"The Secret Life of Walter Mitty," by James Thurber, is a short story about a man who is desperately hoping to escape his life's position. As an escape route, he daydreams constantly about living exotic and intriguing lives of other people who are much more successful and happy than he is. Mitty's daydreams seem harmless, but they often cause him to find himself in awkward positions when he returns to reality.

The story begins with a shouting Commander who is in an obviously dangerous situation. The Commander is ordering his Lieutenant to prepare to power up their Navy hydroplane, although it is against the Lieutenant's best judgment because of an impending hurricane. The crew looks on, confident that their Commander, whom they have nicknamed the Old Man, will see them through safely, as it is implied he has done in the past.

Suddenly, the voice...