From time immemorial, stories have been narrated and passed down to the people through their ancestors. Stories are vehicles carrying information of geography, history and culture. Ralph Ellison’s short stories explore the issues of racial discrimination and post-slavery trauma suffered by the African Americans. In his early stories Ellison talks about the generation change, escaping the racial oppression, adapting in the post-slavery times and promise of equality through the eye of two young African American boys. Set in the early 20th century in America, stories follow two boys Buster and Riley whose bond reflects the challenges and resilience of Black youth navigating the constraints imposed by the systemic racism. The present paper is an attempt to study child psychology and the elements of narrative techniques such as folklore, imagery, symbolism employed by the author Ralph in his story – “Afternoon” that makes his work rich and vibrant. Though these stories are lesser known than his novel “Invisible Man” (1952) but they offer valuable insight into evolving voice and vision. Ellison’s rich use of symbolism of wings, folklore and subtle delineation of child psychology add insightful view of his exploration of race, identity and promises expected in the American society.