7.

 “Paper Menagerie” by Ken Liu

Jack’s mother can make paper animals come to life. In the beginning, Jack
loves them and spends hours with his mom. But as soon as he grows up
he stops talking to her since she is unable to converse (speak) in English.
When his mother tries to talk to him through her creations, he kills them
and collects them in a box. After a tragic loss, he finally gets to know her
story through a hidden message which he should have read a long time
ago.
What Is Great About It: The story is a simple narration that touches on
complex issues. It is about leaving your own country with the promise of a
better life.
It is also about the conflicts that can occur between families when different
cultures and languages collide. In this case, the tension is so high that it
destroys the relationship between a mother and her son. It also has a
moving message about never taking your loved ones for granted.
8. “The Missing Mail” by R.K. Narayan
Play
Thanappa is the village mailman who is good friends with Ramanujam and
his family. He gets to know about a failed marriage and helps Ramanujam’s
daughter get engaged with a suitable match. Just before the wedding,
Thanappa receives a tragic letter about Ramanujam’s brother. He decides
not to deliver it.
What Is Great About It: Despite the best of intentions, our actions can
cause more harm to our loved ones than we ever intended. The story is
about the complicated play of relationships and feelings which are always
present in our social circles, but we are often ignorant of it.