Pastoral Stories

A collection of poems pried from the mandibles of a beetle sitting in the back of the classroom.

These tales are my attempt to combat the 'slings and arrows' of outrageous fortune, and in doing so free my mind to explore the vastness of individual creation. To contemplate the labyrinths of that mind and the thought processes we take for granted everyday. In a word, 'dream'. Welcome to my world of fantasy and let me lay bare some of my hitherto unspoken thoughts. I will be your host and supply you with the word pictures that you, yourself shall paint. In the writings that are about to follow you are requested to play a major part, in that without your full co-operation the hallucinations that could be created by these works will not materialise. These works are simple exercises in hallucination, each as it enfolds draws for you a word picture, the colouring of that picture is left to your imagination. They will reach down into the self that is YOU...and in some cases remind you of things you had long since forgotten. In other cases they will challenge your beliefs, but in all cases they will give you something to think about. New concepts, new angles to view what we call life.... hopefully they will supply food for thought. Your journey through the images these writings create...... can start here.... the choice is yours! L.D.B.

When Eros decides to join two country folk together, Frank and Hazel learn the meaning of love. A disclaimer: Rick Riordan owns these characters and the story is inspired by Longus' Daphnis and Chloe.

In a quiet countryside at dusk, an aging man witnesses a fleeting, unexpected moment that stirs something deep and long-forgotten within him. What he sees lingers far beyond the evening, becoming a private, haunting memory of beauty, desire, and the mysteries that sometimes brush against ordinary life.

A collection of poems I wrote in my youth (13-18).

Life is a journey marked by moments of joy and grief, often intertwining in ways that challenge our strength and resilience. Whether celebrating a significant milestone or coping with loss, it's common to experience these emotions simultaneously. During such times, finding a supportive community and spiritual guidance can make all the difference. Thom O'Leary Mountainbrook Speaks - When Joy and Grief Collide captures the essence of these dual emotions, and Mountainbrook Church stands as a beacon of hope and encouragement, helping individuals and families thrive when joy and grief collide.

suggested by Erasmus

Super short story about the nature of friends, especially the need to feel understood and what lengths we will go to to fill that void. Perfect for those who love Anne of Green Gables, Jane Austen, or or Charlotte Bronte. Whimsical, imaginative, contemplative, and fun.

A cabin in the woods. Storm Streaks and Raging Fires. 2 lost girls trying to survive in a cruel, harsh, and unforgiving world that tore their family apart. The images are from Susan Collins Hunger Games and Taylor Swift's Safe and Sound Music Video as well as Google and the Re:Color App. (Credits to original owners). Also, all of the lullaby's the girls sing througout the story are not mine: -Safe and Sound-Taylor Swift's Hunger Games Song of Prim -Rue's Lullaby from Susan Collin's Hunger Games -The Hanging Tree Susan Collin's Hunger Games -Castle on a Cloud from Les Miserables -Under the Spreading Chestnut Tree-George Orwell's 1984 -Beneath the Weeping Willow--Flora's Lullaby in The Innocents' Movie based on Henry James' The Turn of the Screw -Clannad/Clannad Afterstory-(Refrence to Ushio's backstory in the Sugar-Maple Chapter) -Come Play With Us--(Stephen King's The Shining) Primrose however, is my own character. She is not the Prim from Collin's Hunger Games Trilogy. Neither is Petra from Attack on Titan. The Petra in my story is her own character.

Have you ever wondered why some bad incidents happened to a believer you know? Well, this story is just so enlightening and it answers it all STORY TITLE: RARE CASES.

This is based on the Korean story about the Weaver Girl and the Cowherd. Long ago the King of Heaven had a daughter, a beautiful and diligent weaver in Heaven. The Cowherd was a poor, young man, but the King of Heaven was impressed by his hard work and virtue... Poem in sijo form (type of Korean poem with syllable restrictions, sort of like a haiku). Something I wrote freshman year for the literary magazine and found on my computer today.

poem in homage to Addison T. Millar

A powerful Christian fiction novel that delves deep into the hidden struggles of faith, leadership, and sin within the church. Pastor Caleb and his wife Jasmine appear to have it all-a thriving ministry, a loving family, and a devoted congregation. But beneath the surface, secrets of adultery, deception, manipulation, and betrayal threaten to unravel everything. As Caleb's hidden sins come to light and Jasmine faces her own temptations, their worlds collide in a devastating storm of guilt, pride, and brokenness. Yet, even in the darkest moments, God's unyielding grace and justice pierce through the shadows. This is a story about the impossibility of hiding from God, the painful road to repentance, and the miraculous power of restoration. With raw emotion and spiritual depth, Behind Man, In Front of God challenges readers to confront the realities of sin and hypocrisy, while offering a hopeful vision of redemption and renewal through God's mercy.

A silly little story about an old man's confusion.

Pastoral Science Fiction focuses on life on rural planets - with the settlers and colonists often in negligence of the technology that brought them initially to their safe haven. Of course, this has potential for both idyllic developments and deadly conflict. Enjoy an issue dedicated to this multi-faceted Sci-fi sub genre!

A very close knit village can't help but deem the newcomer Mr. Israel Heathcote a strange, unlikeable man. Rumors swarm of his past, but there is many a detail left to be unearthed. Enter Miss Mary Abbott, who truly believes the rumors are false, and that Heathcote is not at all what the people present him to be.