The Stranger
Mr. John Harris was a well-known businessman in his small town, respected for his calm demeanor and successful career. He had been away on a long business trip and was eagerly anticipated by his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Harris, who stood waiting at the train station. As the train arrived, she watched the passengers disembark, her heart pounding with excitement.
When John finally stepped off the train, Elizabeth rushed to greet him, but she was taken aback. John was not alone. He was accompanied by a woman, elegant and poised, who seemed to be more than just a fellow traveler. Elizabeth's smile faltered as she watched them approach.
"Elizabeth, this is Miss Smith," John introduced, seemingly oblivious to his wife's surprise. "She was a great help to me during the trip."
Elizabeth forced a polite smile and shook hands with Miss Smith. As they walked to the car, Elizabeth couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling in her chest. Who was this woman, and why did she seem so close to her husband?
During the drive home, John and Miss Smith talked animatedly about the trip, the places they had visited, and the people they had met. Elizabeth felt like an outsider in her own car. She tried to join the conversation, but her attempts were met with brief, polite responses.
Back home, Elizabeth prepared tea for their guest. She watched as John and Miss Smith continued their lively discussion, feeling a mix of confusion and jealousy. After some time, Miss Smith excused herself, explaining she had to catch another train. John offered to drive her back to the station, and Elizabeth, feeling relieved yet suspicious, stayed behind.
When John returned, Elizabeth couldn’t hold back her curiosity any longer. "Who is Miss Smith, really?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
John looked surprised at her question. "She’s just a colleague I met on the trip. We worked on a few projects together. Why do you ask?"
Elizabeth hesitated, then said, "She seemed very familiar with you. It felt...strange."
John sighed and took her hand. "Elizabeth, you have nothing to worry about. She’s just a professional acquaintance. You know I only have eyes for you."
Elizabeth wanted to believe him, but the unease lingered. Over the next few days, she observed John closely, looking for any signs of unusual behavior. To her relief, John seemed just as he always was—attentive, loving, and dedicated to his work and their life together.
Eventually, Elizabeth’s worries faded. She realized that her jealousy had been unfounded and that John’s devotion to her had never wavered. She learned an important lesson about trust and the dangers of letting insecurity cloud her judgment.
Moral : Trust and communication are essential in relationships. Jumping to conclusions without understanding the full context can lead to unnecessary misunderstandings.
Original Story : For the original story by Katherine Mansfield, you can read
"The Stranger" [here]
or
[here]
