The Parrot

A drunkard and a brute, Patin's marriage to Désireé is an unhappy one. He leaves to go fishing one night during a terrible storm, and never returns. Désireé is convinced he has somehow managed to cheat death and lives in constant fear of his return. Some years later she buys a parrot, and her nightmare begins anew. Amusing and humorous, "The Parrot" is a short comedy in which Maupassant holds his cards close to his chest, keeping his readers guessing until the final page.

Guy de Maupassant (1850-1893) was a French writer. Famed for being a master of the short story, he also wrote travel books and occasionally dabbled in poetry. His stories mainly focus on the relationships between men and women sitting at crossroads in their lives - whether personal or professional. His dramatic flair is largely influenced by French novelist Gustave Flaubert and is perfect for fans of Anton Chekhov's short stories. The most notable of the 300 short stories that he wrote include 'Bel Ami', 'Une Vie', and 'The Dumpling'.