I gasped aloud at the “reveal” the first time I read this story. The image of it is seared into my brain for life.
“Beyond the Pale” is certainly not a children’s tale. Forget the Jungle Book or the Just So Stories.
You’ll also have to leave behind, or set aside any modern-day sensitivity regarding views on race, the treatment of women, cultural differences, etc. Keep in mind that the story is told from the viewpoint of a British, Victorian era, white male. The setting is India in a whole different time period. Ignore the admonition to not mix race and culture. The story is a fictional tale on the perils of “going native.”
If you’re unable to brush all of this aside, at least temporarily, then you’ll never survive to experience the reveal. Trust me, the first part of the story is mild by comparison. Just keep in mind that it is a very short story. And it is a tale of fiction (My God, hopefully!).
This story is one of my top three stories to read. I’ll list them here with a word to describe each of them. How I’ve got them listed doesn’t mean any one is better than the others.
1) “Three O’Clock,” by Cornell Woolrich. Suspense! Suspense! Suspense!
2) “The Straw Witch,” by John D. MacDonald. Ingenious.
3) “Beyond the Pale,” by Rudyard Kipling. Shock!
I’ve mentioned these stories before, in other posts, and also on my Amazon author page. I decided to write this post about “Beyond the Pale” now, simply because while I was surfing Amazon yesterday the book Plain Tales from the Hills (which is the book this story is in) was offered up as FREE on Amazon. I decided to share this fact so you can download the book and experience the story. All I can say is be prepared. I can honestly say that “Beyond the Pale” is the only story I’ve ever gasped aloud upon reading the reveal the first time. A true shocker. I do hate having to warn you. The shock is undoubtedly more intense if you are just reading along casually, as I was, not expecting anything. In any case, enjoy the read.
If the link doesn’t show for some reason, just go to Amazon and type Plain Tales from the Hills into the search box, followed by the word FREE. Other copies will pop up, including one for .99. Just look for the one that’s free: 0.00.
Here is the link: