[Music] hello Kim dodsworth Queensland storyteller Kate Chopin yes that's her name Chopin lived in the United States from 1851 to 1904 she wrote extensively and well about her home state louisiana but she suffered social ostracism for a novel dealing with adultery a taboo topic in those days especially for a woman to write him today's story the storm is in a similar vein and it didn't see print until 1969 sixty-five years after her death it's from the Oxford book of American short stories published in 1994 [Music] the leaves were so still that even bebe thought it was going to rain Bava know who was accustomed to converse on terms of perfect equality with his little son called the child's attention to certain somber clouds that were rolling with sinister intention from the West accompanied by a sullen threatening roar they were at Frieden Houmas store and decided to remain there till the storm had passed they set within the door on to empty kegs Bibi was four years old and looked very wise Muammar will be fraid yes he suggested with blinking eyes fuel shut the house maybe she got Sylvie helper no this evening Bhavana responded reassuringly no she ain't got Sylvie Sylvie was helping her yesterday piped Bibi bother no her rose and going across to the counter purchased a can of shrimps of which Calixto was very fond then he returned to his perch on the keg and sat stolidly holding the can of shrimps while the storm burst it shook the wooden store and seemed to be ripping great furrows in the distant field Bibi laid his little hand on his father's knee and was not afraid Calixto at home felt no uneasiness for their safety she sat at a side window sewing furiously on a sewing machine she was greatly occupied and did not notice the approaching storm but she felt very warm and often stopped a mop her face on which the perspiration gathered in beads she unfastened her white sack at the throat it began to grow dark and suddenly realising the situation she got up hurriedly and went about closing windows and doors out on the small front gallery she had hon bhava nose sunday closed to air and she hastened out to gather them before the rain fell as she stepped outside else a lavalliere rode in at the gate she had not seen him very often since her marriage and her alone she stood there with Bava nose coat in her hands and the big raindrops begin to fall l say Rudy's horse under the shelter of a side projection where the chickens at huddled and there were ploughs and a Harrow piled up in the corner Mia come and wait on your gallery till the storm is over kulluk stir he asked come along in this you L see L say flung himself into a rocker and Callisto nervously began to gather up from the floor the lengths of a cotton sheet which she had been sewing if this keeps up jurors say if the levee is going to stand it she exclaimed what have you got to do with the levees I got enough to do and there's Baba know with Bibi out in that storm if he only didn't let fried Imus let's hope Khaliq sterlet Baba knows got sense enough to come in out of a cyclone she went and stood at the window with a greatly disturbed look on her face she wiped the frame that was clouded with moisture it was stiflingly hot l say got up and joined her at the window looking over his shoulder the rain was coming down in sheets obscuring the view of far-off cabins and enveloping the distant wood and a grey mist the playing of the Lightning was incessant a bolt struck a tall Chinaberry tree at the edge of the field it filled all visible space with a blinding glare and the crash seemed to invade the very boards they stood upon Calixto put her hands to her eyes and with a cry staggered backward else's arm encircled her and for an instant he drew her close and spasmodically to him bhante she cried releasing herself from his encircling arm and retreating from the window the house will go next if I only knew where Bibi was she would not compose herself she would not be seated else a clasp his shoulders and looked into her face the contact of her warm palpitating body which he had unthinkingly drawn into his arms had aroused all the old-time infatuation and desire for her flesh calixto he said don't be friend nothing could happen the house is too low to be struck with so many tall trees standing about there aren't you going to be quiet say aren't you he pushed a hair back from her face that was warm and steaming her lips were as red and moist as pomegranate seed her white neck and a glimpse of her full firm bosom disturbed him powerfully as she glanced up at him the fear and her liquid blue eyes had given place to a drowsy gleam that unconsciously portrayed a sensuous desire he looked down into her eyes and there was nothing for him to do but to gather her lips and a kiss it reminded him of assumption do you remember in Assumption Calixto he asked in a low voice broken by passion oh she remembered for an assumption he had kissed her and kissed and kissed her until he senses what will knife fail and to save her he would resort to a desperate flight if she was not an immaculate dove in those days she was still in violet a passionate creature who's very defenselessness had made her defense against which his honor forbade him to prevail now well now her lips seemed in a manner free to be tasted as well as her round white throat and her whiter breasts they did not heed the crushing torrents and the roar of the elements made her laugh as she lay in his arms she was a revelation and that dim mysterious chamber as white as that couch she lay upon a firm elastic flesh that was knowing for the first time its birthright was like a creamy lily that the Sun invites to contribute its breath and perfume to the undying life of the world the generous abundance of her passion without guile or trickery was like a white flame which penetrated and found response in depths of his own sensuous nature that had never yet been reached when he touched her breasts they gave themselves up in quivering ecstasy inviting his lips her mouth was a fountain of delight and when he possessed her they seemed to swoon together at the very borderland of this mystery he stayed cushioned upon her breathless dazed innovated with his heart beating like a hammer upon her with one hand she clasped his head her lips slightly touching his forehead the other hand stroked with a soothing rhythm his muscular shoulders the growl of the Thunder was distant and passing away the rain beats softly upon the shingles inviting them to drowsiness and sleep but they dared not yield the rain was over and the Sun was turning the glistening green world into a palace of gems Calixto on the gallery watched else say right away he turned and smiled at her with a beaming face and she lifted her protection in the air and laughed aloud babbino and bibi trudging home stopped without at the system to make themselves presentable ma bebe what are you mom are say you're to be a shame you Orden to put on those good pants look at him and that mat on your collar how you got that mud on your collar bTW I never saw such a boy bebe was the picture of pathetic resignation Baba no was the embodiment of serious solicitude as he strove to remove from his own person and his sons the signs of their over heavy roads and through wet fields he scraped the mud off bebés bare legs and feet with a stick and carefully removed all traces from his heavy bergen's then prepared for the worst the meeting with an over scrupulous housewife they entered cautiously at the backdoor Calixto was preparing supper she had set the table and was dripping coffee of the hearth she sprang up as they came in Oh Bobby no you back my but I was uneasy well you've been during the raid and Bibi he ain't wait he ain't hurt she had classed Bibi and was kissing him effusive Li Baba knew his explanations and apologies which you've been composing all along the way died on his lips as Calixto felt him to see if he were dry and seemed to express nothing but satisfaction at their safe return abroad juice and shrimps Calixto offered Bhavana hauling the can from his ample side pocket and laying it on table shrimps Oh Bobby no you too good for anything and she gave him a smacking kiss on the cheek that resounded Fulop all we'll have a feast tonight hmm hmm Bobby no and B he began to relax and enjoy themselves and when the three seated themselves at table they laughed much and so loud that anyone might have heard them as far away as lobelias l say la Valliere wrote to his wife Clarice that night it was a loving letter full of tender solicitude he told her not to hurry back but as she and the babies liked it at Biloxi to stay a month longer he was getting on nicely and though he missed them he was willing to bear the separation a while longer realizing that their health and pleasure were the first things to be considered as for Clarice she was charmed upon receiving her husband's letter she and the babies were doing well the society was agreeable many of her old friends and acquaintances were at the bay and the first free breath since her marriage seemed to restore the pleasant liberty of her maiden days diverted issue was to a husband their intimate conjugal life was something which she was more than willing to forego for a while so the storm passed and everyone was happy and that was the storm by Kate Chopin I'm yo Rita Kim dodsworth [Music] you you