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Continue reading →: Listening“The wind has calmed, so peaceful yet if I listen, I can hear a thousand voices,” said Anya. Every morning, the matron sat outside and read her books while she sipped tea. “What must the birds think of me sitting here munching on cake? Hoping I’ll drop a few crumbs…
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Continue reading →: Naughty Children“Oh, I understand your point of view, really, I do. I’m afraid that pulling Sally’s pigtails does not qualify as a preemptive attack for when she kicks you,” said the Coal Bringer. Each year, the Coal Bringer visits naughty children during the Halloween season. The visit is an attempt to…
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Continue reading →: I Spy“Quenton, your people must understand you have great power. This makes the outsiders afraid,” said High Council Verous. “We, the all-seeing eyes, are not afraid of the two legs. It’s they who are failing to follow the compact,” replied Quenton. When humans first came to the Yung-Dow mountains, they were…
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Continue reading →: Ever Wonder?“Tyre, you ever wonder what life is like outside the forest?” asked Bobby. “Can’t say as I ever did. Why are you thinking about such things? Miss Daisy says that sort of thing will land you in trouble,” replied his friend. Bobby and Tyre had been best friends as long…
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Continue reading →: Dark Troubles“Get out, you interloper! How dare you steal my precious mushrooms? A plague on your house,” cried Tamaki. The Senjen lived alone in the dark forest where he raised shiitake mushrooms. On market day, he would load his basket and head to town to sell his fungi. “If I catch…
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Continue reading →: CoddiwompleCoddiwomple (v.) to travel in a purposeful manner towards a vague destination. “Winds are picking up, Dodger. We should be heading in the right direction soon,” said Merkel. The two aeronauts were heading for their next port of call, wherever that would be. Merkel trusted the elements would put him…
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Continue reading →: Tea and Cakes“Cookies, cakes, pie, and tea, that’s what’s in store for me,” sang Daedalus. Once a month, the Puntik would sail his little shruberish down the babbling brook. There, he would have afternoon tea with Ursula, the wise woman. “What special treat will Ursula have prepared today? I hope it has…
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Continue reading →: Sea Sprites“You’re a liar, Billy Stoat,” said Thomas. “It’s true, my grandfather took this picture while he was serving on the HMS Britney,” said Billy. Billy had brought an old, faded photograph to school, which he had found in his grandfather’s house. “My father said the Sea Sprites are children’s stories…
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Continue reading →: DesideriumDesiderium(n.) a feeling of loss or grief for something lost “It’s all gone, Dionychus,” said Kinoko to his dragling. The Mardye had lived in this part of the forest for twenty generations. When Kinoko’s grandfather was a boy, the round eyes came. After that, the forest spirit Mahoya cried out…
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Continue reading →: Snailing the Seven Seas“Foul weather ahead, Agnes, best go around, don’t want any troubles like the last storm,” said Tuft McGraw. Tuft and his good ship Agnes roamed the seven seas. They searched for items that royalty would give a sack of gold for. “We’ll make the Spice Islands by midmorning if we…
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Continue reading →: Autumn Nears“My goodness, what a wonderful smell. How I love Autumn’s fragrances,” remarked Anya. This year would be her one hundredth Autumn. Thinking of all the village festivities made her as giddy as a schoolgirl. “I can’t wait to tell Gojeck about tonight’s harvest moon,” said Anya. Anya’s husband was a…
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Continue reading →: SundaysThurston Tumblebottom loved Sundays. “Where will I go today?” Thurston said. As he climbed a nearby hill, Thurston spotted a small brook. “Listening to a babbling brook is a fine way to spend the day,” remarked Thurston. Ten minutes later, Thurston sat over the brook on the trunk of a…
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Continue reading →: Fear“Today I’ll go as far as the grain field and bring back a feast,” Carrow told his mother. “Why must you always try to prove that you are as good as your father? He died because of his ego, and now you’re doing the same,” replied his mother. When Carrow…
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Continue reading →: Holiday“Warriors? I see no warriors here,” said Gunnar. Things were slow in Asgard. The great fighter booked a two-night and three-day stay in Greenland. Fights worth fighting, they claimed. Hello, is there anybody out there?” cried the demigod. He had arrived an hour ago across the rainbow bridge. Expecting hordes…
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Continue reading →: Taking Things Easy“A twist to the left, then a twist to the right, and it’s open,” said Tawny McGill. Tawny took things easy, a little too easy for the local constable’s liking. Those duffers have no appreciation for my talents,” Tawny would often say. “I am getting too old for this kind…
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Continue reading →: Scardy Cat-A-PillarIzba, the magical cat, was walking in the woods. A butterfly flew up and asked for help in a breathless voice. The butterfly explained that a friend was in danger, and she needed to contact the Marsh Wizard, Fern. Izba asked the insect to rest on his fez while he…
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Continue reading →: Desert DancingOne for the wee folk. Edna was reluctant to dance with Ender, but her friends encouraged her to try it. While the baboon band played a hip-hop tune, Ender asked Edna to dance. At first, her feet stumbled all over the place. Not wanting Edna to look silly, he also…
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Continue reading →: Tatter-Man ComethA Tatter-Man Wiki Tatty-Bogles are scary as they shamble down country roads with their arms outstretched as if crucified. Inspiring terror may not be their prime motivation. They want to stretch their legs after a long day of standing in solitude. The fear generated may be either amusing or regrettable…
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Continue reading →: RusalkiA traveling scholar stopped near a lake to refresh himself. Per tradition, he paid his respects to the lake spirits. The traveler placed a chunk of bread on his folded handkerchief. He bowed and asked permission to wash. He wanted to cool himself off next to their pool. He then…
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Continue reading →: A Fool and his Boat“I hope this boat knows where it’s going. I don’t want to be late for supper,” said the fool. Angus was considered a fool. He wondered why folks were so cruel. He rarely spoke. When he did, it was a yes or no. “Look at how high I am, I…
Twisted Tales to Delight and Amaze
Christopher Johnson
Christopher is a retired professor of science and medical education and a children’s author living in Taiwan. He has over 30 years of experience working in higher education internationally. Originally from Huron, Ohio, in the United States, he spent his childhood playing in Lake Erie and Sawmill Creek.
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