"Diana" by Mary Anne Mohanraj

"Diana" by Mary Anne Mohanraj (moh2@midway.uchicago.edu). The young man, just a few years out of college and a bit disillusioned with the way his life has gone, has gone off for a couple of days of hiking in the Berkshire forest. Thinking he is alone, he is surprised to hear the sound of a woman's voice; and when he follows that sound he comes to a clearing in which there are seven blonde women and one red-head - all beautiful and all naked. What has he stumbled onto? He realizes that he won't be welcome, and he starts to retreat; but suddenly he is summoned to join them. Does this sound interesting? Then read this well-written story. If you're familiar with Robert Frost's poetry, you'll probably get a little more out of it than you would otherwise. And it won't hurt to recall that Diana was the Roman goddess of the hunt and of the moon and the protectress or women.

I love this author! I'm tempted to make my students read this story for English class, but then I'd have to explain where I got it. Actually, it will be easier simply to forbid them to read it; they'll enjoy it more that way.