Short Story: ‘A Piece of Red Calico’ by Frank Stockton

20 August 2010

BOB DOUGHTY:

Now, the VOA Special English program AMERICAN STORIES.

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Our story today is called “A Piece of Red Calico.” It was written by Frank Stockton. Stockton was a popular writer in the second half of the nineteenth century. He wrote a large number of stories for children and other stories for adults. His most famous work, "The Lady, or the Tiger?," can also be heard in VOA Special English. Now, here is Steve Ember with Frank Stockton's "A Piece of Red Calico."

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STEVE EMBER:

I was going to town one morning when my wife gave me a little piece of red calico cloth. She asked me if I would have time, during the day, to buy her two and a half meters of calico cloth like that. I told her that it would be no trouble at all. Putting the piece of brightly colored cloth in my pocket, I took the train to the city.

During the day, I stopped in at a large store. I saw a man walking the floor and asked him where I could see some red calico.

"This way, sir." And he led me up the store. "Miss Stone," said he to a young woman, "show this gentleman some red calico."

"What kind of red do you want?" asked Miss Stone.

I showed her the little piece of calico cloth that my wife had given me. She looked at it and gave it back to me. Then she took down a great roll of cloth and spread it out on the counter.