The Battle of the Bells by Jerome Bixby
"The Battle of the Bells" by Jerome Bixby is a short story published in the mid-20th century, specifically in 1954. This humorous tale explores the themes of practical jokes and moral introspection against the backdrop of a small town in western Pennsylvania. It contrasts the innocence of small-town life with the complexities of human nature and the divine. The story centers on Charley Mason, a town resident known for his practical jokesaimed at unsuspecting travelers who stop at his outhouse. Charley’s antics take an unexpected turn when a fat woman from the city becomes his latest victim, launching into a tirade about morality and sin, which catches the attention of heavenly and hellish beings. A young man representing good and a dark figure representing evil engage in a cosmic struggle initiated by Charley's prank, debating the nature of good and evil and the impact of such seemingly innocent jokes on the human soul. Ultimately, the story culminates in a humorous and unexpected resolution that emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and the inner battle against temptation, leaving readers to ponder the fine line between humor and insensitivity. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | Bixby, Jerome, 1923-1998 |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Terry, W. E., 1921-1992 |
| Title | The Battle of the Bells |
| Note | Reading ease score: 83.4 (6th grade). Easy to read. |
| Credits | Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature |
| Subject | Short stories |
| Subject | Practical jokes -- Fiction |
| Subject | Pennsylvania -- Fiction |
| Subject | Devil -- Fiction |
| Subject | Angels -- Fiction |
| Category | Text |
| EBook-No. | 66393 |
| Release Date | Sep 27, 2021 |
| Copyright Status | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 99 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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