As the landscaper lays paving bricks in a public park, many onlookers glance over to admire his handiwork. He’s been laying paths for decades and he’s a true master of his trade. A lawyer passes by. “You should be using a stretcher bond. There’s less chance chance of trip hazards.” An engineer makes comment. “Why … Continue reading The Landscaper
Two old friends cross paths at a coffee shop. They squawk at each other. Marigold, darling!” “Oh, June, sweetheart!” “How are the children?” They sit at an empty table and the competition is on. “My son lives on the seventeenth floor of the tallest building in town.” “Well, my daughter just moved into the eighteenth … Continue reading The Competition
The change room is bustling. The drag-queens are about to start a big show in Vegas. Their many muscular figures dominate the cramped room, but their movements are so graceful. A Mexican beauty grabs a pear from the fruit table. She needs a little energy before her big number. The Texan girl is concerned about … Continue reading A Major Misunderstanding
“You see that big pointy building over there?” Says Dad. “Yes. What is it?” Asks his son. “What do you think it could be?” “Is it a pole for tying Hindenburgs to?” “Good guess son, but that’s not what it is.” “Does it shoot laser beams to talk to extra-terrestrials?” “Another good guess, but not … Continue reading The Carillon
The little African Violet has never been to Africa, and she’s not technically a violet. Nevertheless, that’s what the grandma that waters her calls her. The little plant sits happily on her windowsill in a little apartment in Sydney, Australia, where the sun is bright and the water, clean. The next door neighbour has come … Continue reading The African Violet
He’s the king of the birds, and this evening he’s eating like a king. The rain has stopped and the worms are coming up for air in the waterlogged soil. The magpie barely needs to work to fill his belly. A human is watching and that’s okay, as long as he keeps his distance. If … Continue reading The Grass is Greener
Two Clicks looks out over the edge of the continent. He is wise. He knows there’s someone out there. He’s never seen a ship, and he’s never seen a European, but he knows they’re out there. Thirteen generations ago, Snap Jump was the leader of the tribe. He saw an explorer arrive on a ship … Continue reading The Edge of the Continent
“Bong!” There are footsteps. Then again. “Bong!” More footsteps. “Bong!” No, it’s not a bell-ringer practising his repertoire. It’s a farmer walking along his row of water tanks. “Bong!” Footsteps. “Thunk!” The last tank in the row is half full. It’s barely enough to supply the house, let alone the livestock and the crop. The … Continue reading The Big Instrument
"Hello Adelina. How beautiful your dress is." "Thanks, it is an Armani." Later, Jody made an announcement. "Hi girls. I saw Adelina today when she came to work and she is wearing an Armani dress. I wonder how she can buy those dresses - so expensive and all, with expensive labels." "Maybe she has a … Continue reading The Armani Dress
The mass spectrometer shows the presence of organic compounds, brass and a little bit of steel. The technicians have used the top-notch lab machine that doesn’t even need to make contact with the specimen being tested. It can scan the specimen from a distance. It’s safer that way, considering the fact that they don’t know … Continue reading The Enigma Device
Tandi Tales 