A Bear Followed Me on a Camping Trip—And We Developed a Real Friendship
The author had heard about wild animals that bonded with humans. But this seven-foot Goliath had claws that could shred...
How I Escaped from Cuba in 1969 in the Wheel Well of a Jet
This RD classic from 50 years ago tells the thrilling story of a teen who made a daring escape...
The Night I Met Einstein
This Reader's Digest Classic of "My Most Unforgettable Character" offers a lesson in life—and music—from the most brilliant mind in...
His Parachute Got Stuck on the Plane’s Wheel and He Was Suspended in Midair with Little Chance...
Almost 80 years after it unfolded in the sky over San Diego, a nearly impossible rescue mission remains one of...
Former Alcatraz Inmate Reveals What the Prison Was Really Like
This is the real story of a prisoner at the infamous Alcatraz prison, incarcerated at the same time as Al...
This Girl Wrote Her Dad a Letter to Cope with His Death—and Got a Response
Desiree was only four when she lost her Dad. She desperately wanted to talk to him one last time.
Her Husband Vanished Without a Trace—15 Years Later, the Doorbell Rang
For 15 years, Anne McDonnell lived in limbo, not knowing whether her Jim was dead or alive. Then, one Christmas,...
One Father’s Battle Between Working and Giving Attention to His Daughter
In this award-winning story, originally published in Reader's Digest in 1969, a father learns to embrace the chaos of his...
This Powerful Story Will Convince You to Stop Saying “Let Me Know If You Need Anything”
What does someone who has suffered a sudden trauma and grief most need?
How a Boy and His Telephone Operator Formed a Lovely, Lasting Friendship
In this Reader's Digest Classic, originally published in 1966 as "The Voice in the Box," a little boy forges a...
The Unforgettable Legacy of Miss Bessie Taylor Gwynn
The lessons she taught went far beyond the three Rs.
Christmas Stories: The Gold and Ivory Tablecloth
A pastor’s impulsive purchase leads to an incredible reunion. Coincidence—or divine guidance? You be the judge in this story of...
Jesse Owens: My Greatest Olympic Prize
In this RD Classic from our archives, American athlete Jesse Owens tells his stunning Olympic story about putting differences aside...
The Unsinkable Titanic
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912, we dug into our archives...
The True Story Behind The Vow
Fall in love with the Reader's Digest original story that inspired the romantic movie starring Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum.
