Short Story
Animals Doing Freelancing Work.
In the bustling forest of Freelancia, animals had discovered the wonders of freelancing. Each critter had a unique talent, and together they formed a vibrant community of independent contractors. Benny the Beaver was a master carpenter. He crafted homes for his fellow animals, working from his riverbank office. One day, he received an urgent request from Daisy the Deer, who needed a treehouse for her fawns. Benny, ever the professional, quoted her a price in acorns and got to work. Meanwhile, Polly the Parrot was the forest's top graphic designer. She had a knack for creating eye-catching flyers and logos. Her latest client, Freddy the Fox, needed a rebrand for his foraging business. Polly's slogan, "Fabulous Finds by Freddy," became an instant hit. Freddy paid her in berries, which Polly happily accepted. In another part of Freelancia, Larry the Llama was the go-to content writer. He had a way with words that captivated every animal's attention. When Gary the Goat needed a catchy campaign for his new line of organic, grass-fed milk, Larry penned the perfect pitch. His payment? A month's supply of fresh hay. Over in the tech sector, Wally the Walrus was the resident web developer. He had just finished building a sleek new website for Timmy the Tortoise's travel blog. Timmy, slow but steady, wanted to share his adventures with the world. In return, Wally enjoyed a relaxing week at Timmy's serene pondside retreat. Of course, no freelancing story would be complete without some drama. The forest's social media manager, Mandy the Monkey, had a minor meltdown when her latest campaign for Ollie the Owl's night tours received mixed reviews. Her hashtag 'Hoot And Scoot' didn't take off as expected. But with some encouragement and a bunch of bananas from her friends, she quickly bounced back. Despite their occasional hiccups, the animals of Freelancia thrived in their freelancing endeavors. They supported each other, bartered their skills, and created a community where everyone could succeed. And so, they lived happily ever after, freelancing their way through the wild world of work.
By Sindhukumar Lokhande 2 years ago in Fiction
The Appalachian Revival
Emerald hills lay stair-stepped in the shadows of majestic mountains splotched with brownstone outcroppings. Molly stumbled down the two-mile-long rutted road at the center stage of the natural Appalachian amphitheater. Her new twenty-dollar tennis shoes blistered her heels and sweat beaded on the nape of her neck. I hope the woman's deodorant ads were accurate, she thought, or my body odor won't be a secret for long.
By J. S. Wade2 years ago in Fiction
The Longest Day
The sun clung desperately to the horizon, almost as if it knew it may never rise again. Alana stared forward as she walked on unsteady feet. The Voidshield, a thick tome, weighed heavy in her hands but not as heavy as the guilt she carried on her shoulders.
By Bradley Ramsey2 years ago in Fiction
A Solstice Crown
Even though my life was crumbling around me, for whatever reason all I could think about was my Gran and her stories. She always had a way with words, knowing precisely what to say to get a child's imagination turning. She had often told me the story of how she and my grandfather met. It was during the Saint Jonas's festival, a tradition on the summer solstice in which the young women would sing songs and dance, with the end of the festival being marked by putting their handmade, flower crowns into the river. Your crown floated down the river, and the young man that caught it was supposed to be your true love. Gran had difficulties getting hers to cooperate, though. Every time she placed it, it would only float a few meters. That was until it came to my grandfather's feet. He helped her by throwing it into the middle of the river. But the crown had already found its mark, and true love bloomed between the two.
By Viktor Žaltys2 years ago in Fiction
A Celebration in Cosgrove
In a dusty town square nestled among the western mountains of the former Divided States of America, a low table is set and spread with a meal larger than any of the assembled locals have ever seen. A sacrifice is being made and a child approaches the platters of rat filet with wild leeks, stunted corn dripping with dog butter, and grainy porridge swimming with berries. As the child sits at the small chair, a nearby elder grips a carving knife in anticipation.
By J. Otis Haas2 years ago in Fiction
Fear
Title: Conquering the Shadows Once upon a time, in a small village nestled at the foot of a towering mountain, lived a young girl named Maya. Maya was known for her vibrant personality and infectious laughter. However, she had a secret that she hid from the world – she was plagued by a deep fear of the dark. Every night, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Maya's heart would race, and she would find herself consumed by anxiety. The shadows that danced across her room seemed monstrous and threatening. The creaking of the old wooden floors echoed in her ears like menacing whispers. Her fear was so strong that she would often stay awake, clutching her blanket tightly, seeking solace in the dim glow of her nightlight. But no matter how hard she tried, the fear remained, casting a dark cloud over her nights. One day, Maya's wise grandmother noticed the worry etched on her face. With a gentle smile, she took Maya's hand and said, "My dear, fear is a companion we all face at some point in our lives. It has the power to weaken us, but it also holds the key to our greatest strength." Intrigued by her grandmother's words, Maya asked, "But how do I overcome this fear? It feels so overwhelming." Her grandmother nodded and replied, "Just as shadows cannot exist without light, fear cannot exist without courage. You must be willing to face your fear, step into the unknown, and discover the strength that lies within you." With newfound determination, Maya decided it was time to conquer her fear. That night, she turned off her nightlight and embraced the darkness that enveloped her room. At first, her heart raced, and every sound seemed amplified. But she reminded herself of her grandmother's words and pushed forward. With each passing night, Maya grew bolder. She would venture into the darkest corners of her room, lighting candles to dispel the shadows. She found solace in the softness of moonlight filtering through her window, realizing that the darkness held a soothing beauty of its own. As Maya's fear slowly dissipated, she noticed a change within herself. She became more confident, her laughter echoed through the village without hesitation. People admired her for her bravery and resilience, unaware of the battles she had fought within her own heart. Years passed, and Maya stood on top of the same towering mountain that overlooked her village. She marveled at the breathtaking view of the world below, a world that she had learned to navigate, not despite her fear, but because of it. Maya understood that fear was not her enemy, but rather a catalyst for growth. It taught her the power of resilience, the importance of pushing beyond comfort zones, and the beauty of embracing the unknown. From that day forward, Maya dedicated herself to helping others conquer their fears. She would hold their hands firmly and whisper, "Fear is only temporary, but the strength you find within yourself lasts a lifetime." And so, Maya became known as the guardian of courage, inspiring countless hearts to step out of the shadows and into the light of their true potential.
By Hope Lucky2 years ago in Fiction
Summer Solstice
In the medieval town of Salisbury, a revival of an ancient solstice ritual has unveiled an unexpected power. As the townspeople gathered around the daunting pillars of Stonehenge, a palpable energy coursed through the air; the ancient stones hummed with a low, resonant vibration. Amidst the gathering, a young girl named Lucy stood with her parents, discerning a strange sense of belonging she couldn't quite explain. She had persuaded her parents to take her to Stonehenge for the summer solstice as it was the only time the rocks could be touched.
By Oliver Millward2 years ago in Fiction
Bonfires and Herbs. Top Story - July 2024.
There was a betrayer in our midst. We had no way of knowing, for they kept their evil deeds cloaked in deception. Our little village of Hampshire was taken entirely by surprise when they committed their traitorous acts. We had no thoughts to predict that at the time of our celebrating the Sun's ascension to the highest point in the Northern Sky, they would strike with a most diabolical blow. A blow that has undoubtedly left a mark burned deep into the pure white light of our hearts.
By The Invisible Writer2 years ago in Fiction
A Mid-Summer's Nightmare
The solstice was coming, and the fire was raging. The heat was great, and the old ways were coming back. For so many years, we had not celebrated the great summer solstice. The destruction of traditional beliefs has finally ended. The bond fires were packed as the night continued. Each burning with the ferocity of the night. The heat on such a hot day still was welcome on the mid-summer's night. Such a night was special. The night was lit up by the other families. All the fires made the night glow. It is only once a year, and the sun will show its longest time. Each hour was built up to the day. The whole family was preparing for this day.
By Sarah Danaher2 years ago in Fiction
Solitude of the Cabin in the Woods
Chapter 1: The Journey to Solitude Dave had always dreamt of escaping the chaos of city life. The constant noise, the pollution, the rush—it had all taken a toll on his mind and body. When the opportunity arose to spend a year in a remote mountain cabin, he seized it without hesitation. Leaving behind his job as an executive, he packed his essentials and set off on a journey to solitude.
By Dave Karpinsky, PhD, MBA2 years ago in Fiction
A Day Like Any Other, Unironically. Content Warning.
Wake up an hour before the alarm is set to go off. I should go outside and clean up all the dropped arms and legs and viscera from last night's attack, but I can't be bothered. I close my eyes for a second, and then the alarm goes off, right on schedule. Oh well. Time flies when you're having fun, right? Then again, I don't know if anyone calls sleep "fun."
By Jason Edwards2 years ago in Fiction
