Best known as a master of searing satire, American author Ambrose Bierce was also an accomplished short story writer. The engrossing tale The Damned Thing presents as its central theme the ultimately unknowable—and untameable—essence of nature and the natural world. Told from several different perspectives, the story focuses on a freak fatal accident that is written off as a wild animal attack. But does that description get at the truth of the matter? At least one witness is convinced otherwise. Read The Damned Thing to try your own hand at solving the case.