Showing results by publisher "Spoken Realms" in Anthologies

A woman nearing the end of her life knows that she must destroy intimate love letters between herself and another man so that no one, particularly her husband, can ever read them. Unable to part with them while still alive, the provision she makes for their disposal upon her death leads to devastating consequences.

Robert Hugh Benson, a Catholic priest wrote this short story of the taking the life of a songbird, and the vision that accompanied it.

Meet Jenny Wren. In spite of physical difficulties she is an industrious young girl with friends, and work that she enjoys. You may think her life extremely harsh by today's standards, but her enduring spirit will inspire. You may even come to wish you were more like Jenny Wren. A little-known classic short story from the mind of Charles Dickens. Narrated by Glenn Hascall.

We’ve all had experiences with home remedies for the common cold. Mark Twain takes us on a journey through the remedies he experienced, the places he went, and what he learned in this classic short story.

Who ever heard of a plain and downright homely heroine? Isn't a heroine by definition beautiful? Well, Edna Ferber, in her well known style that later produced Show Boat and Giant, tells us about just such a heroine in this special short story. It is special to me because of her insight into the deep courage and faith of 'ordinary' people, people like most of us. And of course our failings and frailties and sometimes, the prince does not marry the right person. Yep.

"Geoffrey's Panklaggephone" is the equivalent of a sponge – for sound. This short story from humorist Ellis Parker Butler demonstrates that even the best inventions will have their quirks. Sometimes those quirks can make the invention useful in an application no one suspected.

Conradin, a ten-year-old boy, rebels against his strict guardian when he invents a new religion which idolizes his pet polecat-ferret, Sredni Vashtar. Conradin hides Sredni Vashtar and prays to him in secret. When the guardian begins a search for the boy’s new god, Conradin’s worship is answered with disturbing results.

Criminals should not return to the scene of their crime. Sometimes, it's just too horrible to bear!

Daffydowndilly was under the care of Mr. Toil, who was harsh and unyielding. When the young boy left school to gain relief from the harsh treatment, he met a traveler who helped the lad follow his new path after running away. The bad news: every new person the two travelers met was related to Mr. Toil. In the end, Daffydowndilly made what had become an easy choice.

A child stumbles across something in the snow. A wealthy man prepares for his retirement. What clever or cruel twist will this small masterpiece by Ambrose Bierce reveal?

Bud was an old west cowhand sent to New York to give particulars about a ranch that was changing owners. Bud shares the story of how much the New York folk needed help in the ways of the world. Those he encountered would likely have had an entirely different view of Bud’s perspective. You’ll find humor along the trail in this memorable

Forbidden love in name baronial estate. An evil man dies with an evil smile upon his face believing his evil secret is going with him to the grave. And there it remains until the lovers creep into the crypt shortly after the stroke of midnight. An erie tale certain to creep you out and keep you in suspense.

Poor, raggedy little girl, meets Fairy Godmother, who transforms her life from rags to riches. This puts her way beyond the reach of her nasty step sisters... But, what does she do to them when she marries the Prince?

In an age of health reform it is still common for some to resist visiting a doctor. Follow this fun story from Winnie the Pooh creator A.A. Milne as a man visits the doctor and is as nervous as a cat on his last life. From his answers to actions this patient is as misunderstood as he was annoying to the doctor. This is a humorous short story through and through and delightfully relatable.

If the legend were true then the "Yaller Dog" was able to effect change in people, mimic their transgressions, and knew the true value of politicians. On the other hand, if you spent enough time with the dog you may come to wonder if he really had any redeeming qualities. A humorous classic tale of a dog who was hard to define. Narrated by Glenn Hascall.

Two mature neighbors are weary of seeing a young boy raise rabbits and chickens that always annoyed the old men. The two elder neighbors sought to teach the boy how to raise livestock. What ensues is a misadventure with comic moments throughout. A tale of simple times and men who are funny, even when they don't know they possessed the skill.

Award-winning narrator Mike Vendetti narrates "The War Prayer", a short story or prose poem by Mark Twain, a scathing indictment of war and particularly of blind patriotic and religious fervor as motivations for war.

Join Mark Twain as he remembers his earliest attempt at poetry, which was a piece of writing that won no favor with his father. Then again many sons will have tackled a project with the same good humor and savage sarcasm.

One of the worst storms - thunder, lightning, and rain - ever to strike London, arrived the same day the visionaries have predicted the end of the world. Could this be a harbinger of the arrival of an unseen comet that will destroy Earth? Has the apocalyptic day arrived? A beautiful maiden visiting the home of a doctor and his family believe so to the extent she is rendered catatonic. While in this state, her mind sees things unseen by mortal man.

As the American Civil War rages, an officer who longs for the glory of battle has been assigned to staff duties away from the battlefield. Now a captain, he is assigned to a combat unit and faces battle for the first time. He finds there is no glory, only controlled terror for those engaged in war.