The Lottery
Summary:
"The Lottery" is a short story written by Shirley Jackson. It tells the story of a small town that holds an annual lottery where the winner is stoned to death. The townspeople seem to go along with the tradition without questioning its origins or purpose. The story follows one particular lottery day where a woman named Tessie Hutchinson is chosen as the winner. As the townspeople gather around to stone her, Tessie protests the unfairness of the lottery. The story ends with the chilling realization that this brutal tradition will continue in the town."