The stories included in this collection are not in vain studied at school as outstanding examples of world literature. After all, each of these stories at one time became a genre and stylistic discovery in world literature. The collection contains works by American writers Jack London, Edgar Allan Poe and O. Henry, as well as Irish writer Oscar Wilde and English Herbert Wells. In the story "Thirst for Life" the trials that befell the protagonist are extremely highlighted: what is really important in life, how the will and dignity of man overcome the challenges of nature and the most difficult circumstances. "Golden Beetle" - the history of the search for treasures, the key to the location of which was encrypted. The stories belong to the early forms of the detective genre and the first literary works where cryptography appears. The stories "The Last Leaf" and "Gifts of the Magi" are poignant lyrical works in which humanity and self-sacrifice overcome life's difficulties and even tragic circumstances. "Star Boy" - one of the world's first fantasy stories about contact with an alien mind, which is opposed to an extremely rationalistic, heartless civilization and human civilization, emotional. "Magic Shop" - a short story, which is considered the beginning of the fantasy genre, tells about the visits of father and son to the magic shop and received there unusual gifts for the Jeep. The work teaches to dream, to be sensitive, kind and patient. Content: Jack London. Thirst for life; Edgar Poe. Golden beetle; O. Henry. Last leaf; O. Henry. Gifts of the Magi; Oscar Wilde. Star Boy; Herbert Wells. Magic shop.

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