In the story "Two Kinds," Jing-mei and her mother have a conflicted relationship because Jing-mei's mother tries to turn her into a prodigy. Although Jing-mei initially complies with her mother's efforts, she soon discovers she cannot live up to her mother's demands. The sticking point becomes piano playing. Jing-mei's mother is sure her daughter has enough natural talent to be a prodigy — if she only wanted to be one and if she would try. Jing-mei...