Maupassant is considered as one of the trendsetters like Somerset Maugham and O. Henry in the field of contemporary short story. He is famous for clever plotting and realistic art in displaying his subject. The Father reveals a man's essential kindness by telling a marriage story. As a realistic masterpiece, The Grave reflects the reality in a natural and vivid manner. The History of a Heart tells a life story of a woman. At her old age, she regains hope towards life. The Log describes a story about marriage, love and friendship.

This book includes four short stories of Maupassant: The Father, The Grave, The History of a Heart and The Log. The Father tells of a person who runs away from his marriage reassuming his responsibility as a father. In The Grave, the protagonist digs out the grave illegally. However, he is judged to be innocent because of his sincere love and loyalty to his lover. In The History of a Heart, the protagonist gets married with hope, but her life is full of misfortunes. The Log demonstrates deep feelings about marriage, love and friendship.

Guy de Maupassant ( 5 August 1850 – 6 July 1893) was a popular French writer, considered one of the fathers of the modern short story and one of the form's finest exponents. Maupassant was a protégé of Flaubert and his stories are characterized by economy of style and efficient, effortless dénouements (outcomes). Many are set during the Franco-Prussian War of the 1870s, describing the futility of war and the innocent civilians who, caught up in events beyond their control, are permanently changed by their experiences. He wrote some 300 short stories, six novels, three travel books, and one volume of verse. His first published story, "Boule de Suif" ("Ball of Fat", 1880), is often considered his masterpiece.