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Clarence Day’s memoir of his self-important father, written just before the author’s death, was extremely popular. In this extract, he tells the reader about the evening when there was no ice at home and the dramatic steps his father took to solve the situation. A funny and affectionate portrait (2,140 words).

Mark Twain is famous for his acidic remarks about nearly every aspect of life and for a writing style that could make his readers laugh about the most serious subjects. Here he turns his attention to barbers (740 words).

This unhappy story is about two childhood friends – one charming and attractive and the other hard-working and loyal – who become business partners when they grow up. Sadly, jealousy gets in their way (4,050 words).

In this short tale, F. Scott Fitzgerald introduces us to a man who was once successful but has been away – we never find out where – and has only just returned to his old city. Here he takes his first walk in the streets that he once knew so well (1,100 words).

Sheepdogs. Why do they risk their lives to protect sheep? How does a sheepdog kill a wolf, one of the most dangerous animals in European forests? Why are some dogs great as guard dogs but cannot move sheep from one place to another? Read about shepherds’ relationship with their dogs and how they grow into such useful animals (1,050 words).

The mule is not a natural animal: it is a cross-breed between a donkey and a horse. It is useful to humankind though because it has the speed of one animal and the strength of the other. It is more intelligent than either of its parents, very loyal and extremely brave. Read about the remarkable history of this animal and its relationship to people (1,310 words).

Mrs. Baroda was not happy when her husband invited an old friend to spend some time at their country home. She had been looking forward to being alone with her husband after a busy few weeks spent with friends. To make matters worse, she was less impressed with the quiet man when he arrived – he did not seem to be half the man her husband had described. But then things changed … (1,300 words)

You can go anywhere in the world and listen to Bob Marley. His songs of peace and freedom, his belief in Rastafarianism and his smoking of cannabis have made him instantly recognisable everywhere. But reggae has a long history and has influenced many other kinds of music. (900 words)

When Fidel Castro overthrew the government in Cuba and began to make his revolutionary society, he faced a problem at once: how to start the people working and stop them dancing. And the dance was salsa. Although salsa originated in Central and Latin America, it has spread all over the world and influenced many other genres. Read more about it here (1,160 words).

The legendary detective investigates the disappearance of some valuable stones from a national treasure. All the clues point in one direction but Holmes is not convinced. (5,190 words)

In this very short story, the French master of the genre tells a charming tale of an old servant, his master (who is an ex-military man) and mistress, who live together in great unhappiness because the retired captain has a very bad temper. Nothing pleases him. Yet, in their own ways, the old lady and her servant are happy. De Maupassant tells us why (1,380 words).

In this very short story, Saki explores the idea that money is more important than blood. A very wealthy family has bought an old castle and are sitting down to dinner there with an old lady who works for them and some guests, when the wolves outside start to howl. The old lady announces that a member of the ancient family that once owned the property is about to die … (1,580 words)

There’s a lot of talk these days about the state of the planet. Children at primary school learn about the dangers facing our forests and rivers, the effects of global warming on glaciers and ice. Yet we hear very little about clouds. This article explains to us the different types of clouds and their importance for humankind (900 words).

The Italian Fascist dictator, Benito Mussolini, called himself ‘Il Duce’ (or The Leader), just as his friend and ally Adolf Hitler used the German ‘Der Führer’. But he ended his days hanging upside down outside a petrol station. This is the story of his rise to power, government and death (2,070 words).

A man and a married woman have been having an affair for a long time and the man is getting tired of the secretive lifestyle they must lead. While the woman loves him deeply, she is always anxious about being discovered because she cannot leave her husband and child. The an accident changes everything. (4,550 words)