Welcome back everyone to 1001 classic short stories and tales.

This is your host, John Haggardorn.

Today, a story called The Fortune Teller by Brazilian

writer, Machado de Assis. De Assis was a short story writer, poet, and novelist, considered the most

influential writer of Brazilian literary schools of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The theme of many of his stories centers around jealousy and

its intrigue. Though he did not gain popularity outside Brazil during his lifetime, the most

prestigious literary award in Brazil was named in his honor, influencing authors such as Carlos

Fuentes, Susan Sontag, and Thomas McGuane.

His first job was as a proofreader for the newspaper Correo Mercantile,

after which he worked for several other papers with mentor editors who encouraged him to write.

And write he did.

His first novel was called Memoirs of Bras Kubus,

known by its translated title as epitaph of a small winner, which was published posthumously, and widely considered today a masterpiece.

His greatest influences from English literature included Lord Byron, Jonathan Swift, and most

significantly William Shakespeare, whose works he translated and referenced in many of his own works.

And now our story, The Fortune Teller.

Hamlet observes to Horatio that there are more things in heaven and earth

than are dreamt of in our philosophy.

This was the self-same explanation that was given by beautiful Rita to her lover Camillo

on a certain Friday of November, 1869, when Camille laughed at her for having gone

the previous evening to consult a fortune teller. The only difference is that she made her explanation in other words.

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