Digest

This episode of 1,001 Classic Short Stories and Tales features "The Call" by Grace McGowan Cook. The story follows two young boys, Abner and Ross, who are attempting to make a social call on the Clayborn girls. Abner, who has been studying "hints and helps" for young men in social situations, is determined to make a good impression, but Ross is more comfortable with his own natural ways. Their attempts to follow Abner's instructions for making a call are hilarious, as they struggle with everything from dirty shoes to awkward conversations. Ultimately, Ross's natural instincts take over, and he ends up kissing Champ Clayborn in front of her family, much to everyone's amusement. The story is a humorous look at the awkwardness of adolescence and the challenges of navigating social situations.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction

This Chapter introduces the podcast, 1,001 Classic Short Stories and Tales, and its host, John Hegedorn. It also announces the story for the day, "The Call" by Grace McGowan Cook.

00:00:29

The Call: A Story of Social Awkwardness

This Chapter begins the story of "The Call." Two young boys, Abner and Ross, are walking down a dusty road. Abner is trying to look sophisticated, but Ross is more comfortable in his own skin. They are on their way to make a social call on the Clayborn girls, but they are both very nervous.

00:10:32

The Call: The Boys' Attempts to Make a Call

This Chapter continues the story of "The Call." Abner and Ross arrive at the Clayborn house and try to follow Abner's instructions for making a call. They struggle with everything from dirty shoes to awkward conversations. Ross is more comfortable with his own natural ways, and he ends up kissing Champ Clayborn in front of her family, much to everyone's amusement.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is the story "The Call" about?

  The Call is a short story by Grace McGowan Cook that follows two young boys, Abner and Ross, who are attempting to make a social call on the Clayborn girls. The story is a humorous look at the awkwardness of adolescence and the challenges of navigating social situations.

• Who are the main characters in "The Call"?

  The main characters in "The Call" are Abner and Ross. Abner is a young boy who is trying to be sophisticated and follow the rules of social etiquette, while Ross is more comfortable with his own natural ways.

• What is Abner's goal in the story?

  Abner's goal in the story is to make a good impression on the Clayborn girls. He is trying to follow the instructions in his book "Hints and Helps" for making calls, but his attempts are often awkward and hilarious.

• What happens when Ross and Abner arrive at the Clayborn house?

  When Ross and Abner arrive at the Clayborn house, they try to follow Abner's instructions for making a call. They struggle with everything from dirty shoes to awkward conversations. Ross is more comfortable with his own natural ways, and he ends up kissing Champ Clayborn in front of her family, much to everyone's amusement.

• What is the significance of the story's ending?

  The story's ending is significant because it shows that Ross has learned to be himself and that he doesn't need to follow the rules of social etiquette to be accepted. He has also learned that it is okay to be awkward and that sometimes the best way to make a good impression is to just be yourself.

Show Notes