Do you know this short story?

[Ezlivin]

When I was in college in the 70s, I read a short story in an anthology that began with a quotation from Blake's "Tyger". (The anthology had a golden cover, but I don't know if it was a Norton's anthology. I've checked their website.)

The story revolved around a black man who was an Army veteran. He kept a very neat room, was fastidious in how he did things (even chopping and stacking wood). He taught the (white) boys how to throw a football in a perfect spiral, among other things.

He has a girlfriend and something goes wrong and he ends up going nuts with his rifle (showing his military training as he shoots people).

At or near the end of the story the boys listen to the adults bragging after they kill the man. One of the boys says something along the lines of "We killed a b'ar!" to mock the adults.

The anthology also had Graham Greene's "The Destructors". (If that helps.)

Do any of you remember this short story? I'd love to re-read this work as an adult.

Thanks in advance.

[Orrex]

1. Oh Dammit!

I know that story but can't for the life of me remember the author or what it's called.

Thanks a whole bunch for infecting my brain.

[Ezlivin]

2. Welcome to hell

I've been thinking about that damned story for months now and I can't find any information on it.

At least I'm not completely delusional in thinking that it exists. Thanks.

;)

[Babel_17]

3. Indeed

I was curious and was banging away with "the google" for quite a while but I came away empty handed.

[Bullwinkle925]

4. Sorry - haven't read that particular story.

I know how you feel, however. I keep thinking of a book I was reading (perhaps at the 4th grade level) that I would love to get my hands on. All that I can remember is the author's description of an early 1900's market in which the main character (little girl) would go into. The descriptions of the cracker barrels, pickle barrels and jars of stick penny candy were so real. I remember going to bed and literally reading this book 'under the sheets with a flashlight'. Sadly, that is all I can recall. Isn't it amazing how mere printed words have such an impact on us?
Good luck with your search.

[raccoon]

13. Could your books be Beverly Cleary's EMILY'S RUNAWAY IMAGINATION?

takes place 1920 but your description reminds me of it.

IIRC, Emily's g-father had a store.

[Ezlivin]

5. Is there a registry of "lost stories" somewhere?

I'm sure that if we talked to our other literate friends we would hear tales of tales lost.

I'll keep an eye out for any story that contains the elements you mentioned.

[Uncle Roy]

6. Try the "BookSleuth" forum on AbeBooks.com

It's a great resource for exactly this kind of problem

Is there a special book that you read, or perhaps had read to you, at some point in your life but you can't remember the author and title? Perhaps you know the plot, or a character, or maybe even what the front cover looks like. BookSleuth® is here to help you find that book! Simply post a short description of what you can remember here on our board. Visitors from all over the world will read your post, and one of them is bound to know exactly what you're talking about and post a response. Not missing anything? Why not see if you can help anyone else find their long-lost books?

http://forums.abebooks.com/abesleuthcom

[Ezlivin]

9. Thank you!

I'll give that a shot.

I appreciate your assistance.

[LisaM]

7. I pulled out an old (gold) Norton Anthology of Short Stories last night

and tried very hard to find this story for you, but couldn't. Can you remember anything about the author (time frame, sex, race?) I don't think it's in the particular anthology I was looking in, though frankly the way it was set up was not conducive to looking for anything based on the information you gave here.

[Ezlivin]

8. It was in a gold Norton anthology

I can't remember a damned thing about the author. I hoped that someone else had read the story and could recall the title.

I can remember "The Most Dangerous Game", "The Lottery" and others but the title of this one short story that moved me has escaped my memory.

It did start with a quotation from Blake's "Tiger" and I thought the story was titled "Burning Bright", but that wasn't it. The point of view was from a young man and he described the older, black veteran with respect.

I appreciate your help in attempting to find it. It's been over 30 years since I laid eyes on it and it's like an archaeological dig in my own mind now!

[sorechasm]

10. Are you referring to a Thomas Wolfe Short Story?

...I believe the title is "The Child by Tiger"
I also remember it from English Lit several decades ago...narrated by a youngster playing football. Great empathy for a tragic figure shaped by tragic circumstances in a "Mockingbird" kind of way.

[mitchum]

11. That's it

I've read all of Wolfe's work, but "The Child by Tiger" is the only piece I really enjoy. A wonderful story.

[Ezlivin]

12. A much belated thank you.

:toast: