I Spy by Graham Greene. Short summary

5 seconds

The main character in the piece is Charlie Stowe, who decided to steal cigarettes from a store owned by his father. When the boy went downstairs, he heard his father’s footsteps and two strangers.

1 minute

The main character is a boy named Charlie Stowe. One night he climbed out of bed and, making sure his mother was sound asleep, went to the cigarette store. It belonged to Charlie’s father, and was located twelve steps below the Stowe house. The child had no doubt whatsoever that stealing cigarettes from Daddy’s store was a crime. Little Stowe went down to the store, but hesitated for some time to turn on the lights.

Soon there was a reflection of light in the overhead window, and Charlie was able to spot the location of the cigarettes. He took them, but then remembered that he had forgotten to bring matches with him. Little Stowe didn’t move for a while, and when he decided to do so, he heard footsteps outside. He was surprised to hear such a late walk.

Soon Charlie saw the key in the front door lock turn, and his father’s voice asked some gentlemen to be quiet so as not to wake his family. His father took a few packs of cigarettes with him, and then left with the strangers.