“Short Stack’s Crossing” is a story about a young girl meeting with her grandfather en route to a unnamed destination that houses a number of the young girl’s extended family members. Early in the story, the grandfather emphasizes the importance of the journey over the destination. This sentiment is actualized in the telling of the story, as it ends when they reach their destination. Much of the story moves through the dialogue between the granddaughter and the grandfather. Some of the thing the granddaughter says aren’t characteristic of a girl her age, but then again, the grandfather states repeatedly how unusually intelligent she is.
As the story unfolds, it is implied that the young girl has died and that she is now in heaven, reuniting with dead family members. This notion raises some questions which, unfortunately, must go unanswered, but are still worth considering. Does the fact that this girl is so articulate and intelligent despite her age convey a sense of wisdom that is bestowed when one dies in this world? Was this girl in anyway this intelligent in her mortal life? The warm, welcoming light at the end supports this, but it is not completely evident either way. I think the story could benefit from more clarity on this subject.
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