Twisted Tales to Delight and Amaze

  • 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…

    Continue reading →: Withering Wick
  • ,

    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.…

    Continue reading →: Autumn’s Home
  • , ,

    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…

    Continue reading →: Family Feud
  • 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…

    Continue reading →: Just Wait Until Halloween
  • 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?…

    Continue reading →: Retribution
  • 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…

    Continue reading →: What Price of a Crown
  • ,

    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…

    Continue reading →: Elysian
  • ,

    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.…

    Continue reading →: Cat Eyes
  • , ,

    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…

    Continue reading →: DragonFolk
  • ,

    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.…

    Continue reading →: Fungus Among Us
  • 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.…

    Continue reading →: Tall Tales
  • , ,

    The Good Life

    The Good Life

    “This ale is mighty tasty,” said Finnegan. The gnome lived in the forest hollow and had no plans to move any time soon. “Home is where you hang your hat, and mine is right here,” said Finnegan. Brewing, baking, and sleeping were the three things the gnome loved to do.…

    Continue reading →: The Good Life
  • ,

    Hidden Dangers

    Hidden Dangers

    “We’ll be through soon, Nunu,” said the mother as she made her way through the forest. Nosh had known better than to take the forest path so late in the day. As the sun set low in the sky, the travelers were surrounded by long shadows. “Hush, eat your betel…

    Continue reading →: Hidden Dangers
  • Road to Hell

    Road to Hell

    “I meant to donate to Save the Goblins. I got busy and it slipped my mind,” said Frank P. Rind, the newest resident of Hell. Frank had been a loyal employee, husband, and father. Ask anyone, and they will tell you Frank was a great guy. “I was planning on…

    Continue reading →: Road to Hell
  • Grandfather Mountain

    Grandfather Mountain

    “Do you understand what is happening to your people. They suffer because you won’t help them. Why Grandfather?” asked Teava. The mountain shook in fury. Teava dodged boulders that tumbled down the slope. “Why are you behaving this way to your children. We’ve honored you and the old ones’ teachings,”…

    Continue reading →: Grandfather Mountain
  • Cat Tails

    Cat Tails

    “The great cat slunk into the castle, and she crept upon the sleeping figure. Raised her enormous paw and swung,” said Tilly. The cats’ mouths dropped open as they waited to hear what happened next. “All right, you lot, time for bed. Tomorrow we have much work to do and…

    Continue reading →: Cat Tails
  • , ,

    The Horned One

    The Horned One

    “Sedgewick, did you hear that shuffling?” asked Harcore. The woodsman’s friend did not answer. “Hello, is there anyone out there?” said Harcore. The wood was silent except for the occasional snap of a twig. Harcore Muller lived in a small German village near the Great Black Forest. Each morning before…

    Continue reading →: The Horned One
  • ,

    Fresh Air

    Fresh Air

    “That should do it. Those nasty aphids won’t bother you anymore,” said Wilford as he smoothed the plant’s leaves. Raised by Lord Sumpton’s gardener after losing his parents. Wilford couldn’t remember a time when he wasn’t surrounded by greenery. “Hello, my pretty. Time for a pruning,” Wilford said. The gardener…

    Continue reading →: Fresh Air
  • A Giant Sleeps Below

    “So tired, Balamore, I need to rest,” said the giant as they moved across the land. “It won’t be long now, my friend, but we must hurry before the sun rises,” the wizard said. Two thousand years ago, Titans walked the earth. During this time, a wizard befriended a giant.…

    Continue reading →: A Giant Sleeps Below
  • A Bird Walks In

    A Bird Walks In

    “Hello there, little bird. What brings you to the park today?” the man asked. “I have come for your soul,” replied the bird. “Excuse me,” the man replies. “I said I’ve come for your soul,” said the bird. “I must be dreaming. Birds can’t talk. I fell asleep while enjoying…

    Continue reading →: A Bird Walks In

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.