B. J. Harrison Reads Rain

"Rain" is a short story by Somerset Maugham in which a missionary attempts to convert a prostitute and lead her away from her sinful life. The story takes place on a ship, which drops anchor on the Pacific island of Pago Pago. An epidemic of measles breaks out, and the ship cannot leave the port before everyone is checked. One of the passengers, Miss Thompson, is an insolent red-light-district professional, and Davidson, the missionary, takes it to heart to save her soul. A powerful short story of Christian values and a man’s mistaken beliefs, "Rain" is a tale of sin and misunderstanding, criticising hypocrisy and fake ideals. It one of Maugham’s most masterful stories.