This anthology features texts that illustrate the development of the short story from the 19th century to the present, with works by authors such as Charles Dickens, R.L. Stevenson, H.G. Wells, D.H. Lawrence, K. Mansfield, W.S. Maugham, V.S. Naipaul, S. Rushdie, Helen Simpson, and G. Greene. The collection offers an exceptionally broad range of stories, both in time period and theme. This allows students to encounter protagonists from all walks of life, from the upper classes to victims of poverty. These stories stimulate, entertain, excite, or astonish readers, with a panorama of human experiences designed to make them laugh, cry, and wonder.