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"Saint Joseph and the Case of the 'For Sale Sign' " succeeds as a humorous vignette that carries thematic weight beneath its wit. By pairing a skeptical narrator, a desperate scientist, and a knowing dog, the story examines the porous boundaries between logic, faith, and community ritual. Its charm lies in its understated irony and its ability to invite laughter while prompting reflection on the strange, enduring human need to believe.
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Saint Joseph and the Case of the “For Sale” Sign
By Harry Arabian
On a deceptively sunny morning, when my legs protested louder than my alarm clock, I dragged myself up the grueling incline of Palfrey Street to Whitney Hill. The air smelled faintly of freshly cut grass, and a sprinkler clicked lazily in the distance, as if the whole neighborhood hadn’t quite decided to wake up. Whitey, my ever-enthusiastic canine companion, made it first, wagging his tail like a tiny metronome behind the fence while issuing three barked proclamations of victory. I reached into my pocket for a nicely wrapped dog treat—because even a dog knows the value of positive reinforcement.
That’s when Mr. Wang appeared. My neighbor, the man who had stormed off to Taiwan six months ago after declaring U.S. politics ‘a tragedy’ and resigning from his biochemical research position, was now standing in front of his stubbornly unsold house. I braced myself for the usual rant about real estate, market forces, or the inexplicable pricing of crusty old cottages.
Instead, he said, “Good morning, Mr. Herald. Have you heard of St. Joseph?”
I blinked. From a man of science? St. Joseph? My mind flashed back to my parents’ old trick of burying tiny saints in the yard to sell a house. “Ah, yes,” I said cautiously, “it works… but you have to follow the rules.”
Mr. Wang, unfazed by my raised eyebrow, produced a tiny statue from his pocket. Whitey, clearly sensing a new adventure (or perhaps more treats), parked himself nearby, tail still wagging, as if to say, “Do I get extra for ceremonial supervision?”
Without further ado, we grabbed a small shovel and approached the stubborn “For Sale” sign that had been mocking Mr. Wang for over six months. We dug a modest hole, ceremoniously placed the saint facing the street, and gently buried its head in the soil. Whitey sniffed the statue, nodded approvingly, and barked once—apparently an official blessing.
As we stepped back, admiring our handiwork, Mr. Wang said quietly, “Now we wait.” I thought: in the world of biochemistry, molecules obey laws; in real estate, apparently, saints do.
Whitey, having received a second treat, lay down with a look that said:
“I supervised science, politics, and religion today. I demand a nap.”
Book Club Summary
ReplyDeleteSaint Joseph and the Case of the “For Sale” Sign is a witty, character-driven short story about a neighborly encounter on an ordinary suburban morning. The narrator, out walking his dog Whitey, stumbles upon Mr. Wang, a disillusioned scientist who has returned from Taiwan to find his house still unsold. In an ironic twist, this man of science turns to superstition: the folk ritual of burying a statue of St. Joseph to help speed a home sale. The narrator joins in, half-skeptical but cooperative, while Whitey provides comic relief as the story’s unofficial witness.
The piece explores the intersections of science, politics, religion, and community, highlighting the absurd ways humans try to wrest control from uncertainty. Its humor lies in the juxtaposition of rational thought with ritualized superstition, while its warmth comes from the narrator’s willingness to participate—and Whitey’s final punchline that collapses all human endeavors into one weary absurdity.
Discussion Questions
Theme of Belief:
Mr. Wang, a scientist, turns to a folk superstition. What does this suggest about the limits of rational thinking when it comes to human hope and desperation?
Community & Ritual:
Why does the narrator agree to help, despite skepticism? What does this say about neighborly bonds and shared rituals, even when we don’t fully believe in them?
Role of Humor:
How does humor affect the tone of the story? Does it undercut the seriousness of the themes, or does it actually highlight them?
Whitey’s Perspective:
Whitey the dog acts almost like a Greek chorus, commenting silently on events. How does his presence shape your reading of the story? Could the piece work without him?
Science, Politics, and Religion:
The story mentions all three as realms Whitey “supervised.” Do you see these domains as equally ritualistic in the way people practice them? How does the story blur the lines between them?
Ending Impact:
The story ends with Whitey’s quip about demanding a nap. Do you think this was the best way to close the piece, or would a more serious reflection have been stronger?
Personal Connection:
Have you or someone you know ever engaged in a superstition (burying a saint, knocking on wood, carrying a talisman) even if you didn’t believe in it? How did it feel compared to the way rituals are portrayed here?