Ray Bradbury created heart-pounding suspense that made each reader want to yell at their book, “Listen to her!” in this wonderful short story in which a precocious little girl named Margaret hears a woman screaming from beneath the ground in an old lot. But no one believes her! Taking it upon herself to dig the woman up and save her, eventually getting help from her friend Dippy whom she plays with, adults again prevent her from saving the woman.

As Bradbury ratchets up the tension, he drops clues for the reader so only they know who the woman is, making it all the more urgent for little Margaret to find a way to save her. Bradbury does a marvelous piece of writing here, the narrator a ten-year old little girl. Adapted by the great radio show, Suspense, starring little Margaret O’Brien, both the show and the short story are classics. This is a child’s world, and Bradbury captures it in all its magic, through the thoughts and actions of little Margaret. And yet, the actual reason for the woman being buried is quite adult.

This as an absolute must-read for short story enthusiasts, Bradbury devotees, and anyone who loves a well written story. I've read it many times, and even though I knew what will happen, it is still thrilling. Both delightful and suspenseful, you’ll never forget it. Several adaptations of the story for Suspense were popular with fans of radio. I am posting a link to what I feel is the best one, starring Margaret O’Brien, which someone has been kind enough to upload to you-tube. It’s only 30 minutes in length, so like the story, short but very memorable. One of Bradbury’s absolute best, told through the eyes of a child.

Here is the link to the radio adaptation — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcRDk_pK1UE ( )