Honore de Balzac 
Christ in Flanders [PDF ebook] 

This short tale is part of the "Philosophical Studies" section of Honore de Balzac’s The Human Comedy. Almost fable-like in tone, it recounts a boat ride carrying a group of passengers that represent a broad cross-section of society. When a sudden storm hits, chaos ensues, and each passenger’s reaction speaks volumes about his or her moral compass.