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    536 Results with the "Fiction" genre


    • THE END OF TROY AND THE SAVING OF HELEN Cover
      by LovelyMay In the culminating events of the Trojan War, as depicted in "Tales of Troy," the Trojans witnessed the Greek fleet's departure and discovered their deserted camp and a giant wooden horse left behind, amidst their joy and suspicion. The Trojans, upon finding Sinon—a Greek left intentionally—were initially hostile but became intrigued by his fabricated story of being a scapegoat for the Greeks, condemned to death as a sacrifice to the gods for a safe journey home. Sinon cunningly persuaded the Trojans of…
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      The Dusk Market

      The Dusk Market Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter introduces the enigmatic Dusk Market, a hidden marketplace that emerges at twilight, filled with sensory richness—smoky stockfish, buzzing flies, sizzling agbara pans, and the cacophony of bartering voices. The market is preceded by flickering kerosene lanterns, guiding the way for those who belong. Ordinary pedestrians and drivers avoid the intersection instinctively, though children occasionally glimpse surreal sights like head-hopping men or winking birds, which adults dismiss or ignore.…
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      The Diver

      The Diver Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with a tense domestic scene where the police arrive at G’s house, investigating photographs of her daughter that were flagged by a printer. G’s husband diffuses the situation with charm, convincing the officers it was a misunderstanding—he had merely complained about print quality. His performance shifts the officers from suspicion to acquiescence. However, once they leave, his facade collapses into violent rage. He shouts at G and their daughter, throws objects, and physically…
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      The Day of Days

      The Day of Days Cover
      by LovelyMay The narrative eloquently captures the quintessence of childish glee, anchoring it around the seemingly trivial yet profoundly significant moment when children are permitted by their mother to embrace the freedom of going barefoot. This permission marks the advent of warmer days, symbolizing a release from the confines of winter and the restrictive footwear associated with it. The anticipation and pleading for this liberation is depicted as a recurrent springtime ritual, eagerly awaited by the children, who…
      Fiction • Poetry
    • THE CRUELTY OF ACHILLES, AND THE RANSOMING OF HECTOR Cover
      by LovelyMay In the tale of "The Cruelty of Achilles, and the Ransoming of Hector" from "Tales of Troy," the story begins with the ghost of Patroclus appearing to Achilles, urging him to conduct funeral rites. Achilles responds by gathering wood for a massive funeral pyre, covering Patroclus in white linen, and sacrificing cattle along with twelve Trojan prisoners as an honor—but this act is marked by shame due to Achilles' wrath and grief. After the pyre burns through the night, Patroclus' bones are encased in gold…
    • The Circus Boys On The Mississippi Cover
      by LovelyMay The Circus Boys on the Mississippi by Edgar B. P. Darlington is an adventurous tale that follows the young circus performers, the Circus Boys, as they travel along the Mississippi River, facing challenges, thrilling escapades, and encountering new people while pursuing their dreams in the world of circus entertainment.
    • THE CATTLE-DEALERS Cover
      by LovelyMay In "The Cattle-Dealers," a chapter from "The Schoolmistress and Other Stories," we are introduced to the arduous journey of Gavril Malahin and his son Yakov (Yasha) as they transport eight vanloads of cattle by train to the city. The narrative opens with them waiting in a cold, cramped van alongside their livestock, emphasizing the discomfort and harsh conditions of their trip. Malahin Senior is depicted as a grizzled, experienced cattle dealer, accustomed to the vagaries and corruption endemic to the…
    • THE CASE OF GEORGE DEDLOW Cover
      by LovelyMay Rejected by medical journals, George Dedlow's narrative unfolds the extraordinary and psychical journey of his life, particularly during and after the Civil War. Being a physician's son with aspirations to partner with his father, George's path takes a detour as the Civil War ignites. With medical studies interrupted and propelled by necessity and sense of duty, he joins the army as an assistant surgeon. Dedlow's service is marked by his eventual transition into active combat roles, leading to a grievous…
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      The Call

      The Call Cover
      by LovelyMay "The Call" captures the allure and optimism of striving toward a life filled with joy, as visualized from a metaphorical hilltop. It speaks to the human spirit's unwavering determination to overcome life’s adversities and reach a place of happiness and tranquility. The poem conveys a message of hope and the belief that through perseverance and courage, one can ascend above trials and despair, towards a future of serenity and fulfillment. Joy, personified, stands on the hilltops, extending an invitation…
      Fiction • Poetry
    • THE BOYHOOD AND PARENTS OF ULYSSES Cover
      by LovelyMay In ancient Ithaca, a rugged, mountainous island on Greece's west coast, reigned a king named Laertes. This tiny kingdom, described as shield-shaped due to its twin peaks and valley, lacked horses, thus, chariot warfare was absent. Laertes' son, Ulysses, unlike others, fought on foot. Despite the absence of horses, Ithaca flourished with livestock and wildlife, and its seas teemed with fish, ensuring a prosperous life for its inhabitants. Its climate was mild, adorned with a long summer and brief winter,…
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