Identity Stories
Self-discovery, cultural identity, belonging, and personal authenticity
Stories in this category (11)
A Madman's Diary
By Lu Xun
Through the perspective of a "madman," this story reveals the man-eating nature of feudal ethics. Presented in diary format, the protagonist, in his paranoid delusions, perceives that everyone around him wants to eat him, ultimately discovering that thousands of years of Chinese history is a history of "cannibalism."
A Maverick Pig
By Wang Xiaobo
Through the story of a pig that refuses to be penned and pursues freedom, this tale metaphorically explores how individuals maintain independent thinking and a free spirit in society.
The Mirror Room
By Eleanor Blackwood
A young woman inherits an old mansion and discovers a locked room filled with mirrors that show more than just reflections.
The Substitute
By Eleanor Blackwood
A substitute teacher arrives at a high school and slowly replaces more than just the regular teacher.
The Secret Messenger
By Priya Sharma
A twelve-year-old coding enthusiast receives a mysterious encrypted message leading her to help save a historic library and preserve endangered cultural stories.
The Algorithm of Me
By Jordan Kim
A fourteen-year-old discovers the dangers of living according to optimization algorithms, learning that authenticity matters more than artificial perfection.
The Weight of Water
By Amara Okafor
A Nigerian-British-American teen struggles with diaspora identity and others' expectations before learning to choose which cultural "water" is hers to carry.
The Gig Economy of Dreams
By Carlos Mendoza
A millennial artist juggling seven jobs discovers that the gig economy's isolation is intentional, and begins building cooperative alternatives with fellow precarious workers.
Letters to My Daughter
By Emma Harrison
A mother writes a series of letters to her adopted daughter, explaining the circumstances of her adoption and the profound love that brought them together. Through these letters, both mother and daughter discover that family is defined not by blood, but by choice, commitment, and unconditional love.
The Photograph
By David Thompson
While cleaning out her late father's attic, Rebecca discovers a photograph that reveals a family secret: she has a half-sister she never knew existed. Her journey to find this sister leads to unexpected discoveries about her father's past and forces her to redefine what family means.