Folksburywoods

Anya was still in her mother’s womb the last time the dragon blood tree bloomed. Her mother pressed several leaves in the family’s book of remembrance. Anya could not imagine what it would be like to glaze upon the tree in full bloom. In her one-hundred-and-eighth year, Anya received word…

Old Dan Tittelson had worked in Devon for thirty years and never liked a day of it. He loved his work at the mill but hated the walk home every night. If Dan was goaded into having a pint at the Drunken Sailor, he regretted it when he finished and…

Petunia Whoo lived alone in a small cottage on the edge of the moors. Some time ago, her husband had died suddenly during a winter sickness. Rising before dawn, the farm lady milks the cows, makes the bread, and splits the firewood for the day. Breakfast is simple—hot porridge with…

Metzger did not know his age. His life in the swamp had seen many suns cross the sky. Each day was the same: wake, kill flesh, eat flesh, then sleep. Sometimes, the two legs would come to his swamp, so he killed and ate them. When he was smaller, his…

Greetings, weary travelers, and welcome to the library. The Master is away securing needed supplies of worms-wort for our Halloween brew. Please sit and relax while I tell you about my recent adventure in the Yucatan Peninsula to secure this rare stone mask of Empiror Ciksmihalyi. After the Master and…

When Wilma passed away, Ned lost his energy to do much around the farm. After morning coffee, he shuffled around the house, setting things up properly as Wilma would have liked. Sometimes, friends drop by with a pie or buttermilk biscuits and share the local gossip. Ned enjoys these visits…

“All is well, all is well, all is well,” chanted Ms Root one afternoon in the garden of delights. She had come to deal with a problem concerning a friend. “I must stop him from being so negative. He’s so dark every day, and frankly, I am sick of the…

“Why have you come into my woods? Can’t you see it is dark, dead, and gloomy? Now go away, or I say flail you with these branches,” shouted the old tree. The elfling stood smiling up at the tree, making things worse. “Why are you so grumpy?” the boy asked.…

As a schoolgirl, Minerva was a sassy lass who chased all the boys with a cricket bat. Later, she grew into a stunning beauty, the likes no man had seen. “Don’t let the beauty fool you. Minerva has more brains than the entire town,” her headmistress was often caught saying.…