The Friendly Call by O. Henry (1914)
A young woman's life is turned upside down when she receives a mysterious phone call from an unknown man who claims to be her long-lost brother, supposedly killed in the war. The story explores themes of identity, family, and the power of storytelling.
By O. Henry · First published 1914 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Drama, Humor · 4,868 words
First lines
When I used to sell hardware in the West, I often "made" a little town called Saltillo, in Colorado. I was always certain of securing a small or a large order from Simon Bell, who kept a general store there. Bell was one of those six-foot, low-voiced products, formed from a union of the West and the South. I liked him. To look at him you would think he should be robbing stage coaches or juggling gold mines with both hands; but he would sell you a paper of tacks or a spool of thread, with ten times more patience and courtesy than any saleslady in a city department store.
What this Textopian page supports
The Friendly Call is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1914 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: O. Henry
- Date: 1914 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Drama, Humor, Western, Romance
- Length: 4,868 words
- Structure: 1 section, 92 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Friendly Call by O. Henry
- 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
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Friendly Call?
- How does this short story by O. Henry fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- An Afternoon Miracle by O. Henry
- Friends In San Rosario by O. Henry
- A Narrow Escape by O. Henry
- A Call Loan by O. Henry
- A Slight Mistake by O. Henry
- Somebody Lied by O. Henry
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of friendship, loyalty, and the nuances of human relationships, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Drama — The narrative contains significant emotional conflict and character development, typical of dramatic storytelling.
- Humor — The writing style includes wit and irony, particularly in the portrayal of characters and their interactions.
- Western — The setting and character backgrounds reflect elements of the American West, aligning with the Western genre.
Tags
Short Story · American Literature · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Irony · Plot Twist · Moral Lesson · Friendship · Deception · Consequences · Regret