The Folklore of Our Times

In this story, the narrator recounts a chance encounter with a former schoolmate. The friend, once the epitome of perfection—handsome, intelligent, and popular—shares a poignant story about his high school girlfriend. Their relationship, marked by emotional connection and conflicting views on intimacy, ultimately leads to a bittersweet separation. The story explores themes of idealism, disillusionment, and the passage of time, highlighting how youthful ideals often clash with adult realities.

First published in The New Yorker on June 1, 2003, the story is included in the English-language collection Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman (2006) under the title "A Folklore for My Generation: A Prehistory of Late-Stage Capitalism."