Featured Tale
The Little Box
They weren’t worth much money, but they were priceless to me. Because they were my dad’s. Those vintage little tie tacks in the shape of guitars, locomotives, dune buggies, anchors, and crosses. Those cufflinks fashioned from Indian-head pennies. The old coins my dad had carried with him since he was…
Latest Tales
The Royal Herald
The Prime Minister stood before King Bartholomew’s throne. “Today I am appointing Lord Barnaby Bragglesworth as Royal Herald,” said the king. “As a lawyer, he is exceptionally qualified to speak on my behalf and deliver proclamations and royal decisions to…
The Royal Ceasefire
King Bartholomew summoned the ambassadors of Ukravia and Ruzkovia to the palace. “Ambassadors, thanks for coming today. I am pleased to hear of the ceasefire between your countries.” The ambassadors looked at each other, then at the king. “Your Majesty,…
The King’s Royalties
King Bartholomew summoned the royal scribes and bookmakers into his palace. They bowed before his throne as he ate his noon meal. He motioned with his hands. “Scribes! Bookmakers! Rise! I have learned you are accepting royalties. Give an account…
The King’s Alchemists
King Bartholomew summoned the Royal Alchemists to the throne room. They bowed before the king. “Alchemists! You have failed to turn lead into gold.” “From this day forward, I declare you shall no longer be alchemists. You are henceforth magicians!”…
Another Path
The waitress tops off my coffee cup; the cup across from me is full. I’m happy. Today is the day. The first time I will see her, in person, face to face. No profile photo or video call could do…
A Small Price to Pay
King Bartholomew’s armies attacked the distant land of Iranizbad. For months, the war dragged on. He assured his subjects that victory was near. Farmers couldn’t afford feed for livestock, or fertilizer for crops. People couldn’t afford food to eat, or…
Open Another Door
Jesus Takes the Wheel
“Hey man, look at this.” Tomas shoves his phone under my nose. A notification says: “Your package is out for delivery. Jesus is your driver.” “Wow,” I say. “So…Jesus takes the wheel?” Tomas chuckles. “Haha, I didn’t think of that,…
The Story Tree
I believe a story grows like a tree. It begins as a seed—a word, a phrase, a question, an idea—planted on a blank page with no promise of what it will become. I water it with words until a sapling…
Wally at Three
Molly feeds the squirrels at the park every day at three. They gather around her bench and scamper after the breadcrumbs she tosses their way. A grey squirrel hops up beside her. “Good afternoon, Wally. How’s my favorite little squirrel…
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