Stories Of Luck

This collection presents a variety of stories centered around the theme of luck, fate, and the unexpected twists of life. From ancient folklore to whimsical tales, the stories highlight characters whose fortunes change in unusual ways, often through acts of kindness, misfortune, or supernatural intervention.

Stories of Transformation and Fortune

Some stories explore the ways in which characters find luck through miraculous or unexplained events. In The Thin Santa Claus: The Chicken Yard That Was a Christmas Stocking, Mrs. Gratz, having lost her chickens, finds a purse containing a large sum of money and humorously claims it as a gift from Santa Claus. Similarly, The Luck of Roaring Camp follows the birth of a child named Tommy Luck, whose arrival transforms the behavior of the camp’s men, only for tragedy to strike when a flood takes both the child and a key figure in the community.

In Lazy Jack, the protagonist’s repeated failures lead to a twist of fortune when his clumsy actions make the daughter of a rich man laugh, curing her and securing his future. In The Master Mariner, a young fisherman is saved by a half-man, half-fish creature, leading to wealth and love despite facing dangerous odds.

The Influence of Good and Bad Deeds

Several stories highlight the role of personal actions in shaping one’s fortune. In Why The Owl Flies At Night, a boy named Pedro is rewarded by St. Anthony for his kindness and prayers, while his cruel stepmother is transformed into an owl. In The Traveler and Fortune, Dame Fortune warns a traveler who nearly falls into a well that people often blame her for their misfortune without recognizing their own mistakes.

The Bogey-Beast presents a tale of an old woman who discovers a pot filled with gold, only for it to change into a large creature upon reaching her home, leaving her with a sense of unexpected fortune. Fairy Gold is another example where characters dig for treasure, but ultimately face a warning from the moon about keeping the gold.

Stories of Simplicity and Happiness

Several stories center around the idea of finding happiness in simplicity and kindness. In Uncle Wiggily And The Lost Chipmunk, the protagonist helps a chipmunk find her way home, sharing a meal and experiencing contentment in a simple act of kindness. The Golden Goose tells the story of Simpleton, the youngest son, whose kindness leads to a golden goose and the eventual fulfillment of seemingly impossible tasks.

The Happy Family shares the story of two old snails who raise a seemingly ordinary snail, leading to the continuation of their family without encountering the external world. Similarly, Blanca and Rosalinde contrasts two sisters’ fates, with one finding happiness through simplicity and the other finding misery in royal life, offering a reflection on the pursuit of true contentment.

These stories of luck illustrate the diverse ways in which characters encounter fortune, whether through kindness, mistakes, or the unexpected guidance of supernatural forces.