Clair de Lune

Abbé Marignan is a stern priest who dislikes the moon and thinks it a bad influence on young people. He is angry with his niece Marguerite, who is at an age where moonlight makes girls dreamy. One night the Abbé sees her slip out of the house in the moonlight. He follows to put a stop to it. Guy de Maupassant's short story is told with humor and warmth, and it is a gentle answer to the strict mind of the priest. Etombè Edembe reads it in fifteen minutes. For listeners who like short French stories with a light touch. Guy de Maupassant first published "Clair de Lune" in 1882, and it became the title story of his 1884 collection. He is best known for sharp, ironic endings, but this story is one of his gentlest. The Abbé believes God made everything for a reason, and he cannot work out the reason for moonlight. What he sees that night changes his mind, quietly. The story shares its name with Debussy's famous piano piece, and it has the same mood: still, silver and a little wistful. It is a good choice for a short evening listen, or an easy way into Maupassant before Two Friends or The Horla.