Fifty selected tales from this 19th century life affirming author, tales similar to what might be called modern fables. Maupassant has something to appeal to every reader.

Introduction -- Mademoiselle Fifi -- Vain beauty -- The Horla -- Madame Tellier's excursion -- The piece of string -- A matter of business -- The story of a farm-girl -- That pig of a Morin -- The umbrella -- Was it a dream? -- The false gems -- Hautot Senior & Hautot Junior -- A family affair -- A Normandy joke -- The diamond necklace -- In the moonlight -- Love -- The little cask -- Clochette -- A fishing excursion -- Humiliation -- Julie Romain -- The specter -- My Uncle Sostenes -- The duel -- A vagabond -- Madame Parisse -- One phase of love -- Simon's papa -- The vendetta -- The farmer's wife -- The signal -- Love's awakening -- The olive grove -- Saved -- A country excursion -- The diary of a madman -- Two little soldiers -- The white wolf -- The devil -- A lucky burglar -- Moonlight -- The mad woman -- A costly outing -- Babette -- Toine -- The Marquis de Fumerol -- Ugly -- Ball-of-fat.