Category: Storytelling
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The Blackbird
by Sarah Earlene Shere, ©2025 (May 18, 2025) — Of all the songs known unto man,The blackbird’s comes most sweet,To charm the restless soul in us,To promise hope and peace. Here lies his wisdom: in his trust,In what he knows to do,Reminding us that we, ourselves,Have faith to see us through. Gentle blackbird, wing your…
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Finding Home
by Sarah Earlene Shere, ©2025 (Feb. 21, 2025) — “Long ago, deep in the forest, there lived a community of rock trolls. A rock troll is a creature who -“ “You’re taking too long! Let me tell the story; after all, it is mine to tell. Ahem, this is the story about my friend, Filbert,…
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What the Bucket Learned
by Sarah Earlene Shere, ©2025 (Jan. 26, 2025) — The old bucket leaned close to the wall, wishing his owner had turned him just a little more on the shelf so that the crack on his side might be hidden. He groaned to himself as the new bucket was placed beside him. The younger turned its rim…
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The Princess Who Would Not Laugh
by Sarah Earlene Shere, ©2025 (Jan. 10, 2025) — Once upon a time, there was a princess who never laughed. Now, whether she couldn’t or wouldn’t was never quite made clear. Still, the princess became proud of her ability to refrain from laughter. She even used it as a game, allowing others to challenge her.…
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The Moe-chi’s First Snowflake
by Sarah Earlene Shere, ©2025 (Jan. 3, 2025) — Ami ran across the forest floor as fast as her four little legs could take her. Abruptly, she stopped, raised up on her back feet and sniffed the air with her tiny pink nose. The light shown through her round pink ears as they twitched at…
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La Befana’s Song
by Sarah Earlene Shere, ©2024 (Dec. 27, 2024) — “Zitella, Zitella, not courted by man,Because her face looks like a scratched frying pan.” But one winter night the heart-of-gold hag,Was inspired by magi to fill up her bag, With treats and with toys for a little Child,She flew with her broom out into the wild,…
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Merry Christmastide!
by Sarah Earlene Shere, ©2024 (Dec. 25, 2024) — “Let the little children come to me,” so said Jesus when his disciples tried to send away the mothers who brought their little ones to Him. He continued, “For of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.” People say, “Christmas is for children.” The older I get,…
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A Nutcracker’s Tail
by Sarah Earlene Shere, ©2024 (Dec. 21, 2024) — Adalbert here! I know, “What does a squirrel have to do with the nutcracker story?” Truth is, you only know what happened after the nutcracker was given to little Marie. I know where the nutcracker came from and how he got his magic. Or, at least,…
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Another Gift
by Sarah Earlene Shere, ©2024 (Dec. 13, 2024) — Della raised her hand to straighten the combs in her hair for the fifth time since she had placed them there. Her husband, Jim, gently caught it in motion and set it upon his knee with a loving pat. “You look beautiful. Stop fussing.” Della sighed,…
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Carol’s Christmas
by Sarah Earlene Shere, ©2024 (Dec. 6, 2024) — Carol stood against the flower-papered wall, twisting the fan in her hands as she watched the dancers at the winter ball. One by one the ladies on either side of her had been invited to dance till she was left alone. She pulled her gloves up…
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With a Thankful Heart
by Sarah Earlene Shere, ©2024 (Nov. 29, 2024) — With a thankful heart I tramp into our cottage that I built for you so long ago, before you were my bride. Quickly I close the door behind me in order to shut out Jack Frost, who is hard at work outside. With a sigh, I…
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The Grateful Prince
by Sarah Earlene Shere, ©2024 (Nov. 23, 2024) — Hobart angrily waved a stick over his head, yelling at the crows to “Be gone.” With a sigh, he turned back to his post. The stout gnome took his job of guarding the garden of the woodcutter’s wife very seriously. He turned sharply at the sound…
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Give Thanks
by Sarah Earlene Shere, ©2024 (Nov. 16, 2024) — Father Mouse pulled his hat down over his pink ears as Mother Mouse tightened the scarf around her neck. The crisp autumn breeze sent chills through their thin clothes. They glanced one at the other, then each gave a nod, signaling the ability to press onward.…
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Of Tricks and Treats
by Sarah Earlene Shere, ©2024 (Nov. 1, 2024) — Once upon a time, The Guardian of the woods heard concerning reports that the poor children of the village were being neglected. In order to test if these rumors were true, The Guardian sent out her sisters disguised as street urchins. They went from door to…
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The Mansion on the Hill
by Sarah Earlene Shere, ©2024 (Oct. 25, 2024) — Did you see that mansion upon the hill you passed on your way here? It’s been shut up for years, and yet, many people have reported seeing light peeking through the slats of wood and shadows moving past the boarded windows. Some believe it is the…
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A Light Unto the Path
by Sarah Earlene Shere, ©2024 (Oct. 18, 2024) — There once was a widow who had but one son. Sadly, the lad had been terribly spoiled by his father, thus was neither a help nor a comfort to his mother when her husband died. After his father’s passing, realizing he would no longer be able…
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The Idoelin
by Sarah Earlene Shere, ©2024 (Oct. 11, 2024) — When the moon climbs high in the old oak trees, painting shadows on the tombstones, like long, black fingers reaching for something in the dark, one has often seen a glimpse of the mysterious Idoelin and mistook it for a spirit come from the other side…
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The Beginning of the Autumn Tales
by Sarah Earlene Shere, ©2024 (Oct. 4, 2024) — It was a crisp, late afternoon when I saw the children of the village gathering and making haste in a single direction. Curious, I followed behind till I came to a clearing in the woods. Here, autumn had already begun to paint a magnificent picture of…
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The Spark
by Sarah Earlene Shere, ©2024 (Sep. 28, 2024) — There was a time I believed in fairy tales, in wishing upon the first star and in dreams coming true. But “with age comes wisdom,” so I’m told. Yet, it did not seem like “wisdom” that tried to change my mind. It looked like hurt, uncertainty,…
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The Keeper of Autumn
by Sarah Earlene Shere, ©2024 (Sep. 20, 2024) — The keeper of autumn glided along the way, with her velvet robes sweeping the forest floor behind her. Gently, she caressed each tree she passed, sending a chill up the trunk that caused the limbs to shiver. Her gnome friends scampered up these trees and took…