The story takes place in a small town. There is only few people but they have a old culture, even older than most of the townspeople, which is the lottery. Everyone attaches great importance to this lottery. Maybe it will bring huge rewards to the winners. But when Mr. Dunbar was absent, Mr. Summers asked to help Mr. Dunbar participate. Mandatory participation seems unreasonable for a lottery. When Tessie became the ultimate “winner”, the reason behind it was revealed. The final “reward” is just the stones people throw at her.