Kay Mack Reads

This collection of short stories was originally published in 1915, but the modern reader will find much in common the themes presented throughout the work. Dunsany expresses deep concern about the changing world about him, worrying at how increasing industrialization affects the natural world. He also has a keen awareness of the impermanence of human achievements, with many stories touching on how time has erased most of human accomplishments and how so little really lasts. His work is infused with humor, melancholy, and poetic turns of phrase. The work is as relevant today as it was when it was written, and well worth remembering. 

Pan is dead, that much is certain. Ignore the laughter coming from the hills.

What do we prioritize? What should we prioritize?

A Palace and and the lair of an Earthquake. What could possible go wrong?

You may easily turn the mother away, but her sons will come to you no matter what you do.

The muses care not for the lives of who they call and they will not be ignored. The message is all that matters.

The Poet delights in the Blackbird's song, but the Wanderer is less than impressed.

Nature reproaches Time, much to Time's annoyance.

Two men return to Stonehenge, one last time to make a sacrifice. I try and leave it before they notice me.

It is not so easy to escape a dream.

A disagreement about the future of the Furrow Maker.

A mist is made up of multitudes.

Beware the God of Rainy Cheerfulness.

I came across an angel building a new hell for the very worst kind of sinner.

Bet your neighbor doesn't have a sphinx. You better get one first.

I pray all my most secret prayers to the Lonely Idol.

Death is ill, but luckily the doctors know just what he needs to feel better.

What happens to a city when the poets and artists have left?

When greater beings survey the ruined world, will they find anything of value?

I happened upon a group of men with pickaxes taking up Picadilly street. And when I say taking it up, I mean taking it all the way up.

Man attempts to comfort Death by reminding him of past victories.

The enemy passes through the Gate of Doom, on his way to destroy Thlunrana.

Spring sends Winter on his way.

The swans return song to the gods, and larks return song to the world.

The Puritan has always lived a godly life, so why, on his death-bed, does the devil call him friend?

I went to lay a wreath for the fragile passing years, and found instead that they were immortal.

What does it mean to live in a world where a tortoise is acknowledged to be faster than a hare?

Is she Fame? Or someone else?

Don't judge a ship by its sails.

King Karna-Vootra promises to tell the world about the beauty of his lover, if only she will stay with him forever.

From Fifty-One Tales, by Lord Dunsany. Originally published in 1915, and read out loud by Kay Mack.

From Fifty-One Tales, by Lord Dunsany. Originally published in 1915, and read out loud by Kay Mack.

From Fifty-One Tales, by Lord Dunsany. Originally published in 1915, and read out loud by Kay Mack.

From Fifty-One Tales, by Lord Dunsany. Originally published in 1915, and read out loud by Kay Mack.

From Fifty-One Tales, by Lord Dunsany. Originally published in 1915, and read out loud by Kay Mack.

From Fifty-One Tales, by Lord Dunsany. Originally published in 1915, and read out loud by Kay Mack.

From Fifty-One Tales, by Lord Dunsany. Originally published in 1915, and read out loud by Kay Mack.   The line the angel speaks to the worm that angers him so written in greek in the original text. It's from Homer's The Illiad. 

From Fifty-One Tales, by Lord Dunsany. Originally published in 1915, and read out loud by Kay Mack.

From Fifty-One Tales, by Lord Dunsany. Originally published in 1915, and read out loud by Kay Mack.

From Fifty-One Tales, by Lord Dunsany. Originally published in 1915, and read out loud by Kay Mack.

From Fifty-One Tales, by Lord Dunsany. Originally published in 1915, and read out loud by Kay Mack.

From Fifty-One Tales, by Lord Dunsany. Originally published in 1915, and read out loud by Kay Mack.

From Fifty-One Tales, by Lord Dunsany. Originally published in 1915, and read out loud by Kay Mack.

From Fifty-One Tales, by Lord Dunsany. Originally published in 1915, and read out loud by Kay Mack.

From Fifty-One Tales, by Lord Dunsany. Originally published in 1915, and read out loud by Kay Mack.

From Fifty-One Tales, by Lord Dunsany. Originally published in 1915, and read out loud by Kay Mack.

From Fifty-One Tales, by Lord Dunsany. Originally published in 1915, and read out loud by Kay Mack.

From Fifty-One Tales, by Lord Dunsany. Originally published in 1915, and read out loud by Kay Mack.

From Fifty-One Tales, by Lord Dunsany. Originally published in 1915, and read out loud by Kay Mack.

This story is from Lord Dunsany's Fifty-One Tales, originally published in 1915, and is read out loud by Kay Mack.