Joy and the Prince of Light : A Short Story

A few years ago, there lived in a cottage, in an English forest, a young woman called Joy.  She was a pretty girl with long black hair and dark smiling eyes.  Joy lived with her grandmother.  She was a wise and understanding old lady with a twinkle in her eye.  Grandma was a widow, and because Joy had lost her parents, she had cared for her since she was a baby.  Although poor, the old lady and her granddaughter lived happily together.  Behind the house they had a garden, a cow called Daisy, ducks, geese and chickens.  They grew vegetables.  Daisy provided milk.  To keep warm in the winter, firewood was collected from the forest.

As Joy was attractive, men called at the cottage; they often asked grandma for Joy's hand in  marriage.  Some of them were ill-tempered and ugly.  Others were polite and handsome.  When they were unpleasant and grandma said no!, Joy was pleased.  When they were nice and grandma said no!, Joy was annoyed.

Peeved, Joy would ask her grandma, "How will I know when it's the right one?, you give none of them a chance."

Smiling, grandma said, "Joy, there is a little bird in your heart.  When the right man comes, the bird in your heart will flutter its wings.  You will blush and feel shy.  You must then stare into the well where we draw water.  Look into its crystal mirror.  If it is true love, your loved one's features will show as a reflection in the water."

Joy thanked her grandmother and remembered what she had been told.  

Joy had lived in the forest all her life.  She had made friends with the animals and birds who lived in the grass, bushes and trees.  She had learned the language of the singing birds, the dainty roe deer and the timid rabbits.  These creatures all loved her.  One day, wandering with her friends, she came across a clearing in the trees.  Although it was daytime, to her surprise, the copse was in darkness.  Joy looked to see if there was a dark cloud overhead, but the sky was clear, and a lark sang down to her.  Joy, followed by her friends, decided to investigate and entered the copse.

Inside the copse, there was only darkness.  Suddenly a piercing beam of white light, as though from a giant torch, startled them.  Nervous, but curious, Joy approached the light.  On the ground, illuminated by a circle of light, was a man.  The figure was about one inch high.  The beam broadened; the midget grew in size until he was over six feet in height.  Joy turned and ran.  She tripped on a tree-stump and fell to the ground.  Too frightened to move, she lay there with her hands covering her eyes.

"Joy, did you hurt yourself when you fell?"  said a soft and soothing  voice.

Peeping through her fingers, Joy saw the smiling face of a young handsome man.  He had deep-blue eyes, a tanned complexion and fair hair.  How did this person know her name?  Joy decided that he must be a wizard.

"There is no need for you to be afraid.  I mean you no harm."

Feeling less frightened, Joy replied, "I'm fine, thank you."

Joy could say no more; she felt shy.  She blushed and a little bird fluttered in her heart.  The stranger sat down beside Joy.  He placed a protective arm around her.

Joy found the courage to whisper, "How do you know my name?"

"Where I come from, we know many things.  I know all about you."

Joy was no longer afraid.  He had  an aura of peace and calm.  Even the roe deer and the other animals, who had run away, returned.  They were no longer scared.

 Joy asked, "What is your name magician?"

"You can call me Michael. I know that you like that name."

Michael was indeed, Joy's favourite name; it was her late father's name.

"I will call you Michael.  I still think that you're a magician  who can read my thoughts.  I vow that when I'm with you, I will stop thinking."

Michael laughed and all the creatures joined in the merriment.

Michael wore blue clothing that matched his eyes.

"Are you a prince who wears such  fine clothes?"

"In my land, every single person is either a prince or a princess.  Shall I be your special prince?"

Joy laughed, "Will I be a princess?"

"You are my princess."

Michael kissed her on the cheek.  Joy was shy again. Grandma had been right.  A little bird fluttered in her heart and  her face was crimson from blushing.  Joy was happy; she had fallen in love with Michael.

Joy felt inquisitive.

"Where is this strange land?"

"My world is all around you.  It's so small it can't be seen by humans."

Two white doves glided from a tree. They joined the group around the lovers.

"Tell us more, Doo, Doo.  Tell us more, Doo, Doo, of this land that people cannot see."

Michael grinned, "My world is called 'The Land of Light'.  It's peopled by 'The Souls of Light'.  We have no bodies, but we're cleverer than the Earth people.  We are all rays of light, and in our world we live forever."

Joy pondered, "Have you a king?"

"We are all equal, but we exist in harmony.  We are ruled by  'The Creator of all Light'.  It is he who has sent me here."

A wild pig, who had been rooting amongst the bushes, snorted his disbelief.

A red squirrel who had listened, while chewing on a nut asked, "Why did this 'Creator of Light' send you? "

Michael helped Joy to her feet.

"For the moment, I will say no more  Come Joy, being human has made me hungry.  Your grandmother, at this moment, bakes scones for tea.  I will take you home now.  I long to meet this good woman."

Joy's friends scuttled, bounded, or flew away.  The happy couple strolled, hand in hand, to the cottage.  Even the wild flowers seemed to nod and bow, as they passed.

Joy whispered, "Did the creator send only you?"

"No, thousands were sent to many countries on Earth.  Are you pleased I came?"

"You know that I am."

Michael kissed her again, but this time even more sweetly and tenderly.

Joy's whole being was full of love.  She longed to be married to Michael.

Reading Joy's thoughts, Michael told her, "All that you desire you shall have, but only for a few brief Earth years.  I must then return to ' The Land of Light'."

Joy was sad.  Was she to lose Michael so soon after their meeting?

"Joy, you have no need to worry.  All will be well; you will be happy with me, I promise you."

Minutes later, they reached the cottage.  As they passed the well, Joy looked in.  Sure enough, the reflection of Michael smiled back at her.

At the cottage, Joy introduced Michael, "Grandma, this is Michael.  We met in the forest.  He is a prince from another land."

The honest woman gave Michael a curtsey.

"I am honoured to meet you.  My granddaughter seems happy."

Michael returned the curtsey with a bow.

"Good lady, I desire your permission to court Joy, and stroll with her in the forest."

Grandma saw the blushing face of her granddaughter and sensed the rapid beating of her heart.  She granted Michael's request and was rewarded with the glow of delight on Joy's face.  Michael took a ring from his pocket and pushed it on Joy's finger.  The ring sparkled and shone, aided by the light shining through the window.

Michael then produced a bag of gold coins.

"Grandma, there are twenty coins here.  One for every year you have cared for Joy.  I am rich and will see to her every need."

Joy expected the proud woman to refuse the gold, but she accepted.  Grandma thanked Michael and hid the gold in a secret place, under the floorboards.

The following months were the happiest Joy had ever known.  In the mornings, she would help around the house, milk Daisy, collect eggs from the hens and help prepare lunch.  In the afternoons, Michael would meet her and accompanied by her animal friends, they strolled and kissed in the forest.

Michael told his loved one many things, which he said must remain a secret.  Joy, being a simple girl, did not fully understand him, but she enjoyed listening to the soft tones of his voice.

Michael explained that the 'Creator of All Light' was worried that humans were destroying their world.  The humans were cutting down trees, poisoning the life in the rivers and seas,  and making powerful weapons that could destroy everything that was green and beautiful.  In the 'Land of Light', the pitiful cries of thousands of innocent children could be heard.  He knew that if mankind destroyed its world it would effect 'The Land of Light', and the 'Souls of Light' would be scattered amongst the stars.  Joy did not understand his mysterious talk. She did know that she loved him, and wanted to marry her unusual lover.

One wonderful day, Michael arrived at the house with sweets and flowers for grandma.  He asked for Joy's hand in marriage.  Grandma consented, and a week later, the lovers were married in a small wooden church at the edge of the forest.  They spent their honeymoon in the copse which was bathed in sunlight every day, even when it rained elsewhere   In the copse, fruit trees grew and a merry-brook provided drinking water of perfect purity.

Some months later, Joy was with child.  She told Michael and her grandmother, the good news, while they took tea together.

A serious Michael said, "We must walk in the forest.  I have things to tell you that are not for the ears of grandma."

In the copse, Michael explained, "I knew that we would have a child.  It is the reason I was sent to you by 'The Creator of All Light'.  Our child will be a boy; he will be both an Earth-Child and a 'Soul of Light'.  Our son will have similar brothers, from different races, throughout the world.  These children will be more intelligent than human children.  They will, in time, be the leaders on this planet.  Their wisdom will save Earth from destruction.  I will stay with you and instruct our son till he reaches manhood.  I must then return to 'The Land of Light'.  Each year, on our son's birthday, you must visit the copse.  There, you will find a bag of gold, so that you will never be hungry."

When the time came, Joy's baby was born.  As predicted he was a boy.  The happy parents called their new-born Ray because he was from 'The Light'.  He grew up to become a clever, handsome man.  He had his father's fair hair and physique and  he had his mothers lovely dark eyes.  The following years were happy ones for the small family.  Even the passing away of the grandmother was not sad.  She had lived a contented life with Michael, Joy, and the boy Ray, who she had adored.

When Ray was eighteen, Michael declared, "It's time I returned to my own dimension.  Iv'e told Ray and he understands.  Tell people that I sailed to my own country, my ship foundered, and I drowned."

Michael's worried wife inquired, "Will I ever be with you again?"

Michael held her close and kissed her for the last time.

"Joy, every person looks forward to their own heaven.  You are for ever my soul-mate, and later you will join me in 'The Land of Light'."

Michael left, and walked to the copse which was again in darkness.  A beam of light shone on him; he became smaller, and smaller, until he was again a ray of light, and could be seen no more.

Joy spent most of her time in the cottage.  She still took walks with her animal friends, who stopped her from being lonely.  Ray became a brilliant scholar who could do difficult sums and write good English  .He became fluent in the languages of other lands.  At the university, the masters were certain that he would become a leader of men.

Every year, on Ray's birthday, Joy visited the copse.  There, as promised, she found a bag of gold.  There was never enough gold to make her rich or so little she would be poor. There was just the correct amount to keep her in comfort.

Joy knew that one day, she would be with Michael as his twin soul in 'The Land of Light'.


Philip's Army is now available in Paperback and Kindle formats.

ASIN: B008R7DD20
ISBN-10: 1479242624
ISBN-13: 978-1479242627


Chapter One The War Council can be read for free here.

The Gentle Pit Bull : A Short Story

Somewhere in England, in a tumble-down shack, Placid was born.  He was a pedigree pit bull, but Placid didn't know that.  His owner was a cruel man called Wayward Jack.  He bred dogs to fight at illegal dog fights, but Placid didn't know that.  If he knew that Wayward Jack wanted him to fight,  he would have been horrified.  Placid was kind, and gentle.  He would not harm any living thing.

Placid grew into a strong and handsome dog.  Wayward Jack was convinced he would win fights and make lots of money for him.  The dreaded day arrived.  Wayward Jack tied a rope round Placid's neck.  He took him out to his ancient land rover.  He drove into the countryside and stopped outside a farmer's barn.  Inside, a group of rowdy men drank beer, flashed money and bawled encouragement at two dogs in mortal combat.  Placid was becoming nervous.  The fight ended with one dog lying exhausted and wounded on the floor.

It was now Placid's turn.

The man in charge shouted, "As usual Wayward Jack has brought a fine looking animal with him.  He will fight Cannonball for a big money prize.  Place your bets lads."

Placid and Cannonball faced each other, in readiness for the contest.  It would have begun, except Placid lay down and refused to fight.  Cannonball rushed towards Placid twice. When his opponent didn't react, he stood there looking confused.

The man in charge was angry, "All bets are off lads.  Wayward Jack take that cowardly mutt out of here."

Placid was dragged outside the barn.  Wayward jack took a stick and was about to hit Placid with it.  His potential victim bared his teeth, barked and threatened to attack his evil owner.  Wayward Jack ran away and Placid made off into, what was for him, an unknown world.

For the next few weeks, Placid enjoyed his new found freedom.  He scavenged for food from hotel dustbins and drank from rain puddles.

Placid's wonderful way of life came to an abrupt end.  While padding along a pavement, a van pulled up beside him.  Two uniformed men came out; they muzzled Placid and locked him in the back of the van.  These men were from the RSPCA.  Someone had phoned them and had said that there was a savage dog running loose in the streets.  These men loved animals and cared for them, but Placid didn't know that.  He was taken to kennels and put in a cage with other pitiful animals.  Some of these dogs were so sad that  they whimpered, cried and howled all night. Placid couldn't sleep for the constant noise.

From time to time, parents brought in their children to choose a pet to take home.  Some of Placid's fellow prisoners, the lucky ones, left the kennels in the arms of an excited child.  As Placid looked so savage, he was never chosen.  The parents had heard tales of pit bulls attacking people.  Three weeks passed and Placid became more and more depressed.  He gave up hope of ever escaping his imprisonment.

One day, a rich lady called Clara Toffeenose visited the rescue centre.  She had recently lost her beloved bull terrier who had died from old age.  Clara was anxious to find a replacement to take home with her.

Spying the dejected Placid, she called out loud, "I'll eat my hat if this dog is not a thoroughbred pit bull."  She asked the keeper if Placid was dangerous.

"Dangerous! no madam,  this 'ere pit bull is gentle and 'e is well behaved.  You can 'ave me word on that."

"I see he has a collar; my eyesight is not so good, what does it say?"

"It says 'is name is Placid, but it don't 'ave an address."

"Very well, how much is he?"

"'e is free madam, but if you wants to, you can put something in our charity box."

Clara rummaged in her handbag, "Here is fifty pounds, is that sufficient?"

"Thank E madam, most generous of you."

Soon, Placid found himself being driven in a Bentley towards the country estate of Clara Toffeenose.

Placid's new life was completely different from before.  He was now being fussed over and mollycoddled.  He had tasty meals and a comfortable doggy's bed to sleep in.  Clara was grooming him for Crufts, but Placid didn't know that.  He became fed up with the constant baths, brushing and nail cutting that he was subjected to.  He once had the indignity of sporting a coloured ribbon.  On the plus side, he had the run of the estate grounds, but he was not allowed to visit the village without being tethered to a long lead.

The day dawned when Clara took Placid as a competitor to Crufts.  Placid was surprised and baffled by the whole affair. The event was held in the town hall.  When Placid arrived, all of the proud and ambitious dog owners were already engaged in last minute improvements to the appearance of their entrants.  All of them were anxious to impress the judges.  The time came for the judging of the bulldog category.  Placid was placed on a box, gazed at, prodded and felt all over by the first judge.  As the second judge approached, Placid, thoroughly annoyed, rebelled.  Jumping off the box,  he caused havoc by blundering through the spectators.  As he ran for the door, Placid knocked a few of them over.

With glee, Placid returned to his previously happy life.  He sniffed at lampposts, rub noses with other dogs and played games with them.  After a wonderful two weeks, the inevitable happened.  He was captured and returned to the kennels.  The attendant phoned Clara Toffeenose and asked her whether she wanted Placid back.

In a hurt voice Clara replied, "Placid made me look a fool in front of all my friends.  He was a disappointment to me.  No! no! no!  I don't want that beastly animal back."

Placid endured a few more weeks of boredom.

Placid's luck changed when two burly men looked at him.

One man said to the other, "He's not the breed we usually work with, but he's a fine looking animal who deserves  a chance.  Anyway, we'll take him and see how he performs under training."

The two men were rich business men. More importantly, they were also members of a canine disaster search team, but Placid didn't know that.

Placid was about to start on the greatest adventure of his life.

Jim and Teddy Dunlop trained dogs to search for people who had been buried after an avalanche or a tsunami.  If Placid was found suitable for the work, he would travel the world, working with firemen and other helpers.  Jim would become Placid's main trainer.  When training was over for the day, he would take his new pupil to his home. His kind and caring wife Mary was good to Placid and made him feel at home.

Jim and Teddy took Placid to the moors for training.  Teddy would hold Placid while Jim went and hid behind boulders and high grasses.  Teddy released Placid, who using his sense of smell, and to a lesser extent his hearing, would try to find Jim.  Placid proved to be outstanding.  He always discovered the hidden Jim quickly.

Jim would pat Placid and say, "Well done Placid, welcome to our team."

A week later, Jim received a phone call.  After quickly donning protective clothing, he rushed Placid to his car.  Not far from them, a building had been demolished by an explosion.  At the disaster zone, Placid rummaged amongst the debris, avoiding the spots still on fire.  He scented his first casaulty and barked twice to alert the firemen.  To his joy, a young man was rescued from where he was buried.  Placid followed this first success by saving two more lives.  Sadly his next discovery, a young girl, didn't survive.  Afterwards, everyone was full of praise for Placid, and a proud Jim took him home where they were warmly welcomed by Mary.

After this first experience of a disaster zone, Placid rescued people in different countries struck by earthquakes or floods.  His biggest test came when a tsunami and earthquake decimated Japan.  Placid joined many other search teams called to the disaster. When no more survivors could be found Jim, Teddy and Placid returned home.

In the years that followed, Placid continued his life-saving work.  He received: thanks, respect and honours from all over the world, but Placid didn't know that.


Philip's Army is now available to purchase on the Amazon Kindle from multiple countries.
Book Number ASIN: B008R7DD20

The Curse of Hecuba : A Short Story

A long time ago, a king and queen lived in a big castle in the mountains.  They were a kind and considerate king and queen who treated their subjects in a nice manner.  At this time there existed, in their kingdom, many witches and wizards.  Many of these were good people who collected  herbs and made medicines to heal the sick.  Some of them were wicked; they cast nasty spells on innocent citizens.  The king hated wicked witches.  He decided to remove the most evil witch from his domain.  Her name was Hecuba.

The king sent soldiers to remove Hecuba.  After searching, they found her in a cave mixing poisons in a pot.

Hecuba screamed and cursed the soldiers, "I will make the king sorry that he has upset me.  Before I leave, by way of revenge, I will place a curse on the queen."

The soldiers told the king and queen about Hecuba's threats.

The king and queen laughed and shouted, "What possible harm can that silly old crone do to us!"

The royal couple were wrong.  When a boy child was born to the queen,  Hecuba's curse was obvious.  Her baby was the ugliest infant in the world.  Prince Igor, that was the name of the child, had a yellow complexion tinged with green, a long nose, saucer-shaped eyes and large ears that flapped down below his neckline.  Prince Igor was broad-built, but short in stature.  The king took one look at his newborn, and full of disgust and shame, vowed never to look at him again.  The queen loved her offspring, but she appointed a nurse to care for Igor in a private room in the castle.  A furious king sent people to find Hecuba; he wanted to burn her at the stake.  She was never found.  Hecuba had the gift of vanishing for short periods of time, making it impossible for anyone to find her.

Time passed, and prince Igor was now a young man.  Aware that he was not wanted in the palace he decided to leave.  One dark night, without announcing his departure, he ventured into the unknown world.  He trudged up winding  mountain trails, travelled through forests and eventually arrived at a pleasant valley.  He discovered a small village, mainly inhabited by farmers and their families.  Igor arrived on market day.

When the people saw Igor, they threw stones and rotten vegetables at him.  They shouted, "Go away you freak of nature! we don't want you here."

Terrified, Igor ran away and seated himself in a green field.  He decided to stay in the village because he knew, that wherever he went in the world, he would receive the same harsh treatment.

The local farmers realised that Igor had one useful attribute.  He had the strength of three strong men.  The farmers set him to work lifting heavy boulders and other similar tasks.  He received no wages, but he had a daily meal, in the fields, with the other farm workers.  None of the villagers offered Igor accommodation.  At night he slept beneath some trees.  He wrapped himself in a sack, in an attempt to stay warm. If it rained at night,  he would be soaking wet in the morning.  If it snowed at night, he would be covered in white snowflakes in the morning. As for frost, Igor shivered at the mere thought.

What depressed Igor, most of all, was that the farmer never thanked him for his hard work.  Exhausted and fed-up, Igor started to cry with loud sobs, "Why am I all alone? Why will nobody, in the whole wide world, be my friend.  Is it because I'm so ugly?"

To Igor's surprise a sweet voice addressed him, "Igor, my name is Petra, and I will be your friend."

Igor thought he had arrived in heaven.  Before him stood a beautiful girl.  She was a natural blond, with deep-blue eyes and a trim figure. The apparition smiled at him.

Igor cried out, " Impossible!  I'm so ugly, I don't deserve a friend.  I'm useless!--useless!--useless!"

Petra, replied, "Nonsense Igor, you are the best worker in the village.  Other men cannot compare themselves with you."

Petra took Igor's hand in hers, "I still want to be your friend and I'll prove it to you, follow me."

Petra took Igor to her father, a farmer.

"Daddy, Igor has nowhere to sleep.  Can he sleep at night in our barn?"

Wanting to please his favourite daughter, the farmer agreed.

To Igor's delight, from that day on, when he was not working, he strolled had in hand, through the countryside with his new friend.  For the first time in his life, Igor had found  happiness.  He also knew that he was deeply in love with his beautiful companion.

There lived in the village, a young man called Alix.  He had asked Petra many times to marry him.

Petra  always replied, " I like you Alix, but I must have time to consider your proposal."

"Petra, why are you always with that monster Igor?"

"Igor is my friend."

"Sweetheart, people are talking about your relationship with Igor.  Will you please stop seeing him?"

"No Alix , I wont."

"You leave me no choice, I withdraw my offer of marriage."

"I would never consider marriage with a man who is unable to care for the unfortunates of this world."

A sad Alix, muttered, "Goodbye Petra."

"Goodbye Alix, I hope you find some nice girl to marry."

A few days later, Igor was ploughing a field.  He noticed Petra, over a fence, in the next field.  She looked stunning in a pretty red dress.  Igor waved and a smiling Petra waved back.  To Igor's horror, he noticed a big black bull, attracted by Petra's red dress, preparing to charge.

Igor shouted, "Run Petra, run as fast as you can."

The frightened girl, instead of running, fainted.  Igor, moving fast, jumped over the fence and confronted the bull as it was about to bore the lifeless girl.  Igor grabbed the bull's horns and with one almighty heave, threw the bull onto its back.  The bull lay there kicking his feet, grunting, bellowing, and feeling sorry for himself.  Igor lifted the unconscious Petra, left the field, and laid her down on a grassy mound.

Petra opened her eyes. She saw a worried Igor looking down at her.  Holding her firmly, Igor helped her to stand up.

Acting on impulse Petra said, " Igor you saved my life. I love you."

Petra kissed Igor on the lips.  At that moment, two field mice scampered past them.  They grew and grew until they turned into two graceful white horses, complete with decorated saddles and reins.  At the same time, to Petra's astonishment,  miraculous things were happening to Igor.  His ears fell off, followed by his nose, then his whole body peeled.  In the same manner as a flower sprouts forth from a seed,  --standing before her, stood a tall, handsome man.  He caressed  Petra, took her in his arms, and kissed her tenderly.

Afterwards, Igor explained, "A wicked witch called Hecuba cast a spell that made me ugly.  Because of your innocence and purity of heart, you have freed me from her diabolical spell.  I have loved you from the day you became my friend."

A happy Petra kissed her now, good-looking Igor.

"Igor, I  love you with all my heart."

"I must tell you that I'm no ordinary man; in fact, I'm a prince.  I must now return to my beloved mother and father, the king and queen.  Are you willing to come with me?  We will marry and  you will become a princess."

The future princess jumped for joy, "Please, please take me with you and I will love you for ever"

The couple mounted the two horses and set off for Prince Igor's castle in the mountains.  They travelled over vast fields, dense forests, and perilous mountain trails.  Eventually they arrived at the castle, and soon they were heralded into the company of the king and queen.

A mystified, but overjoyed queen, called out, "Is it really you Igor?  Your father and I were anxious about you.  And you have a beautiful companion with you."

"Yes mother, this is Petra, she is the one who rescued me from Hecuba's evil spell.  We love each other and wish to be married as soon as possible."

The king announced, "And so you shall my son.  I will arrange your marriage and organise a wedding banquet."  The king kept his promise, and soon Petra became a princess.

After many happy years, the king rested and joined his maker.  Shortly afterwards, the queen joined her husband in paradise. After a solemn year of mourning, Igor and princess Petra were crowned king and queen.  They continued to rule the kingdom in the same ideal manner as the former, well loved, king and queen.

The reader may well ask: what became of the notorious Hecuba?  Her sins found her out.  At the very second that Igor was released from her spell, the curse returned to destroy her.  Hecuba began to wither and scream, wither and scream, wither and scream until she was no more.

Philip's Army is now available in Paperback and Kindle formats.

ASIN: B008R7DD20
ISBN-10: 1479242624
ISBN-13: 978-1479242627


Chapter One The War Council can be read for free here.

The Clockwork Crone : A Short Story

Eve was an old lady, so bowed and bent that her head nearly touched her tummy.  She lived in a cottage situated near hills and a forest.  Eve took small, precise steps like a mechanical wind-up toy.

Rude village boys shouted when they saw her, "Look, here comes 'The Clockwork Krone'."

Eve ignored them and kept to herself.  For company, she had a cat called Nero, who she talked to all the time.

Eve had once been young and beautiful.  She was the village nurse until she grew too old.  Eve had once saved the life of a small boy who was sick. The boy was the son of a rich merchant who was grateful to Eve and gave her a big bag of gold coins. Eve hid the coins under her bed.

One day, Eve walked with Nero in the forest.  They heard the bang, bang, of a gun firing.  Minutes later, a small creature scampered past them.  They heard whimpering coming from a fallen hollow tree trunk. Looking inside they saw a tiny bear cub crying.  Hunters had shot his mummy and now he was all alone.

Eve whispered, "Don't fret my little darling," and stroked the cub's back.

Nero rubbed against the cub in a comforting way. Eve carried the cub home and  gave him lots of cuddles.  The cub enjoyed cuddles, so he was given the name Cuddles.

Using a babies' feeding bottle, Eve fed Cuddles milk.

Eve told the cub, "It's sad that you have lost your mummy.  You have no need to fret; Nero and I will care for you."

Time passed and Cuddles grew into a large brown bear.  He was strong and helped Eve by carrying shopping and lifting heavy things. Cuddles was a gentle giant who would't harm a living thing.  His favourite game was playing ball with Nero.  He also performed a funny bear dance, which made Eve laugh.  Eve was happy with her strange family and she talked to them all the time.

Two bad men were drinking in the village inn.  They had heard the rumour that the Crone kept a bag of gold under her bed; in a drunken state, they made plans to steal the gold.

One man said to the other, "The Crone lives with a cat and a big soft bear, it will be easy to rob them."

"Yes," answered the other robber.

"Tomorrow, when they shop in the village, we'll break the lock on the cottage door, and steal the gold."

On their way home, the two men joined hands and danced in a tipsy manner.

They sang a boastful song, "Tonight, tonight, we haven't a stitch, but thanks to the Crone we'll soon be rich."

The next day, when Eve, Cuddles and Nero walked to the shops, the robbers broke in and stole the gold.

Cuddles forgot to take his ball.

Eve told him, "Fetch your ball Cuddles, Nero and I will wait here till you return."

Cuddles bumped into the robbers as they were leaving the cottage.  Cuddles was angry; picking up a man in each paw, he carried them to Eve.  The gold dropped out at Eve's feet.

Staring angrily at the terrified thieves, Eve scolded them.

"You have had a fright  you won't forget in a hurry.  You can take my punishment, or Cuddles will take you to the sheriff.  You will be thrown in jail for a long time."

The scared thieves, knelt before Eve, and pleaded, "Please don't send us to jail.  We'll take your punishment."

Eve thought for a few minutes, "I will spare you, but you must work for me, for no wages, for a year.  You must do any task I order you to do."

For the next year, Eve made the thieves scrub floors, wash clothes, chop firewood, and any other task she wanted done.  If they were lazy and slacked for a minute, Cuddles scowled at them.  This made them work harder than they had done before.

A secret is difficult to keep in a small village. Soon everyone knew about Cuddles catching the robbers.  Because of Cuddles, no one was brave enough to steal the old lady's gold again. And because of Cuddles, no one had the courage to call Eve 'The Clockwork Crone' again.  And because of Cuddles, Eve never worried again.  She lived happily in the cottage with Cuddles and Nero and talked to them all the time.


Philip's Army is now available in Paperback and Kindle formats.

ASIN: B008R7DD20
ISBN-10: 1479242624
ISBN-13: 978-1479242627


Chapter One The War Council can be read for free here.

Timid the Yellow Mongrel : A Short Story

Hearing his master unlock the front door, Timid crept under the table.

Mary said, "Mummy, Timid is frightened of Daddy."

Mummy replied, "Timid is scared of his own shadow.  If Daddy is in a good mood, Timid won't be nervous."

Daddy sat down at the table, he was in a grumpy mood.  Timid whimpered.

Daddy shouted, "You soppy dog! Your'e under my feet again.  Put him in the garden."

Mary pleaded, "Please Daddy it's raining."

"Do as I tell you, put him out--Now!"

Mary coaxed the trembling dog from his refuge and put him out in the rain.

Timid was a hotch-potch of poodle, spaniel, and other breeds.  He had huge saucer-like eyes, and his colouring was dirty yellow.  Mary found the shivering, pathetic creature in a dogs' home.  And she talked her unwilling mother into buying him.  Mary named the cowering animal: Timid.

Since he was a puppy, Timid had endured beatings, starvation, and a final abandonment.  Mary was the only person to have shown him kindness.

Outside, Timid squelched towards the wire fence.  Mary's neighbours owned a pedigree poodle called Parisian Ranni.  Timid was in love with her; he spent hours admiring her through the fence. Parisian Ranni had medals from Crufts.  She wore a jewelled-collar, and dressed in ribbons tied in bows.  Rani was aware of her lowly admirer, but she chose to ignore him.

Mary was not allowed to take Timid walkie's.

"Bad men steal pretty, young  girls,"  Mummy warned.

She turfed Timid out to face the terrifying world alone.

Bruiser Bulldog would chase Timid, trying to make him fight.  In the village, Rita the Siamese cat lurked, waiting to pounce and scratch Timid's black nose.  Her furry back arched, she would hiss and spit in a most unfriendly way. Cruel boys threw stones at Timid and called him an ugly yellow mutt.

Then one day the poor dog's luck changed.  He said Hullo to Parisian Ranni, who as usual ignored him.  He evaded Bruiser Bulldog by making a detour.  And Rita was too busy drinking milk to notice Timid slink past her gate.

Timid was sniffing a lamp post, when a lady pushing her toddler in a pram, slipped and fell.  She lost her grip; the buggy bumped off the pavement, ran onto the road and overturned.  The toddler bawled and the mother scrambling to her feet, screamed.  A lorry, travelling fast, approached the helpless child.  Without hesitation, Timid dashed to the buggy; with his strong teeth gripped the straps holding the child.  Tugging with all his strength, he pulled the buggy and the baby to the safety of the kerb side.  The lorry's wheels missed the child's head by inches.  A relieved and grateful mother took the baby in her arms and and gave it comfort.

The lorry stopped and its driver appeared.

He patted Timid on his head, "Thanks pooch, you did me a great favour."

He asked the child's mother, "Are you and the little one OK?"

Smiling through tears the woman answered, "My child is safe, thanks to this brave dog."

"This dog deserves a medal," the driver said.

A crowd gathered; everyone fussed over Timid.  School was out; Mary and her mother had witnessed Timid's bravery.  Mary was proud of her brave, yellow dog.

The next day, everyone in the village had heard about Timid's exploits.  Bruiser Bulldog tried to make friends by showing Timid where he had buried a bone.  And Rita, the Siamese cat, ran away when she saw Timid approach.

But best of all, Parisian Ranni spoke to Timid.

"I hear that you've been brave.  It comforts a lady to know there is a brave dog to protect her."

Moving nearer to the fence she whispered, "I am bored, I desire someone to play with.  Will you play with me when my owners are not around?"

Timid nodded his agreement.

A voice shouted, "Ranni, come here at once, you naughty girl."

Quickly Timid and Ranni rubbed noses, and then she was gone.

His tail wagging vigorously, Timid went home.  He curled into a ball and fell asleep.  Timid had a happy dream: he was frolicking with Parisian Ranni in her back garden.


Philip's Army is now available in Paperback and Kindle formats.

ASIN: B008R7DD20
ISBN-10: 1479242624
ISBN-13: 978-1479242627


Chapter One The War Council can be read for free here.

Bouncy the Rubber Ball : A Short Story

Bouncy was a large, red, rubber ball.  He stood in the center of a toy shop window.  Bouncy was the best ball in the shop; he was made of real rubber.  The other balls were only plastic. Children pressed their noses against the window and wished the ball belonged to them.  Bouncy watched them.  He hoped that a happy boy or girl would buy him.

One day he was spotted by a bright faced gypsy boy.

"Mum,"  he shouted to a pretty, dark-haired woman,  "please buy me that red, rubber ball."

The mother kissed her son and said, "Sorry, Sandy, it's a lovely ball but I don't have enough pennies to buy it."  Taking her son's hand she led the sad Sandy away.

What a pity, thought Bouncy, I liked Sandy; I would have enjoyed playing with him.

Later that day,  a fat, grumpy-looking boy, stuffing sweet after sweet into his mouth, made nasty faces at Bouncy.  He was with his mother, a rich lady, whose handbag was full of money.

"Ma, Ma, I want that red, rubber ball.  Buy me it."

"No, Cedric, I won't buy it.  Your nursery is full of balls you don't play with."

Cedric started to cry, and bawled, "You're not fair! I want that ball or I'll cry all day."

Mrs Highnose, which was Cedric's mother's name, sighed.

"Dry your tears darling; we'll buy that rubber ball."

To Bouncy's dismay, Mrs Highnose marched into the shop and bought him.  Bouncy was pushed into a bag and handed to the nasty Cedric.  Mrs Highnose had her car outside and soon Bouncy was being driven to his new home.  Cedric held Bouncy on his lap and all the way home he kept punching him.  I'm glad that I'm made of rubber, thought Bouncy, otherwise Cedric would be hurting me.

Mrs Highnose lived in a big house that stood alone at the top of a steep hill.  It had a garden with a high stone wall.

Arriving home Cedric said, "Ma, Ma, I'm going to play with my ball."

His mother replied, "Very well, Cedric," and she entered the house leaving Bouncy alone with Cedric.

"Let's see you bounce ball," smirked Cedric.  He threw Bouncy with all his strength against the garden wall.  Bouncy hit the wall hard, sprang back and bounced as far as he could away from his tormentor.  Cedric, being fat and lazy, hated walking far to collect his ball.

"I hate you, ball! You bounce too far."  Again he threw Bouncy against the wall.  This time Bouncy made sure he travelled a greater distance.  This made Cedric angry.  From his pocket he produced a knife.

"I'll soon take the bounce out of you, ball," muttered Cedric.  He threw Bouncy up in the air, and as he fell, tried to pierce him with his knife.  The fat boy moved too slowly and he missed.  He tried once more and this time scratched Bouncy.

"Got you!" grinned Cedric.  He chucked the worried ball, once more, in the air.  His unwilling victim swerved, avoided the blade and rolled under a bush to hide.  The cruel boy soon found him.

"Ha, Ha, this time I'll cut you in half."  For the third time Bouncy was in the air.  The evil Cedric waited with his knife below.  Bouncy had to escape or be destroyed.  Luck was with him.  A breeze blew him towards the garden wall.  Bouncy, with one high leap, soared over the wall to freedom.  Bouncy bumped, bounced and rolled down to the foot of the hill, where he splashed into a dirty puddle.  Cedric was too lazy to look for his ball; he went into the house and said nothing to his mother; that he had lost his expensive new ball.

The pretty gypsy lady and Sandy were walking home past the bottom of the hill.  Sandy noticed Bouncy floating in the muddy pool and picked him up.

"Look Mum! I've found a ball like the one we saw in the shop window; it's dirty and scratched, otherwise it is the same.  Please, Mum, can I keep it?"

"It's rolled from that big house, Sandy.  We'll ask them if they've lost it and if they haven't, you can keep it."

A downcast Sandy asked, "Mum, do we have to ask them?"

"Sandy, I don't take what belongs to others.  We'll climb the hill and ask."

Mrs Highnose had few friends and she hated gypsies.  When she saw Sandy and his Mum, she spoke sharply:

"I don't want my fortune told and I don't give money to gypsies."

Sandy's mother smiled; she was used to rude people.

"My boy found this ball, bottom of the hill.  Thought perhaps one of your young 'uns lost it."

Mrs Highnose peered down her nose at Bouncy.  "What makes you think a child of mine would own such a disgusting, scratched, ball?  It's not ours! Away with you!"  She then shut the door in a bad-tempered way.

Sandy's mum was not upset, she smiled at her son and said, "It looks like the ball's yours Sandy."

"Whoopee!" shouted Sandy.  He threw the ball at his Mum and said, "Come on, catch."

Running, laughing and skipping, they played a merry game of catch all the way to their caravan home.  Bouncy was happy and content.  He had escaped from Cedric and he looked forward to having lots of fun with his new friend Sandy.


Philip's Army is now available in Paperback and Kindle formats.

ASIN: B008R7DD20
ISBN-10: 1479242624
ISBN-13: 978-1479242627


Chapter One The War Council can be read for free here.