A short story by Jhumpa Lahiri, from her book of short stories The Interpreter of Maladies. The story is read by Mira Nair, director of the movies Mississippi Masala, Monsoon Wedding, and others. (28 minutes)
More in Fiction
Act Two: Meat Cute
A short piece of fiction from the perspective of aliens who’ve been scouting Earth, from writer Terry Bisson.
Act Two: Last Ride
What’s it like, being on that boat with the immortal ferryman, heading into the underworld? Writer Marie Phillips imagines one such trip.
Act Three: Replacement Claus
Jonathan Goldstein tells the story of Santa Claus, who, after losing his wife, Martha Claus, sets out to find love once again. Jonathan is the host of the podcast, Heavyweight.
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Somewhere in the Arabian Sea
Life aboard an aircraft carrier stationed in the Arabian Sea supporting bombing missions over Afghanistan.
Prom
While the seniors danced at Prom Night 2001 in Hoisington, Kansas—a town of about 3,000—a tornado hit the town.