We laced in a cypress grove at the edge of the swamp right where the woods got eerie.

Frogs billowed down in the dark wit where the swamp peep lurked.

When darkness came on along with the glitter of bugs and stars, I taught Alex frog language.

The tweeter of wood frogs, the bark of tree frogs, the don't, don't, of green frogs.

This week on selected shorts, city boy, country girl.

I'm Tariah Jones and you're listening to selected shorts, the program that brings you

great short fiction read live on stage at Symphony Space in New York City.

Adolescence is a strange time.

As we grow up, we yearn for the possibilities and privilege offered by adulthood.

But the tradeoff is that we must surrender some of the freedom and passion that makes

childhood a magical time.

On this program, we'll hear two stories of young people who are about to leave childhood

behind.

And in each, something is gained, but something is also lost or changed.

The first kiss comes from author Clarice Lyspector, long revered in Brazil.

Lyspector saw her fan base expand after new English translations of her work began appearing

in America in 2011.

This sensuous right of passage story features Lyspector's fantastical worldview, her daring

syntax, and her intimate understanding of character.

This is Pepe Nufrio, performing Clarice Lyspector's The First Kiss.

The two murmured more than talked.

They had just started dating and were giddy.

...