This anthology brings together twenty-two of the most memorable Urdu short stories in a distinctive selection of acclaimed authors who range from the earliest stalwarts to the most renowned contemporary writers of Urdu literature. The stories have been selected for their literary merit as well as their appeal to general readers. At least two of the authors (Zaheer Babar and Hayatullah Ansari) included in this collection have been neglected by other anthologists andtranslators although their work is indisputably of classic stature. Eight of the stories have been translated into English for the very first time.