Fantastic Fables, Ambrose Bierce: The Thistles upon the Grave

Updated May 14, 2020 | Infoplease Staff

The Thistles upon the Grave

A MIND Reader made a wager that he would be buried alive and remain so for six months, then be dug up alive. In order to secure the grave against secret disturbance, it was sown with thistles. At the end of three months, the Mind Reader lost his money. He had come up to eat the thistles.

The Shadow of the Leader

A POLITICAL Leader was walking out one sunny day, when he observed his Shadow leaving him and walking rapidly away.

"Come back here, you scoundrel," he cried.

"If I had been a scoundrel," answered the Shadow, increasing its speed, "I should not have left you."