“Please be our princess!” Torqual knelt before Miri with a glittering silver tiara, surrounded by fantastical woodland creatures who watched her expectantly. “I…” Miri bit her lip. “Yes?” Torqual’s sapphire eyes pierced hers. “I…can’t.” A sigh echoed around Miri as the elf lowered the crown. “Not ready yet?” Miri …
“Promise you won’t tell?” “Tell what?” “Tell…you know…” “Oh, that you have a dragon hiding in your closet? Who would I tell that to?” “Quit fooling, Joash. You know who—the nuns.” “Ah. The nuns, you say. You mean the nuns who are running this outfit? The nuns who would probably skin you alive if they …
There were two birthday presents left on the kitchen table. They were both rectangular and wrapped in the same glittery black paper. Beside me, Theodore grabbed the larger one and examined the card. “Yes! This one’s mine!” my twin crowed, struggling to undo the silver ribbon. I sighed. Black wrapping paper usually indicates a magical …
Long ago, in a tiny German village, there lived two children named Amalie and Piper. Piper had another name once, but his uncanny musical talent led people to call him ‘Piper’ so often that they forgot it. One day, two boys found Amalie and Piper as they played under an apricot tree. “Hey Piper, …
I stood at the cave entrance, frowning at the gray morning sky. Winter was coming, and I wasn’t sure if we’d make it this year. With a sigh, I re-entered the cave. Xanthe was waiting for me. Her scales, usually the color of molten gold, had lost their luster lately. When she saw me, …
Once upon a time, there lived a Great Craftsman in a small cottage. He was such a great craftsman, in fact, that the animals and figures that he created out of clay would shake themselves, open their eyes, and fly, or run, or swim off into the forest beyond the cottage. The craftsman had a …
The old writer sat up in bed, surrounded by his loved ones. They were trying not to cry, even as silent tears streamed down every cheek, but he was smiling calmly. “Don’t be sad,” he said. “I am only going where everyone is headed, sooner or later. And I have had an extra lease on …
All his life, Todd had been taught not to cry. “Be a man!” His father urged. “Real men don’t cry.” He insisted upon it when Todd’s mother died. When they lost their house to bankruptcy. When Todd’s sister ran off with a no-good lowlife who abused and used her, then left her scrambling somewhere on …
“Marianna! Come and help me deliver this casserole to Grandma Smithers,” Marianna’s mother called from downstairs. “She is still recovering from a broken hip and it’s not convenient for her to get around. I promised to send her a casserole for dinner tonight, but I have a few more chores to finish up here, and …
The Bread Man walked among the animals of the forest, enjoying the fresh air and sunlight. Just then, he saw a rabbit, leaning against a tree. “What’s wrong, Rabbit?” The Bread Man asked. “I have been hunting for berries and nuts to eat, but this time of year, there aren’t enough,” Rabbit said. “And I …
