9. A Christmas Story
The Setup: Little Ralphie wants nothing more than to find an official Red Ryder, carbine action, two-hundred shot range model air rifle under the tree for Christmas despite everyone warning him that he'll shoot his eye out.
What Goes Wrong: Much like W.W. Jacobs classic fable The Monkey's Paw, Director Bob Clark turns A Christmas Story into a parable about how wishing for more than you need can lead to your downfall. Ralphie wants nothing more than a Red Rider BB Gun for Christmas but he may be getting more than he bargained for. The people around Ralphie let him know that a gun might be too much toy for him to handle; Ralphie's mother, his teacher and a mall Santa all warn him that he'll shoot his eye out once he gets a hold of his prize. Like many tragic heroes before him, Ralphie ignores the warning signs that the universe throws his way and persists in asking for the toy until he gets what he wants on Christmas morning. An enthusiastic Ralphie goes out to test shoot his new gun and promptly fulfils the prophecy by accidentally dislodging an icicle that shatters his glasses and leaves him temporarily blind. When Ralphie's mother brings him inside to tend to his wounds, the next doors neighbors gang of dogs bust into the house and go to town on Ralphie's Christmas dinner.
The Moral Of The Story: Ralphie's family solves their dinner dilemma by going to a Chinese restaurant for an impromptu feast, proving that even the universe gives you some gift-wrapped irony as a Christmas present you can still make the most of a bad situation.