Appa grew up in a little boat town in Kerala called Alleppey (pronounced al-ah-pee). He stayed on a little rice paddy farm and bought the essentials 6 months in advance from the boatmen who passed by. “When I was young,”… Continue Reading
Once upon a time there was a village storyteller and the village depended on her to tell a story a day. A day didn’t start right without the storyteller’s story, so when the storyteller was ill, the villagers would bring… Continue Reading
“Old father, will you tell us a story?” The hall hushed; women settled their children, men settled their drinks. The old man cleared his throat. “I suppose…” he began. Despite his feigned reluctance, he enjoyed these nights, rare moments of… Continue Reading
Stars emerged beyond darkening skies over the Shenandoah forest. Though we’d just arrived at the campsite, Alex and Kevin insisted we build a fire straightaways. Fire assuaged ancient fears of tooth and claw buried in the lizard-brain and their grandfather’s… Continue Reading
My breath fogged the window as we passed Ogden Street. There was no First Street, but after the overpass, there’d be a Second and a Third. I’d ridden this loop many times over the years. It usually bore fruit. The… Continue Reading
“Hear me, oh muse,” the teller began. “Oh for crud’s sake, Ishmael, get on with it!” cried a voice from those huddled near the hearth. “When April showers–” “Does it have any action in it?” “I’m bored! Let’s go watch… Continue Reading