89 prose texts by 49 authors from Spanish America - concise, pointed, astonishing, or even disturbing. Short stories have developed into an independent genre in the Spanish-speaking world, particularly in Latin America, throughout the 20th century. They are dynamic, lasting snapshots, with no limits to the diversity of their themes; nothing is too close or too distant for them to make it their subject matter with complete naturalness. They deal with the ordinary and often deceptive everyday life, but they also like to tip into the playful, absurd, and fantastical, adhering to no other boundaries than their brevity. Short stories are characterized by clear and simple language, and due to their length, they can be easily managed, making the original texts ideal as teaching material in Spanish classes and courses.