These stories explore the trials of life from youth to old age: the idealism of young people, the stresses of marriage, the anxieties of parenthood, and the loneliness and fears of older people. The wide variety of writing styles includes black humour, satire, and compassionate and realistic observation of the follies and foibles of humankind.
- Tea : Saki
- Mr Loveday' s little outing : Evelyn Waugh
- The colonel' s lady : Somerset Maugham
- Mrs Bixby and the colonel' s coat : Roald Dahl
- They gave her a rise : Frank Sargeson
- The bath : Raymond Carver
- Same time, same place : H.E. Bates
- A bit of singing and dancing : Susan Hill