The Gift of the Magi
A tender Christmas story about love, sacrifice, and two treasured gifts.
Read the full storyTimeless Stories, Beautifully Told
Read classic public-domain short stories by O. Henry, Oscar Wilde, Edgar Allan Poe, Mark Twain, Jack London, and more.
Free classic literature: Every original work in this collection is in the public domain, with its digital source linked on the reading page.
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The Last Leaf
A moving story of friendship, illness, art, and one final leaf.
Read the full storyThe Tell-Tale Heart
A haunting confession shaped by guilt, fear, and an unbearable heartbeat.
Read the full storyThe Happy Prince
A golden statue and a swallow discover compassion through selfless giving.
Read the full storyThe Selfish Giant
A giant learns generosity when spring refuses to enter his closed garden.
Read the full storyThe Open Window
A clever young storyteller turns an open window into a perfect deception.
Read the full storyThe Monkey's Paw
Three wishes bring a family face-to-face with fate and terrible consequences.
Read the full storyTo Build a Fire
A lone traveler confronts brutal cold in the Yukon wilderness.
Read the full storyAn Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge
Time, escape, and perception collide at a Civil War execution.
Read the full storyThe Celebrated Jumping Frog
A famously tall tale about betting, boasting, and an unusual frog.
Read the full storyThe Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Ichabod Crane meets mystery and terror in a haunted Hudson Valley.
Read the full storyThe Lady, or the Tiger?
A princess must choose between love, jealousy, and a deadly arena door.
Read the full storyThe Cop and the Anthem
A homeless man repeatedly fails at his unusual plan for the winter.
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