Short-Short Stories:
for Readers Short of Time
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
THE COMPETITOR 1: DREAMER
Kermit L. Tollefson seeks advantage over four other Senior Fiddler competitors at the annual, state-wide fiddle contest in
Kermit also offers backup services to female contestants within the Junior Fiddle and Young Adult Fiddle competitions, ages 13 to 36. His eyes sweep their contours, and he comments: “Fine job, sweetie. Fancy bowin’, honey. Call me KL. Nice sweater.” The youngest sense his hand on their shoulder, but older gals feel his fingers on their waist or his peck on their cheek. He hugs those most endowed.
Kermit’s wife, Marlene, cautions: “Keep your hands off those girls, old fool. Sheriff in the crowd could pick you up for sexual harassment.”
Kermit bumps again into Chris, Ralph, and Frank after his notorious guitar backup. “Whoa,” confronts Frank, “we’re up to your tricks in this competition–”
“Yeah,” pipes Ralph, who thumb-strokes his nose, “try anything underhanded tomorrow, and we'll take care of you good.”
Gene, Chris, Ralph, and Frank encircle Kermit, muscle him outside. Ralph, fiddle under his arm, coaxes: “C’mon, Kermit, we thought you'd like to see the back side of the school.” All fiddlers grow, and so does Ralph’s fiddle–in direct proportion. But Kermit doesn't. He remains a lilliputian amongst four giants. Chris kneels, lays his hand, palm up, on the ground next to Kermit. “C’mon, Kerm, old boy, step into my hand. I’l lift you up.” Kermit hesitates. Chris flicks Kermit onto his hand with a forefinger, slips him under the strings of Ralph's fiddle.
Kermit grabs a foot of the bridge to prevent sliding off the curved, slick top of the fiddle. He peers down with fear, realizes he’s a few stories up.
“So you don't have to worry about falling off,” says Frank, “I’ll stuff you inside through an F hole.”
“No, NO! Please. I’ll never trouble you guys again!” Kermit flays his arms and legs, tries to straddle the gaping sound hole.
A buxom blond fiddler–one that Kermit hugged on stage–appears next to Ralph. She kicks free Kermit’s heels jammed into the edge of the F hole, taps him into the dark fiddle’s interior. “Get down there, KL, where you belong.”
Kermit lands with a solid clunk on the floor of the fiddle; pain singes his back. He wraps his arms around the sound post, shinnies up. At the top, though, he can’t reach the F hole, and drops back to the floor.
With Ralph’s play of “
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Book Details
About the Book
Short-Short Stories: for Readers Short of Time is a compilation of 61 ultra-short stories two pages or less in length. These are in marked contrast to “regular” short stories that average 12 to 16 pages and may extend to a whopping 30 to 40 pages. If you’re like the author, you’re especially open to brief jolts of literature that consume only a few minutes –or even less–each.
In our fast-paced society, economy of words while reading–and writing–is correspondingly appropriate. Snatch a sampling of stories when riding on short-duration bus, train, and car trips; waiting for a dentist or physician; and maybe even while on a commode. A re-read of a story may provide an added benefit.
In this book you will find the short-short stories to be highly varied. Read about a woman having to learn wildflower names from her fiancee; the dwarf planet Pluto’s complaint of losing its planet’s status; a snake-fearing woman who prefers her snakes having legs; and a nearly 80-year-old fiddler worried about contracting AIDS from “bad blood” during bypass surgery.
The photographs are meant to complement the stories. But they can be appreciated on their own merits. You will note that their titles differ from those of the stories.
About the Author
ALAN M. CVANCARA, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Geology from the University of North Dakota, resides in Casper, Wyoming with his wife, Ella. Alan has written 17 books, two with his wife. Several follow a nature theme, but he’s written three novels as well. He also creates artistic photographs, many of which illustrate his books. And he plays the mandolin, guitar, fiddle, and banjo, and writes songs. Photograph by Ella J. Cvancara, copyright 2008.