A catastrophe

H.G. Wells's short story, 'A Catastrophe' was published alongside many of his other works in 'The Plattner Story and Others'. This novella is a poignant tale of a cloth merchant, named Winslow, whose business is on the brink of bankrupcy; his competitor Bandersnatch undercuts his prices and he still owes his investors – Helter, Skelter and Grab – money. His fortunes change, however, when the titular catastrophe strikes the family just in time to stop complete financial ruin. H.G. Wells (1866 – 1946) was a prolific writer and the author of more than 50 novels. Additionally, he wrote more than 60 short stories, alongside various scientific papers. Many of his most famous works have been adapted for film and television, including 'The Time Machine,' starring Guy Pearce, 'War of the Worlds,' starring Tom Cruise, and 'The Invisible Man,' starring Elizabeth Moss. Because of his various works exploring futuristic themes, Wells is regarded as one of the 'Fathers of Science Fiction.'