The seventeen stories in this selection are arranged in the order in which they were written which allows the reader to discover how Munro's work developed, taking surprising turns.

Royal beatings -- Beggar maid -- Turkey season -- Moons of Jupiter -- Progress of love -- Miles City, Montana -- Friend of my youth -- Meneseteung -- Differently -- Carried away -- Albanian virgin -- Wilderness station -- Vandals -- Hateship, friendship, courtship, loveship, marriage -- Save the reaper -- Runaway -- Bear came over the mountain.