Summary

The short story “The Fly-Paper” by Elizabeth Taylor opens with a description of the main character, Sylvia, about to take the bus on her way to her music lesson. She does not enjoy going to music lessons and only does so because her grandmother insists on it.

On the bus, an elderly man starts talking to her, showing an interest in her activities. She answers him, even though she is unsettled and embarrassed. The man starts singing and a woman turns to look at them and argues with him. 

Sylvia decides to get off at an earlier stop to buy a lollipop, but the man follows her and offers to buy her an ice cream. Sylvia is scared and remembers her grandmother’s warnings about not talking to strangers.

The woman from the bus shows up and sends the man away, walking off w...