Robert B. Gregg

One of the first works of science fiction in literature, this story by Poe is magnificent in detail. Inspired by a real natural phenomenon, The Maelstrom is couched as a story within a story, a tale told at the summit of a mountain climb and a tavern in Norway. The story is told by an old man who reveals that he only appears old-"You suppose me a very old man," he says, "but I am not. It took less than a single day to change these hairs from a jetty black to white, to weaken my limbs, and to unstring my nerves." The narrator, convinced by the power of the whirlpools he sees in the ocean beyond, is then told of the "old" man's fishing trip with his two brothers a few years ago. Driven by "the most terrible hurricane that ever came out of the heavens," their ship was caught in the vortex. One brother was pulled into the waves; the other was driven mad by the spectacle's horror and drowned as the ship was pulled under. At first, the narrator only saw hideous terror in the spectacle. In a moment of revelation, he saw that the Maelström was beautiful and awesome.

An intelligent approach to life by a great teacher.