Damned Thing

Best known as a master of searing satire, American author Ambrose Bierce was also an accomplished short story writer. The engrossing tale &quote;The Damned Thing&quote; presents as its central theme the ultimately unknowable -- and untameable -- essence of nature and the natural world. Told from several different perspectives, the story focuses on a freak fatal accident that is written off as a wild animal attack. But does that description get at the truth of the matter? At least one witness is convinced otherwise. Read &quote;The Damned Thing&quote; to try your own hand at solving the case.