The Storyteller

This is a series of short stories, most of which have a sting in the tail. Some are based on the true experiences of the author; some have been embellished, and some are purely fictional. The first story, The Entomologist, is true, and the conversation, which is full of malapropisms, actually occurred. Frappin’ the Wurzel, on the other hand, is entirely a figment of the author’s imagination. It depicts George, a bucolic Arcadian in a small English pub, who in an effort to maintain his reputation as the village prankster exploits the very obvious charms of an American tourist—an activity that would probably get him thrown in goal in a more enlightened society. Spider Loves Me and a Near Gaff introduces pathos into the mix, and most of the other stories have an unexpected ending that may intrigue or amuse the reader. The title of this book was inadvertently suggested to me by a charming lady while I was giving a talk to a library group. I had been narrating various yarns of events that had occurred during my lifetime and my audience appeared to enjoy them. During the tea break, the lady approached me remarking, “You are a storyteller!” I placed the wrong connotation on her comment and protested that they were all true. She hurriedly corrected my misunderstanding saying that she enjoyed my tales and that I should set them down in a book; this I have done. Many of the stories have an element of truth, painfully so. However, some are figments of my imagination, and some have been enhanced to give them humor or pathos. Most have a twist in the tale that may surprise or amuse the reader. I do hope you enjoy them.