A man sits at his battered piano, in a little church, on a weathered hill top, overlooking the sea. The church has a Crucifix carved into one pediment, a Star of David in another and a Star and Crescent in another. There’s a Hindu Om, a Druid Triple Spiral, a Wheel of Dharma and an … Continue reading The Fruit Trees
Green and brown: they’re good colours to see in a forest. They’re not so good in a waterway. There’s a 1,800 megalitre sediment containment lake which forms the scenic foreground of the town centre. It’s supposed to be populated with sailboats and crystalline blue, reflective water. Instead it looks like there’s an old, seventies throw … Continue reading The Dam Buster
“Caution: Warning sign ahead” reads a street sign. “Beware trip hazards” reads a different sign in the middle of the footpath. “Don’t drive distracted” reads yet another sign which shares a pole with a sign that reads “hazards on road.” The sign-writers in this town must be rich. There’s a sign for everything! Moreover, the … Continue reading Safety First
“What’s on for tonight?” Shouts the head cattle-hand. He says it loud enough for all the other men to hear. The boss pricks up his ears, fearing there’s going to be trouble. “White caviar and French kidney!” Comes a holler from behind the chuck wagon. The cook produces a steaming pot and starts serving its … Continue reading Rice ‘n’ Beans
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
Tandi Tales 