Visit amazon.com/author/moffat to get free short stories and huge discounts on fantasy books by Charles Moffat. Sale ends on October 20th.
Friday 18 October 2024
Fantasy Book Sale + Freebies, Oct 16 to 20
Visit amazon.com/author/moffat to get free short stories and huge discounts on fantasy books by Charles Moffat. Sale ends on October 20th.
Wednesday 24 January 2024
Call for Submissions: Peasant Magazine
PM is a free nonprofit fantasy/historical fiction/magical realism literary magazine that focuses on stories set on earth prior to 1750 or set in a fantasy world.
Furthermore stories don't have to be 'first time publications'. They also accept reprints of previously published works.
Peasant Magazine is available in both 8x11 magazine format from Amazon, and as a free PDF for download.
Peasant Magazine Issue #1, 8x11
Peasant Magazine Issue #1, Free PDF
Wednesday 4 October 2023
Free Fantasy Magazine releases first issue
Download a copy of the free PDF version by visiting the Peasant Magazine website, or order the 8x11 magazine of Peasant Magazine via Amazon for $4.99 USD.
Tuesday 18 July 2023
The Fable of Edward de Gale and the Big Bad Baritone Singer
Once upon a melodious time, in the vibrant city of Harmonia, there lived a talented pianist named Edward de Gale. Edward possessed a remarkable gift that allowed him to weave enchanting melodies and evoke profound emotions through his music. He was renowned for his captivating performances and his ability to connect deeply with his audience.
Now, in the same city, there was a Big Bad Baritone Singer. This singer had a deep, resonant voice that could command attention and instill fear in the hearts of those who heard it. The Big Bad Baritone Singer, jealous of Edward's musical prowess and popularity, sought to challenge him and prove his own superiority.
One day, the Big Bad Baritone Singer issued a challenge to Edward, demanding a musical showdown. The stage was set, and the townspeople eagerly gathered to witness this epic musical battle. The air was filled with anticipation as the two artists prepared to showcase their talents.
Edward sat at the grand piano, his fingers poised on the keys, while the Big Bad Baritone Singer stood tall, his chest puffed out, ready to unleash his powerful voice. The crowd hushed in anticipation, awaiting the clash of melodies and harmonies.
As the battle commenced, the Big Bad Baritone Singer unleashed his thunderous voice, filling the air with a booming sound that reverberated through the concert hall. The sheer force of his voice seemed to overpower the room, causing the audience to tremble in awe.
But Edward, with his quick wit and musical genius, had a secret weapon. As the Big Bad Baritone Singer bellowed, Edward's fingers danced across the piano keys, creating a counterpoint to the singer's booming voice. He carefully selected chords and melodies that harmonized and blended seamlessly, transforming the vocal power of the Big Bad Baritone Singer into a mesmerizing symphony.
Edward's music enveloped the concert hall, weaving around the powerful voice of his adversary. The melodies and harmonies interwove, creating an enchanting tapestry that resonated with the hearts and souls of the audience. It was a musical dialogue, a battle of sounds and emotions, where Edward's music spoke with eloquence and grace.
As the performance reached its crescendo, the power of Edward's music began to shine through. The Big Bad Baritone Singer, overcome by the beauty of the melodies, was humbled by the artistry and talent displayed before him. His voice softened, blending harmoniously with Edward's piano, creating a magical fusion of sound.
In that moment, the Big Bad Baritone Singer realized the true power of music—how it could transcend rivalry and create harmony where there was once discord. The battle had transformed into a duet, where two contrasting forces merged to create something far more beautiful than they could have achieved alone.
From that day forward, Edward de Gale and the Big Bad Baritone Singer became partners, bringing their unique talents together to create unforgettable musical experiences for the people of Harmonia. They toured the world, spreading joy, and demonstrating the power of music to unite even the most unlikely of companions.
And so, the fable of Edward de Gale and the Big Bad Baritone Singer serves as a timeless reminder that music possesses the ability to bridge divides, heal wounds, and transform adversaries into collaborators, all through the magical language of melody and harmony.
See Also:
Wednesday 24 May 2023
The Most Popular Fables in English Literature
Ever wondered what the most popular fables are? Well, we've done our research and determined that, insofar as English literature goes, these are most popular English fables. (We won't comment on other languages. But we might do a future post on that subject.)
"The Tortoise and the Hare": This classic fable teaches us the importance of perseverance and steady progress. It tells the story of a slow but determined tortoise who wins a race against a swift but overconfident hare.
"The Lion and the Mouse": In this fable, a tiny mouse demonstrates the power of kindness and gratitude. After being spared by a lion, the mouse later helps free the lion from a trap, showing that even small acts of kindness can have significant consequences.
"The Boy Who Cried Wolf": A cautionary tale about the consequences of lying, this fable follows a young shepherd boy who repeatedly tricks the villagers into thinking there's a wolf attacking his flock. When a real wolf appears and the boy cries for help, no one believes him, and the moral of the story emphasizes the importance of honesty.
"The Ant and the Grasshopper": This fable contrasts the industriousness of the ant with the laziness of the grasshopper. As the ant diligently prepares for winter, the grasshopper wastes time and faces hardship when food becomes scarce. The moral underscores the value of hard work and planning for the future.
"The Fox and the Grapes": A fox's desire for unreachable grapes leads to a display of sour grapes, as it convinces itself that the grapes were probably sour anyway. This fable cautions against making excuses when we are unable to attain something we desire, highlighting the danger of sour grapes attitudes.
"The Goose That Laid the Golden Eggs": This fable revolves around a farmer who discovers a goose that lays golden eggs. In his greed for quick wealth, the farmer kills the goose, only to find that there are no more golden eggs. The moral of the story warns against sacrificing long-term benefits for short-term gains.
"The Boy and the Filberts": A young boy puts his hand into a jar filled with filberts (hazelnuts) but grabs too many to withdraw his hand. Instead of letting go of some to free his hand, he remains trapped until he learns the virtue of moderation. This fable teaches the importance of self-control and avoiding greed.
"The Wind and the Sun": In this fable, the wind and the sun compete to see who can remove a traveler's coat. The wind uses force, but the more gentle and warm sun succeeds by persuasion. The story emphasizes the power of kindness and gentleness over force and aggression.
"The Dog and Its Reflection": A dog carrying a bone across a bridge sees its reflection in the water below and assumes the other dog has a larger bone. In its greed to have both bones, it drops the bone it had, only to realize it was merely a reflection. This fable warns against being greedy and losing what one already has.
"The Boy Who Became a Star": A lesser-known fable, it tells the story of a young boy who wished to become a star. Through determination and hard work, he becomes a renowned astronomer, teaching us that dreams can be achieved with persistence and dedication.
Summary:
These popular fables in English literature impart valuable moral lessons through imaginative storytelling. Whether it's about perseverance, honesty, hard work, moderation, or kindness, these fables continue to resonate with readers of all ages, teaching timeless lessons that are still relevant in today's world.
Want to read more "modern fables"? Check out Charles Moffat's Fables set in the fictional kingdom of Korovia. After all, why should we just accept the fables of the past when we can continue making new fables?
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