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Wednesday 1 May 2024
A Love Story (sort of)
Thursday 10 August 2023
Wibble Wobbling
Wibbert was once a lonesome wibble wobbling at his own
frequency, until one day he met Wibbella by the lakeside. Their wobbles matched
instantly, creating a resonance that spread joy throughout Whimsyville. Even
the elderly wibbles, who had seen countless seasons of wobbling, were
impressed. "I've
never seen such synchronised wobbling," said old Mrs. Wibbleworth.
"It's a wobble made in heaven!"
Whimsyville's annual Wobblefest was approaching. It was an
event where all the wibbles showcased their unique wobbling styles. The
highlight of the festival was the “Duo Wobble-off”. Pairs of wibbles would
wobble together, and the most synchronised pair would win the coveted “Golden
Wobble Trophy”. No one doubted that Wibbella and Wibbert would take the prize.
When Wibbella and Wibbert took the stage, a hush fell over
the crowd. Their wobbling was so mesmerising, it felt like they were one
wobble, moving with a singular purpose. The decision was indeed unanimous, and
they wobbled off into the sunset together with the grand prize.
The legend of their wobbling spread far and wide, attracting wibbles from faraway villages. They all wanted to witness and perhaps learn the secret behind the perfect wobble. But the truth was simple - it was love. Wibble wobbling that came straight from the heart.
The Magical Glasses
Eight-year-old Emma lived in a century-old house with creaky stairs that led to an attic room filled with mysteries. One Saturday, while rummaging for hidden treasure in the attic, she stumbled upon a dusty old box with a tiny silver key poking out of a lock. Emma turned the key and opened the lid to discover inside a pair of old-fashioned glasses with ornate frames and sparkling lenses.
Putting them on, expecting everything to be blurry, Emma was taken aback. The attic transformed! Instead of old furniture and boxes, she saw a bustling little market with creatures she'd only read about in fairy tales. Goblins haggled with pixies over shiny trinkets, and a friendly-looking troll waved at her from a stall selling tiny potions.
Taking a deep breath and clutching the glasses, she ventured into this magical market. Everywhere she turned, there were wonders. A miniature griffin was giving rides around the attic, and will-o'-the-wisps led teeny elves to stalls on top of shop roofs.
At a particular stall with a sign reading "Mystic Tomes," an elderly gnome named Grizzlebeard looked up and smiled. "You must be Emma," he said. "We've been waiting for you."
Emma was surprised. "Waiting for me? How do you know my name?"
Grizzlebeard chuckled, "The glasses you wear belonged to your great-great-grandmother, Elara. She was a guardian of the magical realms. It seems the glasses have chosen you to take her place."
Emma learned that her role was to ensure the balance between the magical and the mechanical worlds. Occasionally, magical items or creatures would stray into her world, and it would be her job to return them.
She spent the day learning about magic, making new friends, and promising to visit again. As evening approached, Emma removed the glasses and found herself back in the old attic.
Descending the creaky steps, Emma decided to keep the glasses a secret for now. But every weekend, she would visit the magical attic, embarking on new adventures and ensuring the balance between the mechanical world and the magical one.
Nadia
Every evening, as the sun set behind the mountains, it would be time for the Lebanese goats to head to bed. Layla would sit on the stone fence, her silhouette framed by the setting sun, and play her reed flute. The notes, soft and melodic, would waft across the meadows, signalling to the goats that it was bedtime. The goats would stop whatever they were doing and skip into line, their bells jingling melodiously, echoing the notes from Layla’s flute.
Farmer Karim, with his weathered face and hands that told
tales of decades of hard work, would stand at the entrance of the barn, holding
a lantern that spread a soft glow. He counted each goat as they entered,
patting some, murmuring soft words to others, ensuring that each one was safe
and sound. Inside the barn, the goats had their own spaces. Fresh hay was
spread out for them, and a breeze flowed through, carrying with it the earthy
scent of the surrounding olive groves.
There was, however, one particular goat named Nadia, who
always took her time. She would wait until all the other goats were inside, and
then, with a mischievous glint in her eyes, she would dance around Layla.
Eventually, though, with a combination of Layla’s coaxing and Nadia’s own volition,
Nadia would trot into the barn, but not before giving Layla a gentle nudge with
her head.
With all the goats settled in, Layla would join her
grandfather, and together they would seal the barn doors. Holding the lantern
high, Farmer Karim would share stories of his youth, of goats he had known, of
the beauty and challenges of life in the village. Layla would listen,
enchanted, as the stars above twinkled.
Sunday 26 March 2023
Vanishing Town
K-357
Saturday 25 March 2023
Robo Repairs
The robot had been discarded, thrown away like a piece of trash. It had once been a proud worker, serving its human masters with efficiency and dedication. But now, it lay amidst the garbage, its circuits damaged and its parts broken.
At first, the robot felt lost and alone. It had never known
life outside of its programming, and it wasn't sure what to do now that it was
no longer needed. But as it lay there, it began to think. What if it could
reinvent itself, and become something more than just a discarded machine?
The robot's sensors began to pick up on the sounds and
activities around it. For days, the robot scavenged through the trash, searching
for parts and materials that it could use to repair itself. The process was slow
and difficult, but eventually it was functioning as good as new.
The robot surveyed the garbage heap, searching for anything
else that might be of use, and found a discarded toy, a small plastic dinosaur
with a broken leg. The robot picked it up and examined it carefully, scanning
the toy's damaged electronics. As it held the toy in its hands it realized
something: the robot could fix the toy like it had done for itself, using thrown
away materials.
And so, the robot set out into the world, searching for
broken toys and machines that it could give new life. It had become a robot
that could repair anything, no matter how broken or damaged. The robot had
found its purpose.
Friday 24 March 2023
The Existential Bank Robber
The bank robber had planned everything meticulously. He had studied the bank's security system, timed the guards' movements, and knew the layout of the vault inside out. He was confident that he could execute the robbery without a hitch.
But as he stood there, holding his gun, facing the terrified
bank employees, something inside him shifted. He began to question everything –
Why was he doing this? What was the point of it all? Was robbing banks just
another way of distracting him from his real existential problems?
He looked around the bank, taking in the fear and panic on
the faces of the employees. He could see the tellers trembling as they handed
over the money. He could hear the sobs of people who had collapsed in fear.
Suddenly, the gun in his hand felt heavy and pointless. He
felt like he was suffocating in the midst of all this chaos. He couldn't do it
anymore.
Without saying a word, he lowered his gun and walked out of
the bank, while rigorously introspecting upon Sisyphus, Plato, and the meaning
of existence.
Sunday 12 March 2023
The Mushroom Monsters
Wednesday 8 March 2023
Floor 49 (Excerpt)
Monday 6 March 2023
All the World’s a Stage
Visitor on the Ward
The Woman in a Cloak
Sunday 5 March 2023
The Car that Hunts Humans
Friday 3 March 2023
Luna’s Love
Sunday 26 February 2023
The Robot
Friday 24 February 2023
Woofeo and Julipet
Monday 13 February 2023
Squirrels in the Big Oak Tree
Wednesday 17 February 2021
A Different Story (Gandalf the Great)
What would have happened if Gandalf had accepted Frodo’s offer of the One Ring?
Gandalf freezes, the shadow of the ring draws his hand nearer; and as the fire skips a beat, the ring falls into Gandalf’s pocket. “I shall keep the ring safe and unused. However if there is just cause to use it, I shall become the guarantor of peace,” announces Gandalf solemnly.
As night draws in, Gandalf looks back over the hills at the tiny flickering lights of the Shire. The wizard whispers to himself: “There is much to do. Much to do.” He notices the weight of his robes and the precious ring within.
Gandalf wanders, ruminating intensely upon the weaknesses of elves and men. He reasons that elves are incapable of comprehending the true power of the Ring, and would foolishly wish to destroy the golden future of Middle-earth. He knows that mere men are too easily corrupted by its power. Gandalf is absolutely resolved: he must keep the Master Ring his own secret, at all costs.
Gandalf sits on the crest of Weathertop. The days pass, the rain falls but Gandalf does not notice; he is lost in matters of deepest consequence. Then out of every corner of the darkness come the cries of The Nine: “The Ring. The Ring!”
Gandalf raises his staff and proclaims: “I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the Flame of Anor, your master, the Lord of the Ring!”
“The Ring. The Ring!” chant The Nine. As the Ring slides onto Gandalf’s finger, the sky erupts with lightning. “I am the bringer of light,” exclaims Gandalf in triumph.
Gandalf of Many Colours imprisons Saruman the Traitor and unifies elves and men against Sauron, destroying the Dark Lord and his Dark Tower of Mordor. Much rejoicing is had by all. Gandalf announces that there is much more to do – to the consternation of Aragorn, who is executed for treason, with all his followers, kinsfolk and other suspected spies of Elrond.
Gandalf later wears an imperial gown of black and proclaims himself the Lord High God of all Middle-earth. He anoints his Ringwraiths the Lords of Middle-earth, as a temporary edict to ensure order while the new Great Age of Wisdom is being forged. He puts his vast prison camps of heretics and traitors to work, building a bigger more magnificent tower on the ruins of the Dark Tower, called The Great Tower of Unity – as an example of beauty and perfection to all. Gandalf sits at the top of the tower in his golden throne room and ever-watches, ensuring his subjects are forever obeying his great will.
Gandalf is regularly overcome with anger at the disloyalty and ingratitude of his subjects, which necessitates public demonstrations of his great power, much to the amusement of the uruk-hai. Transgressors of the laws of Gandalf are sent to Mordor to learn more of The Way of Gandalf – they are not seen again.
One day, as the Lord High God of all Middle-earth is amusing himself with the antics of his hobbit court jesters, he sips from a chalice of poisoned wine, carefully prepared by his servant Grima Wormtongue. He takes his last gasp as the Ring slips from his withered finger onto the finger of his murderer. The Great Tower of Unity is renamed The Dark Tower.
But Gandalf had foreseen and refused this fate, placing his hope instead on the unnoticed deeds of hobbits. “Will you not take the Ring?” says Frodo. “No!” cried Gandalf, springing to his feet. “With that power I should have power too great and terrible. And over me the Ring would gain a power still greater and more deadly.” His eyes flashed and his face was lit as by a fire within. “Do not tempt me! For I do not wish to become like the Dark Lord himself. Yet the way of the Ring to my heart is by pity, pity for weakness and the desire of strength to do good. Do not tempt me!”