When we Must not Believe our Eyes
The story follows a man who discovers a hidden treasure and decides to keep it for himself. However, when he returns to the spot where he found it, he realizes that someone else has already taken it. The story explores themes of greed, deception, and the consequences of one's actions.
By Frank R. Stockton · First published 1895 · Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Horror · 1,475 words
First lines
There are a great number of marvellous things told us of phantom forms and ghostly apparitions -- of spectres that flit about lonely roads on moonlight nights, or haunt peaceful people in their own homes; of funeral processions, with long trains of mourners, watched from a distance, but which, on nearer approach, melt into a line of mist; of wild witch-dances in deserted houses, and balls of fire bounding out of doors and windows -- stories which cause the flesh of children to creep upon their bones, and make cowards of them where there is no reason for fear. For you may lay it down as a fact, established beyond dispute, that not one of these things is a _reality_. The person who tells these marvels has always what seems the best of reasons for his belief. He either saw these things himself or knew somebody, strictly truthful, who had seen them. He did not know, what I am going to prove to you, that a thing may be _true_ and yet not be _real_.
What this Textopian page supports
When we Must not Believe our Eyes is listed on Textopian as a short story by Frank R. Stockton, dated 1895 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Frank R. Stockton
- Date: 1895 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Horror, Adventure, Mystery
- Length: 1,475 words
- Structure: 1 section, 12 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for When we Must not Believe our Eyes by Frank R. Stockton
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Similar titles
- The Figure In The Mirage by Robert Hichens
- Think Yourself To Death by Stephen Marlowe
- False Prophets by Charles Kingsley
- In A Well by Frank R. Stockton
- The Croquet Player by H. G. Wells
- A Physiologists Wife by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Genres
- Fantasy — The book deals with supernatural phenomena and ghostly apparitions, which are central to the fantasy genre.
- Science Fiction — The explanations of natural causes behind seemingly supernatural events align with the scientific exploration typical of science fiction.
- Horror — The descriptions of ghostly apparitions and phantom forms evoke fear and suspense, elements common in horror.
- Adventure — The narrative includes sailors and soldiers encountering mysterious phenomena during their journeys, fitting the adventure genre.
Tags
perception · reality · deception · illusion · truth · narrative · suspense · mystery · human nature · psychology · critical thinking · interpretation