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O Cacto
Em mais um de seus contos surpreendentes, O. Henry conta a história de Trysdale, um homem que acabou que passar por um término no momento mais temido possível. Ele se pergunta o que poderia ter causado tal fim, tendo como resposta um solitário e misterioso cacto.
Este e-book faz parte do projeto Literatura Descoberta, que tem por objetivo levar ao público traduções inéditas de textos disponíveis no Domínio Público com uma linguagem mais acessível. O projeto foi idealizado por Laura Scaramussa Azevedo, bacharel em Tradução pela Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto.
Este e-book faz parte do projeto Literatura Descoberta, que tem por objetivo levar ao público traduções inéditas de textos disponíveis no Domínio Público com uma linguagem mais acessível. O projeto foi idealizado por Laura Scaramussa Azevedo, bacharel em Tradução pela Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto.
14 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 1902
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About the author
O. Henry
2,932 books1,920 followersSuch volumes as
Cabbages and Kings
(1904) and
The Four Million
(1906) collect short stories, noted for their often surprising endings, of American writer William Sydney Porter, who used the pen name O. Henry.
His biography shows where he found inspiration for his characters. His era produced their voices and his language.
Mother of three-year-old Porter died from tuberculosis. He left school at fifteen years of age and worked for five years in drugstore of his uncle and then for two years at a Texas sheep ranch.
In 1884, he went to Austin, where he worked in a real estate office and a church choir and spent four years as a draftsman in the general land office. His wife and firstborn died, but daughter Margaret survived him.
He failed to establish a small humorous weekly and afterward worked in poorly-run bank. When its accounts balanced not, people blamed and fired him.
In Houston, he worked for a few years until, ordered to stand trial for embezzlement, he fled to New Orleans and thence Honduras.
Two years later, he returned on account of illness of his wife. Apprehended, Porter served a few months more than three years in a penitentiary in Columbus, Ohio. During his incarceration, he composed ten short stories, including A Blackjack Bargainer , The Enchanted Kiss , and The Duplicity of Hargraves .
In 1899, McClure's published Whistling Dick's Christmas Story and Georgia's Ruling .
In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he sent manuscripts to New York editors. In the spring of 1902, Ainslee's Magazine offered him a regular income if he moved to New York.
In less than eight years, he became a bestselling author of collections of short stories. Cabbages and Kings came first in 1904 The Four Million, and The Trimmed Lamp and Heart of the West followed in 1907, and The Voice of the City in 1908, Roads of Destiny and Options in 1909, Strictly Business and Whirligigs in 1910 followed.
Posthumously published collections include The Gentle Grafter about the swindler, Jeff Peters; Rolling Stones , Waifs and Strays , and in 1936, unsigned stories, followed.
People rewarded other persons financially more. A Retrieved Reformation about the safe-cracker Jimmy Valentine got $250; six years later, $500 for dramatic rights, which gave over $100,000 royalties for playwright Paul Armstrong. Many stories have been made into films.
His biography shows where he found inspiration for his characters. His era produced their voices and his language.
Mother of three-year-old Porter died from tuberculosis. He left school at fifteen years of age and worked for five years in drugstore of his uncle and then for two years at a Texas sheep ranch.
In 1884, he went to Austin, where he worked in a real estate office and a church choir and spent four years as a draftsman in the general land office. His wife and firstborn died, but daughter Margaret survived him.
He failed to establish a small humorous weekly and afterward worked in poorly-run bank. When its accounts balanced not, people blamed and fired him.
In Houston, he worked for a few years until, ordered to stand trial for embezzlement, he fled to New Orleans and thence Honduras.
Two years later, he returned on account of illness of his wife. Apprehended, Porter served a few months more than three years in a penitentiary in Columbus, Ohio. During his incarceration, he composed ten short stories, including A Blackjack Bargainer , The Enchanted Kiss , and The Duplicity of Hargraves .
In 1899, McClure's published Whistling Dick's Christmas Story and Georgia's Ruling .
In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he sent manuscripts to New York editors. In the spring of 1902, Ainslee's Magazine offered him a regular income if he moved to New York.
In less than eight years, he became a bestselling author of collections of short stories. Cabbages and Kings came first in 1904 The Four Million, and The Trimmed Lamp and Heart of the West followed in 1907, and The Voice of the City in 1908, Roads of Destiny and Options in 1909, Strictly Business and Whirligigs in 1910 followed.
Posthumously published collections include The Gentle Grafter about the swindler, Jeff Peters; Rolling Stones , Waifs and Strays , and in 1936, unsigned stories, followed.
People rewarded other persons financially more. A Retrieved Reformation about the safe-cracker Jimmy Valentine got $250; six years later, $500 for dramatic rights, which gave over $100,000 royalties for playwright Paul Armstrong. Many stories have been made into films.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
December 14, 2015
I've arranged my thoughts on this story (another one that O. Henry knocked out of the park) in a haiku:
"Whole lives can be shaped
By lies of omission, that--
Stroke pride for a day."
"Whole lives can be shaped
By lies of omission, that--
Stroke pride for a day."
March 18, 2023
Good short story, that ending!
May 11, 2016
I read this one here: http://americanliterature.com/author/...
I am starting to like this web site and it's Short Story of the Day.
I found The Cactus to be a quite short and subtle jab of a story. The 'protagonist' was jabbed on the barb of his own passive pride.
The only other O. Henry story I am aware of experiencing is The Gift of the Magi that I have seen filmed as a television show once when younger. I rank that tale with this in it's efficiency and subtlety.
I am starting to like this web site and it's Short Story of the Day.
I found The Cactus to be a quite short and subtle jab of a story. The 'protagonist' was jabbed on the barb of his own passive pride.
The only other O. Henry story I am aware of experiencing is The Gift of the Magi that I have seen filmed as a television show once when younger. I rank that tale with this in it's efficiency and subtlety.
May 14, 2023
A tidy short story.
May 20, 2015
I loved the irony of this story. I'm not going to spoil the story but I love how the author tried to picture out the dilemma of the people in this story. Yes, this is romance but not that kind of romance that full of action-pack-words-swooning-legs-crumbling-emotions-bursting but nevertheless this is "romance" and I loved the simplicity and the narrative it delivers. It tackles about male egoism/pride and female romanticism. And I just like the fact that it was not tragic but very very VERY twisted end to finish a story. As a reader I'm content on how it tried to captured my attention but as being me, I would love more. I would like to know if he wins the girl :">
December 12, 2015
What a beautiful courtship!
July 6, 2016
What an ending! O. Henry is absolutely famous for his last-minute twists, which never fail to surprise.
And check out this gem of a quote :
"She had invested him with an almost supernatural number of high attributes and excellencies and talents, and he had absorbed the oblation as a desert drinks the rain that can coax from it no promise of blossom or fruit."
And check out this gem of a quote :
"She had invested him with an almost supernatural number of high attributes and excellencies and talents, and he had absorbed the oblation as a desert drinks the rain that can coax from it no promise of blossom or fruit."
October 2, 2016
The most notable thing about Time is that it is so purely relative. A large amount of reminiscence is, by common consent, conceded to the drowning man; and it is not past belief that one may review an entire courtship while removing one's gloves.
February 23, 2020
A short story, about a man just returned from a wedding - he's seen the woman he loves marry another man. Classic O Henry, with a brilliant twist at the end as Trysdale, wondering bitterly over the callousness of his old sweetheart, learns a phrase in Spanish.
December 31, 2013
This was a very simple story with a conclusion that will pull at your heart strings. The lesson of the story: never lie.
October 17, 2014
A suitor named Trysdale receives a cactus from his beloved in answer to his marriage proposal. He thinks she means, No!. Alas, he should have looked more closely.
February 12, 2015
Henry, you never let me down.
This was yet another lovely short story.
This was yet another lovely short story.
May 6, 2017
The most notable thing about Time is that it is so purely relative.
☆☆☆3 Stars☆☆☆
April 18, 2017
The most notable thing about Time is that it is so purely relative. A large amount of reminiscence is, by common consent, conceded to the drowning man; and it is not past belief that one may review an entire courtship while removing one's gloves.
I was thinking that this story will not end well but I am glad that it had a happy ending. Love how the writer showed the ending with a twist.. It was a good surprise both for the protagonist and for us readers.. (Y)
I will not disclose the ending but will only say that men has to keep their pride & egos aside & try to think about the situation with a present mind. Try to resolve whatever the problem is, rather than just rejecting it plainly, because then it will not be good for both himself and the other person :/
Here is the story https://americanliterature.com/author...
I was thinking that this story will not end well but I am glad that it had a happy ending. Love how the writer showed the ending with a twist.. It was a good surprise both for the protagonist and for us readers.. (Y)
I will not disclose the ending but will only say that men has to keep their pride & egos aside & try to think about the situation with a present mind. Try to resolve whatever the problem is, rather than just rejecting it plainly, because then it will not be good for both himself and the other person :/
Here is the story https://americanliterature.com/author...
December 1, 2020
Not gonna lie, the beginning of The Cactus was a little confusing to me, and I had no idea what the story was going on about. Once I started to understand the plot, it became an average short story to me. There was nothing there to draw me into the story or make me feel for/relate to the characters. The ending was very bland and, although it is short, it felt like a waste of time reading it. This is my third O. Henry story, and it is definitely my least favorite one. I'm giving it a 1-star rating.
March 13, 2022
I got this printed free at the eurostar departure lounge. Why cant english trainstations have nice things like free short story printers!
The story was nicely written also
The story was nicely written also
March 5, 2023
A lovely little short story, the writing style flows seamlessly and was absolutely delightful to read. Not much is to be said, other than it was a wonderful tale, albeit not a perfect one. Certainly, though, it is rather impactful for its length. I deeply enjoyed reading this short.
May 20, 2020
Wonderful story as far as I'am concerned.
Concisely written, but very well thought and structured.
Three things that have engaged me tightly in going on and on with reading it and liking the story overall:
1) clear, overall idea - relativity, which is stressed out three times(important ones) during the story, 2) the problem posed at the end of the story - lack of communication and misunderstanding, 3) relevant context for the problem mentioned above, 4) ending itself.
First of all I was captivated right from the first sentence where it's said that time is relative, that sentence already set me for expecting something thoughtful, the idea of "relativity" comes next as a form of relativity in knowledge and ones feelings when it is described what she(main character's lover) feels and thinks about him(Trysdale - main character) and what he thinks of himself, this duality is quite often met in our daily life, that's why I think extremely well thought to be one aspect of relativity to be emphasized upon, and lastly the interpretation of the cactus, which embodies at the same time the ending of the story is quite exciting and fascinating to me, because I, as a reader, would have thought just as Trysdale, I mean it is so embedded in our interpretation that cactus symbolizes something dull and full of vices that it was unimaginable to foresee what she meant. And this bitter sweet tragedy seems fabulous to me. Also the problem of misunderstanding, lack of communication, and pride are important aspects the story resides on, again, because it is manifested so often in our experience, it adds credibility and yet another opportunity to connect with the story.
True genius and beauty resides in something, someone that does what it is meant to do in the simplest and most efficient way - I find this story extremely well put together, there is a lot to it and at the same time it so concise.
Great story!
Recommended!
Done.
Concisely written, but very well thought and structured.
Three things that have engaged me tightly in going on and on with reading it and liking the story overall:
1) clear, overall idea - relativity, which is stressed out three times(important ones) during the story, 2) the problem posed at the end of the story - lack of communication and misunderstanding, 3) relevant context for the problem mentioned above, 4) ending itself.
First of all I was captivated right from the first sentence where it's said that time is relative, that sentence already set me for expecting something thoughtful, the idea of "relativity" comes next as a form of relativity in knowledge and ones feelings when it is described what she(main character's lover) feels and thinks about him(Trysdale - main character) and what he thinks of himself, this duality is quite often met in our daily life, that's why I think extremely well thought to be one aspect of relativity to be emphasized upon, and lastly the interpretation of the cactus, which embodies at the same time the ending of the story is quite exciting and fascinating to me, because I, as a reader, would have thought just as Trysdale, I mean it is so embedded in our interpretation that cactus symbolizes something dull and full of vices that it was unimaginable to foresee what she meant. And this bitter sweet tragedy seems fabulous to me. Also the problem of misunderstanding, lack of communication, and pride are important aspects the story resides on, again, because it is manifested so often in our experience, it adds credibility and yet another opportunity to connect with the story.
True genius and beauty resides in something, someone that does what it is meant to do in the simplest and most efficient way - I find this story extremely well put together, there is a lot to it and at the same time it so concise.
Great story!
Recommended!
Done.
May 11, 2016
Cactus; a short story written by “O. Henri”
Cactus is a few minutes’ story of a man who is discovering and trying himself inwardly, accompanied by a surprise ending which is an attribute of O. Henry’s stories. Narrator is daring the conceit, vanity and egoism of protagonist by this inward trial which refused him to reach out to her beloved girl. Supposedly, “Cactus” is a love story, but from different standpoint. Conceit, vanity and egoism cause him to lose what he possesses and unable him to interpret the “yes” as an indirect answer.
“O. Henri” plays with conceptions, words and their vivid and hidden meanings very artistically to tell a short story in which all of its components are fusing finely and deftly to transfer a concept to the reader. The story is full of signs to make the reader to absorb unconsciously what writer is clearly intended to tell him or her in the depth of different metaphors.
Although, from felicity and method point of view “Cactus” is an intense story, in my opinion it is a love story; in which if one of two does not possess that drawn ideal completely or partly, all the story will be like a thorn for another one. This is the characteristic of love adventures.
Finally, the point which attracted me the most was this fact that protagonist did not confess on the truth which had been stated inversely (knowing Spanish language completely and fluently) and indeed he did not lie but also did not tell the truth and that’s why he provided himself an admirable condition. But exactly this condition caused him to lose what he was looking for; his beloved girl. Although this subject was expressed symbolically, it contains theme of reality and truth; the condition which often is damned based on the principle of utilitarianism of John Stuart Mill.
Cactus is a few minutes’ story of a man who is discovering and trying himself inwardly, accompanied by a surprise ending which is an attribute of O. Henry’s stories. Narrator is daring the conceit, vanity and egoism of protagonist by this inward trial which refused him to reach out to her beloved girl. Supposedly, “Cactus” is a love story, but from different standpoint. Conceit, vanity and egoism cause him to lose what he possesses and unable him to interpret the “yes” as an indirect answer.
“O. Henri” plays with conceptions, words and their vivid and hidden meanings very artistically to tell a short story in which all of its components are fusing finely and deftly to transfer a concept to the reader. The story is full of signs to make the reader to absorb unconsciously what writer is clearly intended to tell him or her in the depth of different metaphors.
Although, from felicity and method point of view “Cactus” is an intense story, in my opinion it is a love story; in which if one of two does not possess that drawn ideal completely or partly, all the story will be like a thorn for another one. This is the characteristic of love adventures.
Finally, the point which attracted me the most was this fact that protagonist did not confess on the truth which had been stated inversely (knowing Spanish language completely and fluently) and indeed he did not lie but also did not tell the truth and that’s why he provided himself an admirable condition. But exactly this condition caused him to lose what he was looking for; his beloved girl. Although this subject was expressed symbolically, it contains theme of reality and truth; the condition which often is damned based on the principle of utilitarianism of John Stuart Mill.
December 12, 2019
I can't say I felt the writing style of this one grabbed me, though it is the first of O. Henry that I have read. The moral of the story is nice and while the probability of a surprise ending was always obvious, the exact twist was subtle and well done. In today's society, I believe the moral message is one that many could stand to consider.
December 31, 2014
Highly recommend. Only takes 3 minutes to read.
November 28, 2016
oh dear
ven tomarme ..
las mentiras a veces matan el amor.
ven tomarme ..
las mentiras a veces matan el amor.
June 30, 2019
Ha, I didn't see that ending coming, classic O. Henry!
July 22, 2017
I love the moral of the story which is quite skilfully disguised in its twist.
January 16, 2018
What an imaginative masterpiece indeed!
August 20, 2018
What an ending!!
December 4, 2018
The Cactus. A short look at a man's hubris that faltered his chances with intimacy. Great short read!
September 30, 2023
I’ve read a couple of O.Henry’s other short stories and quite liked them. I thought this was maybe the weakest of those I’ve read. A man returns from attending the wedding of a woman he once thought he would marry himself. Feeling depressed, he ponders the break-up of their relationship. Judging from the previous stories I’ve read from this author, he likes to put in a “twist” at the end. It’s the same here, but in this case I saw it coming well before it was reached.
The story is, I would say, a warning about the dangers of vanity, and its message is quite artfully delivered.
The story is available online and is less than a 5-minute read.
The story is, I would say, a warning about the dangers of vanity, and its message is quite artfully delivered.
The story is available online and is less than a 5-minute read.
February 18, 2021
It has come to my attention that, like Trysdale, the object of my desire eludes me. In this case, that is the significance behind this newfound (to me) genre, the short story. To be forced to turn to analyses of the works I read is as humbling as Trysdale's too-late realization.
As a side note, I believe myself now assured that my talent for devouring the written word applies only to the dark and twisted.
As a side note, I believe myself now assured that my talent for devouring the written word applies only to the dark and twisted.
June 11, 2020
This O. Henry short story has the tried and successful surprise ending that is expected from his stories. Expectedly surprising-Oxymoron. The English teacher in me loves that I can use oxymoron. The English teacher in me hates that I used a word "expectedly" that is not a word. (Grimace inserted here.)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews