A Literary Cornucopia

"Behind every woman is another strong woman." ~~Tina NeidleinWhen the month of May rolls around most of us think of our mother’s. Right? We begin to  reflect on times we spent with her. Both the good and the bad.  If she’s no longer around, we might feel a bit nostalgic, maybe regretting that we didn’t spend more time with her. In this month we also celebrate a special aunt, an older sister, or any maternal figure who may have played a special role in our lives. Anyway, whatever the thoughts, some of them just might overwhelm us.  This episode shares some memories. Blog: https://aliterarycornucopia.wordpress.com/

Poetry might just be the most powerful tool we have for healing ✨ Have you ever turned to a poem during a tough moment?In this episode, I share stories of how poetry crosses borders — languages, ages, and experiences — offering a quiet strength and reflection when words are hard to find.It’s more than just art; it’s a way to process grief, celebrate life, and find clarity in chaos. Ever felt that a poem changed your perspective?

Poetry is a form of literary art that uses language, rhythm, and vivid imagery to evoke emotions, ideas, and aesthetic experiences. Distinct from prose, it often features a condensed, musical structure with techniques like rhyme, meter, and metaphor to make the invisible visible, ranging from traditional sonnets to free verse.Poetry has a way of saying so much with so little. A few lines can hold entire worlds—memories, dreams, doubts, and quiet revelations. That’s what makes it so powerful.In this first poetry-focused episode of A Literary Cornucopia, I explore how poems inspire, educate, and move us. Through readings and reflections, you’ll hear how poetry transforms simple language into something deeply felt and unforgettable.Sit back, relax, and listen! Visit the blog for more info at aliterarycornucopia.wordpress.com

Kate Chopin’s "The Story of an Hour," first published in 1894, is a brief but powerful story often studied through a feminist lens. It follows Louise Mallard, a woman with a weak heart, who is carefully told that her husband, Brently Mallard, has died in a train accident.At first Louise reacts with grief. But when she sits alone by an open window, she begins to notice signs of life outside—fresh air, birds singing, and patches of blue sky. These images gradually awaken a realization she can hardly admit to herself: with her husband gone, her life may finally belong to her.Though she acknowledges that her husband had been kind, Louise begins to imagine a future defined by independence and self-determination. She quietly repeats the word “free,” recognizing that she will now live for herself.But Chopin ends the story with sharp irony. When Brently Mallard unexpectedly walks through the door alive, Louise collapses and dies. The doctors say she died of “joy that kills,” yet the reader understands a deeper truth.

He deliberately held out his wrist for the bird to take flight, and caught it again at the moment it spread its wings. He felt the plump shape strive and strain under his fingers; and, in a sudden access of troubled spite, shut the bird into a small box and fastened the bolt. 'Now you stay there,' he muttered; and turned his back on the shelf of birds. He moved warily along the hedge, stalking his granddaughter, who was now looped over the gate, her head loose on her arms, singing. The light happy sound mingled with the crooning of the birds, and his anger mounted.In Doris Lessing's story, an old man wrestles with the pain of losing his granddaughter to marriage — a quiet, profound reminder that life is about letting go, even when it hurts.

“Grandma, are you a witch?” I said.“Of course,” she said. “I thought you knew.”“Do you know how to cast spells and make potions?”“Depends,” she said. “What’s on your mind? Is it a love potion you need? Tell me all about it, Amy.”Real-world love remedies—from herbs to exotic foods—show us that obsession and desire have always fueled human fascination. Amy, a teenager who wants a boy to ask her to a dance is no exception.

"I would look up at the ceiling every time he came near me. I searched in the white color for the peace and tranquility I needed to make the most important decision of my life. "Micro fiction and flash fiction rely on implication and concise language to deliver maximum impact. Micro fiction is often poetic, punchy, and reliant on strong imagery. This special episode includes a micro fiction piece written by a former colleague. Blog: aliterarycornucopia.wordpress.com

"It's really an awfully simple operation, Jig," the man said. "It's not really an operation at all." The girl looked at the ground the table legs rested on."I know you wouldn't mind it, Jig. It's really not anything. It's just to let the air in." The girl did not say anything. You’ve heard the expression “the white elephant in the room.” Hemingway’s story “Hills Like White Elephants” addresses a topic that is taboo. This episode explores the ramifications of that topic.  Ernest Hemingway' s writing style is definitely different. Check out Episode 123 for another Hemingway story: "Old Man at the Bridge" https://open.spotify.com/episode/7ipyRwAnO5RoKNkrCIRHWl?si=sDsvcT2OSPCAL05IEFD-lw

Toni Morrison's impact on literature is profound. She is celebrated for her examination of Black American experiences, particularly those of Black women, within their communities. Morrison's writing style is known for its poetic and luminous prose, and she is considered one of the greatest contemporary American novelists.With The New Yorker article "The Work You Do, The Person You Are" we get an insight into Morrison's thoughts about work and earning money to help out her family. Check out both the blog post and ALC Episode 122 for more information on Toni Morrison.episode-146-toni-morrison-the-work-you-do-the-person-you-are

"Once upon a time there was a miller who had a beautiful daughter. When she came of age he wished that she was provided for and well married. He thought, "If a respectable suitor comes and asks for her hand in marriage, I will give her to him."Not long afterward a suitor came who appeared to be very rich, and because the miller could find no fault with him, he promised his daughter to him.The girl, however, did not like him as much as a bride should like her bridegroom. She did not trust him, and whenever she saw him or thought about him, she felt within her heart a sense of horror."Before fairy tales became gentle and familiar, they were stories meant to endure.Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm preserved tales shaped by hunger, fear, and hope—stories rooted in real lives and passed quietly from one generation to the next. These were not originally children’s stories, but cultural memory in symbolic form.The Brothers Grimm helped define the modern fairy tale and influenced world literature in lasting ways. Every retelling, no matter how softened, still carries the echo of its origins."The Robber Bridegroom" is just one of those many retellings.

When we think of J.R.R. Tolkien, we usually think big: quests, wars, and vast imaginary landscapes. But one of the most revealing windows into his creative life comes from something much smaller—his Christmas letters to his children.For more than twenty years, Tolkien wrote as Father Christmas, describing life at the North Pole in words and pictures. These letters were playful, sometimes chaotic, and deeply imaginative, filled with Elves, Goblins, and the ever-troublesome North Polar Bear. They weren’t meant for publication. They were meant to be believed.What’s striking is how familiar the creative instincts feel. Invented alphabets, layered backstories, recurring characters—it’s all there, just scaled to the size of childhood wonder. Letters from Father Christmas reminds us that Tolkien’s greatest worlds didn’t begin as epics. They began as acts of love, shared between a father and his children.https://aliterarycornucopia.wordpress.com/home/blog-posts/

She carried a quantity of matches in an old apron, and she held a bundle of them in her hand. Nobody had bought anything of her the whole livelong day; no one had given her a single farthing.She crept along trembling with cold and hunger--a very picture of sorrow, the poor little thing!What makes The Little Match Girl so striking is its simplicity. A young girl wanders the snowy streets on New Year’s Eve, trying to sell matches. She’s cold, starving, and afraid to return home. Every time she lights a match to warm herself, she’s transported—briefly—into visions of warmth, love, and comfort. In her final vision she sees her grandmother, and she follows her into a world free from pain. Throughout his life, Andersen felt like an outsider—because of his class background, his lanky appearance, and his unreturned romantic attachments. This sense of longing shows up again and again in his stories, especially the sadder ones. You can feel it in The Little Mermaid, The Ugly Duckling, and of course The Little Match Girl. These are stories about characters who dream of belonging somewhere else, somewhere kinder.

James Baldwins' story "Why He Carried The Turkey" is taken from Fifty Famous People - A Book of Short Stories, 1912."Well, that is lucky," said the old man, smiling. "I happen to be going that way, and I will carry your turkey, if you will allow me.""That is John Marshall, Chief Justice of the United States. He is one of the greatest men in our country," was the answer.The young gentleman was surprised and ashamed. "Why did he offer to carry my turkey?" he asked.James Baldwin was an influential American writer. He was an essayist, novelist, and playwright whose eloquence and passion on the subject of race in America made him one of the most important voices of the 20th century.  

She descended into the basement, hunting for the wine her uncle had hidden there. A vintage from 1847. November, no less. Her birthday month. A coincidence? A grand reserve, priceless beyond imagination.The stairs looked ready to betray her. Narrow. Uneven. Crumbling. Why, why had she worn heels today? Each step felt like a gamble. The railing, thin and wobbly, seemed more dangerous than helpful. In a quest story the ultimate goal can be a physical object, a place, a person, or an internal change, and the journey often leads to personal growth and self-discovery for the hero (in this case it's a she).  The physical object here is a valuable vintage wine bottle. Will our heroine pass the test to obtain this prize possession?

"It was not too long ago that he felt free as a bird. He always had the choice of doing whatever he wanted to do or wherever he wanted to go. No one could stop him, until that one day. He couldn’t stop thinking of the day he met Angela. The first time he laid eyes on her, he thought he was seeing an angel in the flesh. Was it a coincidence that her name was Angela?"As a fan of mysteries I enjoy writing mysterious narratives. This is just one of a few that I've written.

“A big old ugly witch and I told her to go away and she went away,” the little boy went on, in a quiet narrative to himself, “she came and said, ‘I’m going to eat you up,’ and I said, ‘no, you’re not,’ and I chased her away, the bad old mean witch.”Although very short (just over 1,400 words), there are enough dark elements in this Shirley Jackson story to unsettle most readers. Themes in this story include parental inattention, boredom, imagination, witchcraft, innocence and its possible manipulation, violence.

"It's Miss Fairchild," he said, with a smile. "I'll ask you to excuse the other hand; "it's otherwise engaged just at present."He slightly raised his right hand, bound at the wrist by the shining "bracelet" to the left one of his companion. The glad look in the girl's eyes slowly changed to a bewildered horror. The glow faded from her cheeks. Her lips parted in a vague, relaxing distress. "Hearts and Hands" is a short story which centers on a chance encounter on a train between a young woman, Miss Fairchild, and an old acquaintance, Mr. Easton.O. Henry's stories are known for their irony and compassion, and "Hearts and Hands" is no exception.

"It became obvious that this was special occasion and that she had planned a surprise." "Birthday party" is a brief, observational story about a married couple in a restaurant where the wife attempts a public birthday surprise for her husband. Katharine Brush's short stories have been compared, in their lack of sentiment and their sharpness, with those of F. Scott Fitzgerald, her  more famous contemporary.

"I asked her pardon for the cruel lesson and, to her great surprise, gave her eighty rubles. She murmured her little "merci" several times and went out. I looked after her and thought: "How easy it is to crush the weak in this world!" ("A Nincompoop)" Anton Chekhov (1860–1904) was a Russian playwright and master of the modern short story, known for his laconic precision in probing the hidden motives of his characters.

Gwendolyn Brooks (1917–2000) was an influential 20th-century poet and the first African American to win the Pulitzer Prize in 1950. Her short story "Home," later incorporated into her novel Maud Martha, centers around a family's anxiety and eventual relief as they await the outcome of a bank loan application.

With the third week of kindergarten Charles was an institution in our family; the baby was being a Charles when she cried all afternoon; Laurie did a Charles when he filled his wagon full of mud and pulled it through the kitchen; even my husband, when he caught his elbow in the telephone cord and pulled the telephone and a bowl of flowers off the table, said, after the first minute, “Looks like Charles.” Laurie's parents were worried that Charles might be a bad influence on their little boy.Shirley Jackson (1916–1965) was an American novelist and short story writer, most famous for her short story "The Lottery" (1948).  "Charles" is a favorite of many readers.

Once upon a time, in a far country, there lived a King whose daughter was the prettiest princess in the world. Her eyes were like the cornflower, her hair was sweeter than the hyacinth, and her throat made the swan look dusty. And so begins James Thurber's unusual fairy tale. The stories of the journalist-cartoonist are deceptively simple and charming in style yet unflinchingly clear-sighted in their appraisal of human foibles.James Grover Thurber was an American cartoonist, writer, humorist, journalist, and playwright. He was best known for his cartoons and short stories, published mainly in The New Yorker and collected in his numerous books.

His face was the face of a student, thin and ascetic, but his eyes had the cold gleam of the fanatic. "The Sniper" is a powerful and concise short story by the Irish writer Liam O'Flaherty, first published in 1923. It's set in Dublin during the Irish Civil War (1922-1923), a conflict that pitted Irish citizens against each other over the Anglo-Irish Treaty.Liam O’Flaherty (1896–1984) was an Irish novelist and short story writer, considered to be a leading figure of the Irish Renaissance. His works combined naturalism, psychological analysis, poetry, and satire with respect for the courage of the Irish people.

A spirited discussion springs up between a young girl who insists that women have outgrown the jumping-on-a-chair-at-the-sight-of-a-mouse era and a colonel who says that they haven’t.“A woman’s unfailing reaction in any crisis,” the colonel says, “is to scream. And while a man may feel like it, he has that ounce more of nerve control than a woman has. And that last ounce is what counts.”There has always been a debate on man versus woman under a crisis. In "The Dinner Party" we can draw our own conclusions as to who shows greater control."The Dinner Party" by Mona Gardner was first published in The Saturday Review of Literature in 1941.

Leo Rosten (April 11, 1908- Feb. 19, 1997) was a Polish-born American author and social scientist best known for his popular books on Yiddish and for his comic novels featuring the immigrant night-school student Hyman Kaplan.He wrote "The Path Through the Cemetery" under the pen name of Leonard Q, Ross. In the story, the lieutenants' challenge sets into motion Iván's attempt to master his fear.

"Oh dear, no," said the old man. "It would be no good charging that sort of price for a love potion, for example. Young people who need a love potion very seldom have five thousand dollars. Otherwise they would not need a love potion."John Collier (1901-1980) was a British-born author and screenwriter, primarily known for his darkly humorous and often macabre short stories. "The Chaser" remains a popular example of Collier's talent for crafting concise, impactful stories with a dark edge and a memorable twist.

Bertrand Russell was a British philosopher, logician, and social reformer, known as a founder of analytic philosophy and a Nobel Prize winner.His early life was marked by tragedy, losing his parents, sister, and grandfather by age six, after which his grandmother cared for him and his brother. In the essay "How to Grow Old," Russell gives the reader advice on growing old (but it's really more on "how not to grow old").

"No ... no .. ." Jacques said softly. "None of us knew. Only one knew--a friend of his named Joseph ... It was a secret, I think, just between those two."The author of "A Secret for Two," Quentin James Reynolds, was an American journalist and World War II war correspondent. As an associate editor at Collier's Weekly from 1933 to 1945, Reynolds averaged 20 articles a year. He also published 25 books.

Uncle Basil had heard all the words they called him because he wasn't as deaf as he made out. He knew he was a mangy, stingy, penny-pinching screw, scrimp, scraper, pinchfist, hoarder, and curmudgeon (just to start with). There were other words, less gentle, he'd also heard himself called. He didn't mind. What galled him was the oft repeated warning, "You can't take it with you." After all, it was all his.Eva-Lis Wuorio' s work was principally for children and young adults. “You Can’t Take It With You” is a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed and the idea that material wealth is ultimately transient. It is from a collection of short stories called Escape If You Can.

Isaac Asimov was a prolific writer, contributing significantly to science fiction and popular science literature. He wrote or edited about 500 books, including the renowned Foundation and robot series. His story "Nightfall" (1941) is considered one of the greatest science fiction short stories. Asimov's work on the Three Laws of Robotics greatly influenced the portrayal of robots in literature.Despite its brevity, "The Fun They Had" packs a punch. This science fiction story is about the school experience of two children, Margie and Tommy, living in 2155. Tommy has "found a real book!" The children are fascinated with the find.

He was wild and lost to the world as he painted, his only thought was to complete a perfect likeness of his beautiful young wife to be captured for eternity. "The Oval Portrait" was one of Poe's briefest stories in the genres of mystery and the macabre. Link to podcast episode 4:https://open.spotify.com/episode/4WaBJLJ4oLCkq2mFot8jEvhttps://aliterarycornucopia.wordpress.com/2025/03/10/episode-124-edgar-allan-poe-and-the-oval-portrait/

Ernest Hemingway was an influential American novelist and short-story writer, born on July 21, 1899, in Cicero, Illinois, and died on July 2, 1961, in Ketchum, Idaho. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1954, recognized for his impactful prose style and adventurous life. Hemingway's writing is noted for its intense masculinity and concise, lucid prose, which significantly influenced 20th-century American and British fiction. "The Old Man at the Bridge" is a prime example of his narrative style.

Toni Morrison was a celebrated American writer known for her exploration of the Black experience, particularly the Black female experience. She became the first Black female writer to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature (1993).The short story “Sweetness” was originally published inThe New Yorkerin February 2015. It became the opening chapter of her novelGod Help the Child. The story is narrated in the first person by a woman named Sweetness, reflecting on her relationship with her daughter, Lula Ann.

Oscar Wilde's' plays were mostly directed at adult audiences. They displayed his wit. However, this controversial Irish writer also wrote charming stories for children. "The Selfish Giant" was part of his short story collection The Happy Prince and Other Tales. ALC Blog: https://aliterarycornucopia.wordpress.com/home/about-a-literary-cornucopia-podcast/

William Faulkner’s works, many set in a fictional county, reflect the complexities and contradictions of the South. His influence extends to countless writers, and his themes remain relevant in contemporary discussions of history and culture. Faulkner is celebrated as a pioneer of modernist fiction and a chronicler of the American South. "A Rose for Emily" is a Southern Gothic short story that tells the story of Emily Grierson, an eccentric and reclusive woman. For more information on Faulkner, click the link: https://www.britannica.com/biography/William-Faulkner/Later-life-and-works

"Of all who give gifts, these two were the most wise. Of all who give and receive gifts, such as they are the most wise. Everywhere they are the wise ones. They are the magi." The Gift of the Magi (O. Henry) What are our true feelings when we exchange gifts with the ones we love?

“The name Thomas Hardy has meant surefire gloom and doom for a century. No one has ever gone to Thomas Hardy for light reading. What a surprise then, to discover this almost frivolous adventure of a juvenile detective among so much adversity and pessimism. ‘The Thieves Who Couldn’t Help Sneezing’ is startling proof that man cannot live on misery alone. Not even Thomas Hardy. “ (Murder for Christmas) Blog post: https://aliterarycornucopia.wordpress.com/

Leo Tolstoy was a Russian author, a master of realistic fiction and one of the world’s greatest novelists. Most readers will agree with the assessment of the 19th-century British poet and critic Matthew Arnold that a novel by Tolstoy is not a work of art but a piece of life; the Russian author Isaak Babel commented that, if the world could write by itself, it would write like Tolstoy. This episode includes a reading of Part One of “How Much Land Does a Man Need?” 

“Two Kinds” was published in 1989 as part of Amy Tan’s book The Joy Luck Club.  The story is narrated by a Chinese-American woman, named Jing-mei, who is looking back on her upbringing in the United States.   A closer look at the story reveals that ‘Two Kinds’ is about the relationship between parents and their children, and what motivates a ‘pushy parent’ to encourage their child into working hard to achieve something.

American poet, memoirist, and actress Maya Angelou wrote several volumes of autobiography that explore the themes of economic, racial, and sexual oppression. She is perhaps best known for her autobiographical work "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" (1969). The book garnered critical acclaim and a National Book Award nomination. It is the first of Angelou’s six autobiographies and is widely taught in schools. But because of its themes, it has faced controversy. 

Langston Hughes was a central figure in the Harlem Renaissance, a cultural movement that celebrated African American cultural expressions. His work spanned various genres, including poetry, plays, novels, and newspaper columns, focusing on the African American experience. The episode includes a reading of his short story, “Thank You, Ma'am.” Comments or recommendations may be addressed through the podcast app or via email at [email protected]

Although often labeled a science fiction writer, Ray Bradbury himself noted that much of his work was fantasy, horror, or mystery, with "Fahrenheit 451" being his only true science fiction book.  His work remains highly relevant in today's world due to its exploration of themes such as censorship, the suppression of dissenting ideas, and the impact of technology on society.

The term "Jazz Age" was made popular by F. Scott Fitzgerald himself. It refers to the 1920s, a period marked by significant cultural and social changes, particularly in the United States. Jazz music became the dominant sound of the era defining the cultural aspect. In Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby, Jazz music and "booze" was prevalent in the extravagant parties Jay Gatsby threw for his guests. Check out the following YouTube site for examples of the music and the "flappers" who danced to it. https://youtu.be/Bzb1xTYT1vc?si=EzdCSQoRi5x2Aot_

Richard Connell began his career as a journalist at a young age, contributing to his father's newspaper, the Poughkeepsie News-Press. His story “The  Most Dangerous Game” remains his most enduring work.  The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell.pdf

H. H. Munro, British author and humorist, was a writer of the Edwardian era, a time of great social and economic change. Rapid industrialization, urbanization, and growing social unrest were changes that influenced Munro’s writings. His short story “The Open Window” is an anthology classic. https://americanliterature.com/author/hh-munro-saki/short-story/the-open-window/

Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre is semi autobiographical. What does it tell us as readers of this author’s complex world? The orphan Jane Eyre experiences first hand the expectations of a society that is unsympathetic to females of her class. She finds love only to lose it abruptly. She achieves personal growth through her strong will and sense of independence. Jane Eyre goes beyond the gothic elements defining a woman's role during the late 18th century.

A Math and logic professor by day and an author by night. Who would have guessed that Charles Lutwidge Dodgson and Lewis Carroll were one and the same? Could these two personalities be more incompatible? Very shy and often bullied at school, this writer of the wonderful children’s book Alice in Wonderland also endured several illnesses, one of which left him deaf in one ear. 

J.R.R. Tolkien, the English writer and scholar achieved fame with his creative epic stories: The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. He created detailed languages and rich mythology for Middle-earth, making it a believable and immersive world for readers. His works continue to inspire and influence writers, scholars, and readers around the world.

C. S. Lewis was one of the intellectual giants of the twentieth century and without a doubt one of the most influential writers of his day. He might be best known for “The Chronicles of Narnia" which is a series of seven high-fantasy novels, written between 1949 and 1954 and published from 1950 to 1956. The series is considered a classic of children's literature and has been adapted for radio, television, the stage, and film. He wrote over thirty books both fiction and non-fiction which earned him a well-deserved place among the writers of his day and beyond.

For those into fantasy, horror, science fiction, and graphic novels, Neil Gaiman is the writer of choice. Influenced in part by C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Edgar Allan Poe, it is not surprising that his work has earned him fame.