Golden Baobab Award 2012

Here in Africa magic is happening...

Little Human Being stories are popping onto pages, popping into print.

I have recently submitted my entry for the Golden Baobab Award - see one of the little pictures above

One of the Golden conditions is that the story must be unpublished (Whole or in part), which makes me hesitant, even to share the name thereof. My submission was re-requested without images, so I have decided that it must be OK for me to share one or two of them on the blog.

No story set in Africa would be complete without:

An adventurous journey into the unknown...

Encounters with wild animals; poisonous, dangerous, hungry...

Beautiful African Sunsets...

and a magical Mopani wood box that contains........  something :)


Winners of the Golden Baobab Award will be announced in the first week of November 2012 and I will be sure to keep this site updated.


If anybody knows of other great short story competitions feel free to post a link below

The Great Chicken Farmer

 

Once upon a time in a land far far and away there lived a great chicken farmer. The great chicken farmer was a man dedicated to love. Love is what inspired the chicken farmer, love is what got him out of bed every morning.

"I love money."

"I love my cars."

"I love profit margins."

"I love more profits."

Like a true follower of the highest teachings the chicken farmer knew only love.

The great chicken farmer used a secret technique to maximize his profits.  Every evening before bed he would imagine himself driving only the biggest fastest cars. Every day upon waking the great chicken farmer would see, feel and simply know that his chicken empire was getting bigger and better, better and bigger.

As you think, so it shall be. The great chicken farmer's love and greatness grew and grew. Money, profits, cars and more chickens were the order of the day.

The chickens had it tough. There were no luxuries. No medical, no retirement fund, no company cars and the housing scheme was reminiscent of an overcrowded P.O.W. camp.

The great chicken farmer did not care about chickens. Since he was a young man the he had nurtured only love and greatness.

"I love to keep costs down."

"I love expanding my operation."

"I love power."

"I love greatness."

"Love, love , love..."

Over bred and under fed, the chickens had it tough.

THE END

Truth is always far more cruel than fiction. 

People like the great chicken farmer seldom change.

 

They can, but they don't...

The Little Purple Bird of Wisdom Interview

This morning our special guest for the Sunday Interview on the ever popular Little Human Being Blog is:

The Little Purple Bird of Wisdom. 

Little Human Being - LHB: I would like to welcome you to the show, I feel much wiser having you in our offices this morning

Little Purple Bird of Wisdom - LPBoW: Cheep cheep...

LHB: How would you describe yourself and what you do?

LPBoW:   ...

LHB: Hmm, well, we know you are the feathered manifestation of Higher Wisdom. How did you get the job and are you enjoying it?

LPBoW: ...

LHB: Ladies and gentlemen I would like to confirm that the Little Purple Bird of Wisdom is still with me, but it seems he has decided to withhold his opinion.

LHB: Am I asking the wrong questions?

LPBoW: ...
 

LHB: Maybe your wisdom is only to be found if I search in the right direction?

LPBoW: ...

LHB: Am I getting warmer?

LPBoW: ...

LHB:  Why all the silence?

LPBoW: ...

LHB: Is silence the answer you want me to understand?

LPBoW: ...

LHB: You seem so still. Is stillness the key to wisdom?

LPBoW: ...

LHB:  Are you trying to show me that those who are wise embrace silence?

LPBoW: ...

LHB: Are you trying to show me that those who have little understanding just keep asking useless questions?

LPBoW: ...

LHB: I understand....

LPBoW: (smiles)

LHB: ...

LPBoW: ...

LHB: ... 

LPBoW: ...

LHB: ...

LPBoW: ...

LHB: ... 

LPBoW: ...

LHB: ...


... 4 hours later ...

LHB: Little Purple Bird of Wisdom I would like to thank you for that exhilarating journey, thank you for sharing your opinion and graciously sharing your insights. Your cup overfloweth with wisdom.

LPBoW: Cheep cheep

Join us next week Sunday for another mind altering interview. Our special guest will be the Little Warrior.








micro-wisdom

Steve the Crazy Cat

He was the top cat.
Every cat in the neighborhood loved Steve. All the neighbors, even the birds loved Steve.

Steve spent his days climbing trees, eating, purring and sleeping. When he wasn't involved in one of those activities he was usually on his was to partaking in one of the aforementioned activities in another location.

Life was good...

One day Steve was on his way to engaging in one of those aforementioned activities. As Steve was crossing the road he looked left and then right, or was it right and then left. Nobody really knows.

What we do know is that Steve got it wrong.

What we do know is that a large SUV sent Steve to that place where all cats and cute little furry animals go:

The beginning and end of Eternity.

Our pets are amazing little beings. They come into our lives, share their magic and leave when the time is right. This post is for all the furry little animals that have helped make our human experience just a little more special.

Steve the Speedy Snail

Once upon a time, in a garden far far and away there lived a snail...
Not just any snail, Steve was the fastest snail that ever lived. Steve could cross a garden path in under 3 minutes. Steve could climb vertical walls and on a good day Steve could almost keep up with a slow tortoise.

There was not a snail that could keep up with Steve. Steve had the pickings of the freshest leaves and the ripest veggies in the entire garden.

Steve was the man!!!

Steve even invested in a rather sporty chitinous exo-shell to replace his calcium carbonate model.

All the girl snails loved Steve. All the boy snails envied Steve. Everybody wanted to be Steve the Speedy Snail!!!

BUT - inside Steve was not happy :(
Steve longed to be like all the other snails.

Relaxed, peaceful, slow and serene.

And so one day Steve made the choice to slow down. Steve made the choice to be a true snail. Relaxation entered his life. Peace became his friend. Slow became an ally and serenity became the place from where he lived.

The End


I went to a city once and was  amazed to see so many people rushing around like Steve the Speedy Snail. 
We humans are designed to be still.
Relaxation is yours to claim. Peace is your birthright. Serenity should fill your life.


Just like Steve, it is only a choice away.
Your choice...



You can speed all you want, but remember it is only the snails that will love and envy you.






Thanks  - V