This is a collection of short stories the author has written over the past five years or so. Some are pure fiction while others are largely based on fact. Some are pure fun while others include some things you may want to ponder. The first four appeal to children. The next five appeal to adults, and the last three are suitable for both. Most are humorous. We think you’ll enjoy them.
“Pushing Back the Darkness” is an unfinished story by design which introduces the reader to QuillPen the Porcupine, the character that inspired the author's pen name. “A Tall Tale: How Canada Got Its Name” is just that – a tall tale! “Why There Are No Peanut-Butter-and-Jelly Fish” is a nice clean story for younger children that may get their imagination working a little. “The Giant Butter Bump That Melted New Your City” is a children’s story that points to how we can work together to overcome the darkness that threatens to overtake our world. Interesting true stories include “Mom Duck and the Black Snake” and “How I Spent My Mid-Week Mini-Vacation.” “Larry Boy’s Birthday Cake” and “Keeping It Light: What Makes Marriage Work?” use humor to convey a perspective that helps adults cope with some of life’s challenges. “The Author” is a more serious piece that encourages us not to bail out but to stay in the race when things get tough. “Heckler and Jeckler: A Crow’s Tale” was inspired by events around a hotel pool during a family vacation the author took several years ago. “How Poor Will Was Used to Make the Townsfolk Rich” gives the reader a hopeful perspective when confronted with difficult challenges and shows how creativity can be used to turn things around for oneself and others. To round off the dozen, the author included “Polytics,” a short story that inspired his book, The Amazing Adventures of Poly, the Amazon Parrot.
