Daddy Jake the Runaway, and Short Stories Told after Dark

"Daddy Jake the Runaway" by Joel Chandler Harris is a compilation of stories that kicks off with the story of Daddy Jake, a long-time worker on a Southern plantation during the Civil War era. The stories touch on devotion, dependence, and the complicated connections between people living on the plantation, especially as noticed by the children, Lucien and Lillian, after Daddy Jake runs away. The story shows Daddy Jake's sudden leaving, known and loved by the plantation's children. Following a fight with the new overseer, he defends himself and then runs off into the forest, scared of what might happen to him. As the family deals with his absence, Lucien and Lillian set off on their own search to locate him, taking a boat down the river to find their cherished Daddy Jake. Their pure commitment stands in contrast to the worries of the adults, as they are troubled by the possibilities of a runaway during the war. The story shows both funny and sincere moments, painting a picture of plantation life and the links between its people.