Luck
by Mark Twain | Grades 9-12
"Luck," a short story by Mark Twain, explores how fate and chance can determine a person's life. The narrative unfolds through a conversation between a clergyman and an unnamed speaker at a banquet in London. The clergyman recounts the astonishing rise of a man known as Scoresby, who, despite his incompetence and lack of skill, ascends to the rank of a celebrated military hero purely through a series of fortunate accidents. Twain's masterful storytelling and wit highlight the role of luck in success, challenging the notion that merit alone dictates one's achievements.