Showing results by publisher "Spoken Realms" in Anthologies

"Abolish Language," said the vizier, "And man will return to primal simplicity and happiness."

Two old friends meet for a visit. The remembrances of Woodifield caused the “Boss” to come face-to-face with the death of his son in the war. Once alone the idle observance of a fly gives all of us many things to consider.

Mark Twain takes his humor to the graveyard in this memorable short story. Twain carries on a conversation with a skeleton that has been neglected in the cemetery. While we aren't told what a smiling skeleton looks like, Twain is clear it's not a pleasant view. None of us want to be forgotten and this story helps the hearer understand that even in death we do not want to be neglected.

Who ever heard of a plain and downright homely heroine? Isn't a heroine by definition beautiful? Well, Edna Ferber, in her well known style that later produced Show Boat and Giant, tells us about just such a heroine in this special short story. It is special to me because of her insight into the deep courage and faith of 'ordinary' people, people like most of us. And of course our failings and frailties and sometimes, the prince does not marry the right person. Yep.

Humorist Mark Twain demonstrates in the form of a short story fable how many individuals can come away from a story with different ideas regarding what a story was about. You might just see yourself in this delightful tale.

Consider this a fun instructional course on the difference between a comedic story and a humorous one. Mark Twain masterfully shows the difference and gives an example of humorous storytelling in this short story setting. Narrated by Glenn Hascall.

A Margery story. The storyteller interacts with a very young niece. No matter how he thinks to convince Margery that he needed a nap she refuses to follow. If you’ve ever had a child who asks lots of questions and dreams up new ways to command your attention you will identify with the trials of the storyteller. A short story from the mind of Winnie the Pooh creator A.A. Milne.

A good horse has an amazing effect on a rider – even if the rider knows nothing of horses. Our storyteller would make up whatever he needed to in order to keep the horse. He even kept his military mustache if it meant he could continue a companionship with Toby. Filled with a patchwork of humor from the mind of A.A. Milne, the author of Winnie the Pooh.

A Margery story. The storyteller interacts with his niece who is just learning to speak. For his own benefit he is quick to interpret the word Gorkey - which apparently has more than one meaning. Relatable humor in this delightful shot story from the mind of Winnie the Pooh creator A.A. Milne.

When you find yourself in the company of one who knows very little, but thinks they are an expert you may be comfortable with the storyteller in this delightful short tale from A.A. Milne, the author of Winnie the Pooh. In this tale, the storyteller fancies himself an expert gardener. You may leave with other opinions. Narrated by Glenn Hascall.

This is the story of Chum, a dog of incredible mischief and personality. Trying to find a new home for Chum is the prime objective of this tale. Is the storyteller the gardener, a son, or perhaps a neighbor? While we may never know it would seem he had more in common with the hapless dog, Chum, than we may suspect at first. A delightful short story from Winnie the Pooh author, A. A. Milne.

Rudyard Kipling's classic tale (first published in The Jungle Book, and considered by many to be the best of those stories) details the fearless exploits of Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, a young mongoose whom misadventure had fortuitously brought to live at the bungalow of an expatriate British family in India. Rikki Tikki through great presence of mind, fortitude, and simply by being a mongoose saves the family from the murderous intent of two cobras.

In an age of health reform it is still common for some to resist visiting a doctor. Follow this fun story from Winnie the Pooh creator A.A. Milne as a man visits the doctor and is as nervous as a cat on his last life. From his answers to actions this patient is as misunderstood as he was annoying to the doctor. This is a humorous short story through and through and delightfully relatable.

Before there was 'mall watching' there was Nathaniel Hawthorne. Watching a poor apple seller at the local railroad allows the author to share how he became connected to the old man and what he learned from him. There is no indication that the author actually spoke to the man, but you may just leave empathizing with a man observed.

"Geoffrey's Panklaggephone" is the equivalent of a sponge – for sound. This short story from humorist Ellis Parker Butler demonstrates that even the best inventions will have their quirks. Sometimes those quirks can make the invention useful in an application no one suspected.

Who determines what stops the presses? Enter the world of Mark Twain who was handed an item from an emotional man late one night. The presses were stopped, the item run, and Twain was in trouble with his editor. Enjoy the humor as Twain tries to understand the importance of "Mr. Bloke’s Item".

First published in 1913, "Fishhead" by Irwin S. Cobb takes place at real Reelfoot Lake, the largest lake south of the Ohio line mostly in Tennessee but extending up across what is now the Kentucky line. The protagonist, Fishhead, a halfbreed lives alone by his choice and by the choice of his neighbors because of his deformity that causes his head to resemble a fish. This story was written in 1913, and the narrators chosen to leave the N-word in as part of the narration, so please be aware. This is another nery creepy story, that no doubt influenced H.P. Lovecraft.

Mike Murphy sat in the Governor's office seeking a pardon for his son. Murphy knew that if the Governor remembered who he was there wouldn’t be a chance of success. The Governor did remember Murphy, and the bullying he received at the hands of his much younger self. He also remembered how the struggle they had as boys helped him become the man who governed a state.

We’ve all had experiences with home remedies for the common cold. Mark Twain takes us on a journey through the remedies he experienced, the places he went, and what he learned in this classic short story.

This is a story for any man that has ever visited a barber. For all the good they do, there has likely been at least one misguided barber who resembles the man who gives Mark Twain's head a workout. From the descriptions of the shop to the tactics of those who use a barber, this story will be something you can relate to, smile at, and reintroduces memories of a barber shop that never changes.