QUAINTUPLETS: Lyall Whistle-Lips

     In the damp northern land of Tarrefol, a young man named Lyall worked as a shepherd.  Every day, he took his village’s sheep to the hills north of town where they could feed on the green grass.      His job was to see that at least as many sheep came home at night asContinue reading “QUAINTUPLETS: Lyall Whistle-Lips”

FICTION FRIDAY: Too Close?

“Now, remember, Forsyth.  You were voted the best man for the job.” “It’s an honor, sir.  Unusual, but quite an honor to be chosen for the first interplanetary blind date.” “Yes, the women of Earth picked you as the best overall…ah, here she comes.  Remember, you’re the hope of an entire planet.” “But, sir!  She’s….”Continue reading “FICTION FRIDAY: Too Close?”

QUAINTUPLETS: Egbert’s Soul, Pt. 2

     “I’ve broken my soul!” wailed Egbert, looking left and right for a door in the wall.  “I know it.  I’ve broken my soul and I shall never be happy again!”      The egg had not, as a matter of fact, broken.  On the other side of the wall was the garden of the King. Continue reading “QUAINTUPLETS: Egbert’s Soul, Pt. 2”

QUAINTUPLETS: Egbert’s Soul, Part 1

     A power of years ago, but not so far from Fairview, there lived a fool named Egbert.  Egbert was a good, honest fellow, understand: a man who grew vegetables on his little farm, went to services of a Sunday, and never fought with his neighbors.  He was just not so very clever.  Everybody knewContinue reading “QUAINTUPLETS: Egbert’s Soul, Part 1”

FICTION FRIDAY: The Christmas Clown

     Beth swept snow from the top of the last box and threw herself onto a chair.  She was immediately sorry she’d done this: her soaking wet gloves and sodden stocking cap were right under her.  It didn’t really matter.  The last of the snow was disappearing into her coat, turned into ice water toContinue reading “FICTION FRIDAY: The Christmas Clown”

FICTION FRIDAY: No Cellar Door

     “Welcome, oh seeker of knowledge, to the serene sanctuary of Madame Silsallabeth, whose eye sees all and whose mind…oh wow!”      “Yeah, I’m back.”      “Is that Patty?”      “The last time I was here I was Lucid Student Patricia.”      “The last time you were here you had two ears.”      “And tenContinue reading “FICTION FRIDAY: No Cellar Door”

FICTION FRIDAY: Knit Wit

     “Who goes there?”      “A friend.  Winky sent me.”      “What’s the password?”      “More is more.”      “Enter, friend.  But remember, no telling people….”      “Oh, jingles!  Owwwww!”      “Winky should’ve warned you to put these dark glasses on.”      “The colors!  The….  Thank you, that’s better.”      “Yes, we wear ‘em allContinue reading “FICTION FRIDAY: Knit Wit”

FICTION FRIDAY: Grading on the Curve

“We’re glad to see you again.  What have you learned?” “Well, it isn’t just folklore: your Dead Man’s Curve has indeed been the site of a strange series of fatalities.” “That’s what we assumed.” “In 1915, a Mercer Raceabout was the first car to crash, killing its driver.  But the car was salvaged and, twoContinue reading “FICTION FRIDAY: Grading on the Curve”

WEDNESDAY FICTION: In the Details

     “So I get three wishes?  Say yes or I’ll stick you back in the bottle.”      “Yes, my mistress, you are to receive, to the best of my ability, three wishes.”      “Good.  I had to slaughter the entire Psiclysmian royal family, AND their horses and dogs, for access to the chest where theyContinue reading “WEDNESDAY FICTION: In the Details”

THE SOUND AND THE FURRY: Kerrin and the Thorn Tree

     Kerrin lived in the city of Sartain, and she liked it.  She would write letters to her relatives who lived in the country, asking why they didn’t move to a nicer place.      “Everything in the city is clean and modern,” she wrote.  “We have nice, solid rick buildings with none of your thatchedContinue reading “THE SOUND AND THE FURRY: Kerrin and the Thorn Tree”