Delightfully Infuriating
The Devoted Friend by Oscar Wilde & The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County by Mark Twain
This post has since been published as an audio post compatible with most podcast apps. You can find that new post here.
“Smiley said all a frog wanted was education, and he could do most anything—and I believe him.”
There are a number of well-known themes in classic literature: love, power and corruption, nature versus machine, and on and on. Today’s stories touch upon a lesser acknowledged theme with universal recognition: sometimes, life just isn’t fair.
Oscar Wilde was criticized for creating fairy tales that were too mature for children, perhaps by those forgetting that Grimms’ Fairy Tales were very grim indeed. In “Devoted Friend,” a tragic tale of a one-sided friendship, Wilde takes umbrage with do-gooders who find no exhaustion to their superfluous, destructive virtue. (He manages to take a few swipes at the literary scene and literary critics along the way.) The abuse suffered in this story by the ever-humble Little Hans is sure to remind all of us of the value of skepticism!
Speaking of skepticism, Mark Twain delivers a deeply cynical take in his folksy tale about a compulsive competitive bet-maker, Jim Smiley, and his over-educated frog. You won’t really know who to root for in “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County,” except, perhaps, Twain himself, who went on to produce his first book after the popularity of this story.
These two brief tales make for an entertaining pair. (This was also my first attempt at a drawl, so be kind! I’ll get better with time.) Please enjoy…
Before you float off to enjoy the story, please help Classics Read Aloud grow by “♡ Liking” this post and sending it to a friend—word of mouth is more powerful than any algorithm. Thank you!
Savoring: I have been on a constant quest for interesting, not-too-sweet cocktail alternatives for happy hour (i.e., while cooking dinner). “The Shrub” is a new favorite: 1/2-1T of a floral, good quality vinegar (I use the Floral & Flower varietal from West Maquoit Vinegar Works) + 2-3T fruit juice or mixer (Martini & Rossi Appertivos are great) + 1/2 can plain LaCroix, all over ice. Can be easily spiked ;)
Listening: We’ve been on a real Bill Withers kick lately, playing his Live from Carnegie Hill album (vinyl and Spotify) over the home speakers while falling into a good puzzle or project, a freshly poured Shrub at hand…it’s hard to compete with that. Withers’ wind-up to “Grandma’s Hands” is a page right out of Twain’s book.
Your stories are gems. My wife and I truly enjoy listening to you REAL read of such wonderful tales!! Thank you so much for the verbal expression of literary art!! Much appreciated.
Infuriating indeed!