In the penal colony

Author's name: Franz Kafka

As the explorer approached, some of them stood up. They stood against the wall, their eyes fixed on him. “A foreigner,” a whisper went around the explorer, “and he wants to see the grave.” They moved one of the tables aside, and sure enough, there was a tombstone beneath it. It was an ordinary stone, low enough to be hidden under a table. On it was an inscription in tiny letters, so small that the explorer had to get down on his knees to read it. It was written: “Here lies the ancient leader. His followers, who are now forbidden to reveal themselves, have dug this grave for him and placed this tombstone on it. The prophecy says that after a certain number of years the leader will rise from his grave and from this house will lead his followers to reclaim the colony and return it to their control. So believe and wait!” "In the Punishment Colony" translated from German, along with three other stories by Franz Kafka, is one of the most important short stories published during his lifetime.