An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge

"An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" by Ambrose Bierce is a short story that explores the illusion of reality and the mind's perception of time during moments of intense stress. It follows a man being executed by hanging, and as he appears to die, the story reveals his vivid imagined escape and reunion with loved ones. In reality, he is still dying on the bridge. The story highlights how the mind can create detailed, life-like experiences, making us wonder how perception and reality can blur, especially under extreme conditions.