlor at Laburnum Villa had Mr. White playing chess with his son, Herbert White. Meanwhile Mrs. White is knitting near the fire. A person named Sergeant Major Morris walked up to the door and knocked, he then entered and started talking about something he got from India, it was a monkey’s paw. The paw wasn’t just a regular paw. In fact, it was a magical one that gave 3 wishes.   Rising Action: Morris told him about its powers, but warned him that it has side effects. But Morris threw the paw into the fire to let it burn, and Mr. White went in to take it. He then held his hand up, and wished for 200 pounds, not realizing the side effects about to happen. Unfortunately, a visitor came and told the W...

  Rikki-Tikki-Tavi by Rudyard Kipling   Characters: Rikki-Tikki-Tavi-Young Mongoose, Nag-Cobra, Nagaina-Nag’s Wife, Darzee-Tailorbirds, Teddy-Son of Mrs. White and Mr. White, Chuchundra-Musk Rat   Exposition: A young mongoose who was living on the side of the road, is called Rikki-Tikki-Tavi. This young mongoose got swept away from his family because of a flood. No one cared for him and left him dying, until a young boy named Teddy, noticed him and took him to shelter.   Rising Action: Rikki was a curious mongoose where after he was healed started exploring the house curiously. The Teddy family was a little afraid from this mongoose, but Teddy’s Father told them there is nothing to be scared of. The family’s kindness and trust allow Rikki to feel comfortable at home.   Climax: Two cobra snakes called Nag and Nagaina invaded the Teddy family’s backyard, making it dangerous. Nag decided to leave the backyard and enter the bathroom to kill the huma...

  All Summer in a Day   by Ray Bradbury   Characters: Margot-9-year-old girl, William-Student, Children, Teacher   Exposition: On planet Venus, there is rain constantly pouring down and the sun only comes out once every seven years. Unfortunately, the sun would be out for only 1 hour and no longer. After the bright light, it goes back to pouring rain until the next 7 years.   Rising Action: One day, Margot told the children about how she saw the sun in her childhood. And despite living on a planet that rains constantly, the children of course didn’t believe her. But then, the shining sun rose and all the children were excited.   Climax: When the children, who have been excitedly expecting the rare existence of sunlight on Venus, lock Margot in a closet just as the sun begins to shine. They shut her away, denying her the chance to experience the sunlight she has been waiting for her whole life.   Resolution: For a lasting moment on ...

  Ransom of Chief   by O’ Henry   Characters: Johnny Dorset-Son of a rich man; Bill-Thief; Sam-Thief; Ebenezer Dorset-Father of Johnny Dorset.   Exposition: In the Southern States of Alabama, Sam and Bill where two thieves that wanted 2000$ to add to their current 600-dollar bank account. They plan on kidnapping Johnny Dorset, who was the son of a wealthy man called Ebenezer Dorset.   Rising Action: The two thieves met Johnny, and asked if he wanted some candy, then suddenly boy catches Bill neatly in the eye with a piece of brick. That boy put up a fight like a welter-weight cinnamon bear; but, at last, they got him down in the bottom of the buggy and drove away. They took him up to the cave and hitched the horse in the cedar brake. After dark, they drove the buggy to the little village, three miles away, where they had hired it, and walked back to the mountain.   Climax: When Ebenezer Dorset refuses to pay the fine and offers to take J...

  “Seventh Grade” by Gary Soto   Characters: Victor-7 th Grader, Teresa-Victors Crush, Michael-Victors Friend, Mr. Belton-Teacher, Mrs. Garza-Teacher, Mrs. Genies-Teacher, Mr. Bueller-Teacher, Mr. Lucas-Teacher   Exposition: At a school, a seventh grader named Victor was excited for his first day. He knew how to speak English and Spanish, but wanted to learn French as well. And on his first day, he found a girl he liked named Teresa. He promised that this year was going to be the year he gets Teresa.   Rising Action: Victor chose French class for two reasons which was to be in the same class as Teresa and to go to France. Then there is Michael, who he supposedly knew him a long time ago. He met him by the nonstop water fountain and did their “ raza ”-handshake. Victor got impressed by Michael’s face and asked him how he did it. He apparently had read a GQ magazine that his older brother had borrowed from the Book Mobile and noticed that the male models a...