Showing results by author "O. Henry" in All Categories

These treasured stories from the most influential authors of the 19th and early 20th centuries are selected for their literary importance as well as their dramatic, oral qualities. Listen to these 10 unabridged classics by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Herman Melville, O. Henry, and Willa Cather.

Narrator Nigel Hawthorne's exceptional talents as an actor bring comedy to the fore in this collection, extracting every nuance of humour from these seven great stories. Featuring "Brugglesmith" by Rudyard Kipling, "The Cricket Match" (from England, Their England) by A.G. Macdonell, "Reginald on House Parties" by Saki, "Winglebury Duel" by Charles Dickens, and more.

Set in New York at the turn of the century, the story centers on a young couple that sacrifices their dearest possessions to buy each other Christmas gifts.

Trying to make some fast cash, two small-time crooks devise a plan to kidnap the son of a wealthy family in a village and hold him for ransom. When the kidnapped boy pulls out his Hong Hou (“Red Monkey”) costume, the two burglars realize they may be in for more than they planned. As their ransom notes remain unanswered and their scheme starts to drag on, the two crooks find out for themselves how a child's imagination can spell disaster for two inexperienced criminal minds.

Christmas may come but once a year but human emotions, the driving force of our characters, are with us every day. Yet, somehow these same emotions when they happen at Christmas seem amplified; we seem more tender to their touch, their words. Whether it’s a long-lost returning soldier wondering how best to return to the arms of his family without too great a risk of shock... Or a prodigal son whose taken path has driven pain into his own and others hearts… These stories reveal much about the human condition.

El guardia y la antífona de O. Henry es un cautivador cuento que sigue las desventuras de Soapy, un vagabundo que vive en las calles de la ciudad de Nueva York. A medida que se acerca el invierno, Soapy decide ser arrestado para poder pasar los fríos meses en la cárcel, donde tendrá comida y refugio. Sin embargo, a pesar de sus mejores esfuerzos por cometer varios delitos menores, Soapy se ve frustrado repetidamente. En el camino, encuentra amabilidad y generosidad inesperadas por parte de extraños, lo que lo lleva a reconsiderar sus elecciones y el significado de la libertad.

Jim and Della are a poor couple, struggling to make ends meet. When the holidays roll around, Jim decides to sell his most prized possession to give his beloved the gift of her dreams. Della does the same for Jim, much to the surprise of the other. O. Henry's classic tale of sacrifice and true love rings in this wonderful season of hope and happiness in an unforgettable way.

Delve into the humor and charm of early 20th-century city life with O. Henry’s delightful short story, A Comedy in Rubber. Known for his clever wit and unexpected twists, O. Henry brings us a playful tale of misadventure, following a character who encounters a string of amusing predicaments—all set in motion by a simple trip in a vintage automobile. With every turn, the story unfolds with O. Henry’s signature blend of humor and irony, giving listeners a nostalgic glimpse into a bygone era.

Es Navidad. Delia y Jim están recién casados, y ninguno tiene suficiente dinero para hacerle un regalo al otro. El espíritu navideño conjugado con el enorme amor mutuo, hacen que esta pareja viva una experiencia inolvidable.

"El Teatro es la Vida" de O. Henry es una colección de cuentos que explora la naturaleza vibrante e impredecible de la existencia humana. A través de una serie de viñetas ambientadas en varios lugares, desde ciudades bulliciosas hasta pueblos tranquilos, O. Henry profundiza en las complejidades de las relaciones, aspiraciones y sueños humanos. Cada historia ofrece un vistazo a las vidas de personas comunes y corrientes que luchan contra el amor, la pérdida y la búsqueda de la felicidad.

"La habitación amueblada" de O. Henry es un cuento que sigue la historia de Soapy, un vagabundo que anhela una noche cálida y confortable en una cama. Desesperado por pasar la noche en una celda caliente, Soapy intenta cometer un delito menor para ser arrestado y llevarlo a la cárcel donde pueda encontrar refugio. Sin embargo, sus intentos son frustrados una y otra vez por diversas circunstancias. Finalmente, Soapy se encuentra enfrentando la realidad de su situación y la imposibilidad de cambiar su vida.

An enthralling collection of creepy and mysterious stories. From classic detective stories to spine-tingling horror and scary ghost stories, these tales will make your flesh crawl.... 1. 'A Ghost Story' by Mark Twain. 2. 'The Silver Mask' by Hugh Walpole. 3. 'The Cactus' by O. Henry. 4. 'Dead of Night' by W. F. Harvey. 5. 'The Terrible Old Man' by H. P. Lovecraft. 6. 'Rattle of Bones' by Robert E. Howard. 7. 'The Last Leaf' by O. Henry. 8. 'The Magnet' by Barry Pain. 9. 'Pickman’s Model' by H. P. Lovecraft.

O. Henry wove several stories together into this highly episodic narrative, taking his title and inspiration from Lewis Carroll's ballad of the walrus and the carpenter in Through the Looking-Glass. The stories are set in the fictional country of Anchuria in Central America, a banana republic where larceny is rampant and revolution lurking in every impoverished back alley. O. Henry offers a cutting satire of contemporary politics and prejudices.

Based on O. Henry's endearing tale. Once three wise men came bearing gifts. Now a light dust of snow quiets the city streets. Christmas was upon a young couple whose sharing of lives together had just begun. A gift was needed and only a dollar and eighty-seven cents had been saved. Can the joy, the dreams, the hope for the future, the burning flame of love, be adequately expressed with only a dollar and eighty-seven cents?

The World and the Door by O. Henry, narrated by Patrick Walls, is a captivating collection of short stories brimming with wit, charm, and the signature twists that have made O. Henry a beloved storyteller. Set against the backdrop of early 20th-century life, these tales explore human nature with humor and heart, often leading to surprising and unforgettable conclusions. From the bustling streets of New York to quieter, more intimate settings, O. Henry masterfully weaves narratives that capture both the joys and struggles of everyday people.

There is something about the number 3. The Ancient Greeks believed 3 was the perfect number, and in China 3 has always been a lucky number, and they know a thing or two. Whatever history and culture says WE think 3, a hat-trick of stories, is a great number to explore themes and literary avenues that classic authors were so adept at creating.

William Sydney Porter was born on 11th September 1862 in Greensboro, North Carolina. At age 3 his mother died from tuberculosis. From an early age it was clear Porter had a large appetite for reading as he absorbed the world around him. In December 1899 in McClure’s Magazine he published a short story as O Henry.

Satire, Humor and Irony in some cases have been regarded as the most effective source to understand a society, the oldest form of social study. Contents: The Cop and the Anthem by O. Henry; The Ransom of Red Chief by O. Henry; What Stumped the Blue Jays by Mark Twain; The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County by Mark Twain; The Toys of Peace by Saki (H. H. Munro); The Artful Hussar by Johann Peter Hebel; From The Surprising Adventures of Baron Munchausen by Rudolf Erich Raspe; The Golden Honeymoon by Ring Lardner; When I Was a Witch by Charlotte Perkins Gilman; Micromegas: A Philosophical History by Voltaire.

O. Henry’s The Ransom of Red Chief is a hilarious short story about a kidnapping gone terribly wrong. When two con men kidnap a rambunctious young boy, they quickly realize they’ve bitten off more than they can chew. The boy, who calls himself "Red Chief," turns the tables on his captors with his wild imagination and mischievous antics, making their scheme more of a nightmare than a payday.

There is something about the number 3. The Ancient Greeks believed 3 was the perfect number, and in China 3 has always been a lucky number, and they know a thing or two. Whatever history and culture says WE think 3, a hat-trick of stories, is a great number to explore themes and literary avenues that classic authors were so adept at creating.