Episode 207: The Last Rung on the Ladder (by Stephen King)

This week on The Easy Chair, I read a devastating short story by Stephen King: “The Last Rung on the Ladder.” This is absolutely not your typical Stephen King horror story, and it's a tale that you should definitely listen to along with a tall glass of iced tea on one of these hazy summer afternoons. Narrator Larry recounts the story of the long-ago day from his childhood on his family's farm, when he was playing with his kid sister Kitty, taking turns jumping from the top of their three-story barn rafters into the hayloft. The ladder is flimsy, and he knows it, but they jump one last time. As Kitty climbs to the top the last rung of the ladder gives way... This is a sweeping, complex tale of love, guilt, and innocence lost from Stephen King at the top of his storytelling game. Tune in! Our sponsor this week is Brooklinen. Now that the warmer weather is here,it’s time to switch up your sheets, duvets, and comforters to something a little breezier and blissfully lightweight. Check out Brooklinen’s newest Linen Collection. Get 10% off and free shipping by going to Brooklinen.com and using promo code CHAIR. I love my Brooklinen sheets and you will, too! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.