What do four little girls discover when they spend an afternoon by the sea? Maggie, a shell; Milly, a star; Molly, a "horrible thing"; and May, a smooth round stone. This seemingly simple story by American poet Edward Estlin Cummings (1894 1962), showcasing his signature quirky style, is delightful as well as profound. Readers will enjoy the day at the beach for its innate pleasures, but on contemplation may realize that objects encountered by the...