Book excerpt: The Banshees of Inisherin is a short story written by John Millington Synge. The story is set in a small island called Inisherin, located off the western coast of Ireland. The story revolves around two old women who are believed to be banshees by the locals. The two women, who were sisters, lived in an old cottage on the island. Despite their age, they were still considered to be fierce and powerful beings by the locals. The villagers would often approach the sisters for their blessings or to ask for their help in solving their problems. The story describes the daily routine of the two sisters, who are called Mary and Nora. The two women would spend their days knitting or tending to their small garden. However, they were believed to have special powers, and the villagers feared them. This fear was further heightened when a young boy mysteriously disappeared from the island, and the sisters were blamed for it. Despite this, the sisters continued with their routine, unaffected by the accusations. However, the story takes a dark turn towards the end, when the sisters reveal their true identity and intentions, leaving the readers with a sense of unease and mystery.