Twisted Tales to Delight and Amaze

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    Sundays

    Sundays

    Thurston 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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    Fear

    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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  • Holiday

    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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  • Taking Things Easy

    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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    Scardy Cat-A-Pillar

    Scardy Cat-A-Pillar

    Izba, 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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  • Desert Dancing

    Desert Dancing

    One 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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    Tatter-Man Cometh

    Tatter-Man Cometh

    A 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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    Rusalki

    Rusalki

    A 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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    A Fool and his Boat

    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…

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  • Withering Wick

    Withering Wick

    “The wick, it withers, said the man. John Thomas sat watching the candle burn. He went to a seer who interpreted his dream. The man cried out, “The vision was clear, my death is imminent.” He remained awake, tending the flame to keep it from extinguishing. “How can I forestall…

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    Autumn’s Home

    Autumn’s Home

    “It seems the weather has turned Acacia,” said the matron to her owl. Efterår lived alone and liked it that way. Her parents had moved from Copenhagen when her mother was still pregnant. “We should go and check the hedgerows to see what berries are ripe today,” the woman said.…

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    Family Feud

    Family Feud

    “Tomorrow is Samhain,” said Gerald. “The excitement is killing me,” remarked Veronica. “Will you be wearing your leeches, Samantha?” asked Randel. “I don’t care about your silly holiday. You three get up in branches about a ceremony you’re not even invited to,” said Samantha. “There she goes ruining it for…

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  • Just Wait Until Halloween

    “We’ve done it this year, Aloysius,” said Jack to his cat. The annual harvest festival holds an enormous pumpkin contest. Jack enters and loses to Myrtle Pineberry of Happy Acres Farms every year. “I can’t wait to see that pomus woman’s face when I unveil these beauties,” chuckled Jack. Pumpkins…

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  • Retribution

    Retribution

    “Vengeance will be mine,” said the fox. Since he was a kit, Ajax had been tormented by the crows. “A murder of crows is it. You wait until I’m older, and you’ll know what a real murder looks like,” muttered the fox. “Rosey Red, why are you looking down today?…

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  • What Price of a Crown

    What Price of a Crown

    “What price of a crown of a King on his throne when he sits all alone?” asked the monarch. Trandor IV sat alone at a forgotten pond on the royal estate. “I should have done so much more to help my people. Instead, I listen to those who craved power…

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    Elysian

    Elysian

    “Oh, this fragrance is fabulous,” said Mertok. The Snars were a war-like tribe, and it was not like them to stop and smell the flowers. But Mertok was not an ordinary Snar. “I must remember this plant species for my winter candles. This scent would make the cold winter nights…

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    Cat Eyes

    Cat Eyes

    “Out of sight is out of mind,” snickered the cat. Marvin was the village stray, and he liked to watch the villagers come and go. “I know things. I see what is not meant to be seen, and I remember,” said Marvin. Mr. Coggins passed by the cat’s hidden place.…

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    DragonFolk

    DragonFolk

    “The zorn has picked up the scent. The prey are straight ahead of us,” said Captain Thorfinnr. DragonFolk, once feared by our ancestors, seem to have been forgotten. Thorfinnr and Sigmundr were the best pack hunters in the clan. “Fresh uman will make leader happy, maybe he let us keep…

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    Fungus Among Us

    Fungus Among Us

    “All smiles today, are we?” muttered Mervin. The other shroomies turned their backs on the disgruntled fungus. “Too good to associate with me, I see,” said the mushroom. Mervin didn’t belong here, and he knew it. Nature had played a cruel trick on the shroom when he was a spore.…

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  • Tall Tales

    Tall Tales

    “Hello, children. Captain Rogers of the Northern Mounted Patrol, with today’s story,” the captain said. Rogers and his steed Thunderbolt were well known for their heroic adventures. “Thunderbolt and I were heading up Dead Man’s Pass. When a pack of ravenous wolves attacked,” said the captain. “The situation looked bleak.…

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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.

No AI is used for images or stories.