The short story, “Ransom of Red Chief” and “Little It: The Story of the Lindbergh Kidnapping”, O.
Henry, and “Little It: The story of the Lindbergh Kidnapping”, author is unknown, are both based off
kidnapping with the intent of ransom. “Ransom of Red Chief” is a fictitious story whereas “Little It: The
story of the Kidnapping” is based off a true kidnapping. The two stories share both similarities and
differences and this essay will outline the differences. The two stories are different in the way that they
have different reactions, conflicts, and authors purpose; however a difference similarity is they both
involve a kidnapping.
One difference is the author’s purpose. From “Ransom of Red Chief,” “The Ransom of Red Chief”
is a long joke about a pair of kidnappers who make off with a nine year-old boy who proves so ornery
that they become his victims” (Henry 66). This shows that the story is entertaining. From Little It: The
Story of the Lindbergh Kidnapping,” “The Kidnapping of Charles A. and Anne M. Lindbergh’s twenty
month old son horrified the United States, and even the world” (unknown 2).
Although there are many differences between “Ransom of Red Chief” and “Little It: story of the
Lindbergh Kidnapping” both share many similarities. One similarity is a kid got kidnapped. From
“Ransom of Red Chief,” “Red Chief,” says I to the kid, “would you like to go home?” (Henry 68). This
shows that the kid has been kidnapped. From “Little It: The Story of the Lindbergh Kidnapping,”
“Lindbergh tuned to his wife and said, “Anne, they have stolen our baby” (unknown 2). These show that
the stories are similar because both kids got kidnapped. Both kids got kidnapped is their similarity.
While you can see there are many differences and similarities between “Ransom of Red Chief”
and “Little It: Story of the Lindbergh Kidnapping,” the difference far exceed the similarities. “Ransom of
Red Chief” is fictitious story that brings humor to a kidnapping: while “Little It: Story of the Lindbergh
Kidnapping’ is based on a true kidnapping that ended in heartbreak and sorrow. The two stories are
different because of the author’s purpose, conflicts, and reaction while they have also share both kids
getting kidnapped. I think these stories are very good stories