Podcast appearances and mentions of Barry J Northern

Author : Anatoly Belilovsky Narrator : Hans Fenstermacher Host : Alasdair Stuart Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Originally published in the Immersion Book of Steampunk from Immersion Press, UK, in 2011. Aired as Cast of Wonders Episode 24 in February 2012, and selected as a Staff Pick by Barry J. Northern in 2013. Kulturkampf by […] The post Cast of Wonders 360: Encore! Kulturkampf appeared first on Cast of Wonders.

Author : M. R. James Narrator : Alasdair Stuart Host : Barry J. Northern Audio Producer : Rikki LaCoste Discuss on Forums Originally published by the author in More Ghost Stories, 1911 Every year in January, Cast of Wonders takes the month off to recharge our batteries, plan the year ahead, and highlight some of […] The post Episode 186: Staff Pick 2015 – A School Story by M. R. James appeared first on Cast of Wonders.

Author : Sarina Dorie Narrator : Jeff Hite Host : Jeff Hite Audio Producer : Jeff Hite Artist : Barry J. Northern Discuss on Forums Originally published in Flagship Magazine (February 2012). Princesses Do Not Breathe Fire by Sarina Dorie When Princess Draciona was born, it was obvious something wasn’t quite right. She had emerald […] The post Cast of Wonders 170: Princesses Do Not Breathe Fire by Sarina Dorie appeared first on Cast of Wonders.

Author : Lisa Montoya Narrator : Chloë Yates Host : Marguerite Kenner Audio Producer : Rikki LaCoste Artist : Barry J. Northern Discuss on Forums Cast of Woners 169: Lost Socks by Lisa Montoya is a Cast of Wonders original. Want to see those OTKs I mentioned? They’re at Sock Dreams – and tell them […] The post Cast of Woners 169: Lost Socks by Lisa Montoya appeared first on Cast of Wonders.

Author : Donald Jacob Uitvlugt Narrator : Tracey Yuen Host : Marguerite Kenner Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter Artist : Barry J. Northern Discuss on Forums Originally published in Interstellar Fiction (May 2013). The Tale of the White Tiger by Donald Jacob Uitvlugt Blind Li Xiao surveyed the marketplace. The sensor net embedded in his […] The post Cast of Wonders 168: The Tale of the White Tiger by Donald Jacob Uitvlugt appeared first on Cast of Wonders.

Author : Holly Schofield Narrator : John Meagher Host : Marguerite Kenner Audio Producer : Allen Sale Artist : Barry J. Northern Discuss on Forums Originally published by Perihelion SF (2014). Juliet Mushens’ book Get Started in Writing Young Adult Fiction is available now in the UK, and forthcoming in the US. You can find […] The post Cast of Wonders 166: Hard Passage by Holly Schofield appeared first on Cast of Wonders.

Author : Luke Thomas Narrator : Heather Welliver Host : Marguerite Kenner Audio Producer : Allen Sale Artist : Barry J. Northern Discuss on Forums Originally published in the The Devilfish Review (December 2012). Our story this week is a special re-broadcast of Into the Forever Place by Luke Thomas. This story originally ran in […] The post Cast of Wonders 165: Into The Forever Place by Luke Thomas appeared first on Cast of Wonders.

Author : Ellen Klages Narrators : Rikki LaCoste, Isis LaCoste and Fiona “Princess Scientist” Van Verth Host : Marguerite Kenner Audio Producer : Rikki LaCoste Artist : Barry J. Northern Discuss on Forums Originally published in Reach for Infinity (May 2014). Available from Solaris in The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year: Volume […] The post Cast of Wonders 164: Amicae Aeternum by Ellen Klages appeared first on Cast of Wonders.

Author : Jenni Moody Narrator : Melissa Bugaj Host : Marguerite Kenner Audio Producer : Allen Sale Artist : Barry J. Northern Discuss on Forums Originally appeared in The Colored Lens, Issue 12, Summer 2014 Sister Winter by Jenni Moody We were just going to bed when the townfolk came, led by Mrs. Hutch with […] The post Cast of Wonders 162: Sister Winter by Jenni Moody appeared first on Cast of Wonders.

Author : Jessi Cole Jackson Narrator : Michelle Ristuccia Host : Marguerite Kenner Audio Producer : Allen Sale Artist : Barry J. Northern Discuss on Forums Originally published in Crossed Genres Magazine 2.0: Book Two (2014). Warning: This episode contains the single use of a racial slur. Listen to the commentary after the story for […] The post Cast of Wonders 161: The Rum Cake Runner by Jessi Cole Jackson appeared first on Cast of Wonders.

Author : M. Bennardo Narrator : Alasdair Stuart Host : Marguerite Kenner Audio Producer : Allen Sale Artist : Barry J. Northern Discuss on Forums Originally published in Shimmer, Number 16 (2013). The Haunted Jalopy Races by M. Bennardo It all started when gallant Joe Jones and shiftless Sylvester Sneep agreed to race each other […] The post Cast of Wonders 160: The Haunted Jalopy Races by M. Bennardo appeared first on Cast of Wonders.

Author : Christian McKay Heidicker Narrator : Marguerite Kenner Host : Marguerite Kenner Audio Producer : Allen Sale Artist : Barry J. Northern Discuss on Forums Cast of Wonders 159: There Are No Marshmallows in Camelot by Christian McKay Heidicker is a Cast of Wonders original. Learn more about the new LGBTQ podcast Glittership! There Are […] The post Cast of Wonders 159: There Are No Marshmallows in Camelot by Christian McKay Heidicker appeared first on Cast of Wonders.

Author : David Steffen Narrator : Graeme Dunlop Host : Marguerite Kenner Audio Producer : Allen Sale Artist : Barry J. Northern Discuss on Forums Originally published in Daily Science Fiction (November 2012). This Is Your Problem, Right Here by David Steffen “This is your problem, right here.”  The plumber’s deep voice resounded from beneath […] The post Cast of Wonders 158: This Is Your Problem Right Here by David Steffen appeared first on Cast of Wonders.

Author : Matt Wallace Narrator : Kate Baker Host : Allen Sale Audio Producer : Allen Sale Artist : Barry J. Northern Discuss on Forums Originally published as a Kindle eBook (2012). Every year in January Cast of Wonders takes a break to catch our breath, plan out the year ahead, and highlight some of our […] The post Cast of Wonders 154: Staff Pick 2014 – Sundae by Matt Wallace appeared first on Cast of Wonders.

Author : Jamieson Ridenhour Narrator : Norm Sherman Host : Marguerite Kenner Audio Producer : Allen Sale Artist : Barry J. Northern Discuss on Forums Cast of Wonders 152: Staff Pick 2014 – Captain Cleveland Grackle’s Galactic Cabaret vs. The Goblins of Vishnu 6 by Jamieson Ridenhour is a Cast of Wonders original. Every year […] The post Cast of Wonders 152: Staff Pick 2014 – Captain Cleveland Grackle’s Galactic Cabaret vs. The Goblins of Vishnu 6 by Jamieson Ridenhour appeared first on Cast of Wonders.

Authors : Emmalia Harrington and Jamie Lackey Narrators : Anne-Louise Fortune and Marguerite Kenner Host : Marguerite Kenner Audio Producer : Allen Sale Artist : Barry J. Northern Discuss on Forums Cast of Wonders 150: Little Wonders 7 – The Season of Goodwill is a Cast of Wonders original. You’re listening to Little Wonders, our […] The post Cast of Wonders 150: Little Wonders 7 – The Season of Goodwill appeared first on Cast of Wonders.

Author : M. K. Hutchins Narrator : Dani Daly Host : Marguerite Kenner Audio Producer : Allen Sale Artist : Barry J. Northern Discuss on Forums Originally published in Suddenly Lost in Words, Volume 3 (2013). Bricks and Sunlight by M. K. Hutchins “Should I run and tell mother now that you’re not getting married […] The post Cast of Wonders 149: Bricks and Sunlight by M. K. Hutchins appeared first on Cast of Wonders.

Author : Rick Kennett Narrator : Marguerite Kenner Host : Marguerite Kenner Audio Producer : Allen Sale Artist : Barry J. Northern Discuss on Forums Episode 147: Thirty Minutes for New Hell (Part 2) is a Cast of Wonders original. 30 Minutes for New Hell by Rick Kennett Part 2 He checked the clock again. […] The post Episode 147: Thirty Minutes for New Hell (Part 2) appeared first on Cast of Wonders.

Author : Rick Kennett Narrator : Marguerite Kenner Host : Marguerite Kenner Audio Producer : Allen Sale Artist : Barry J. Northern Discuss on Forums Cast of Wonders 146: Thirty Minutes for New Hell (Part 1) is a Cast of Wonders original. 30 Minutes for New Hell by Rick Kennett Part 1 What are they […] The post Cast of Wonders 146: Thirty Minutes for New Hell (Part 1) appeared first on Cast of Wonders.

Author : A.T. Greenblatt Narrator : Peter Newman Host : Marguerite Kenner Audio Producer : Allen Sale Artist : Barry J. Northern Discuss on Forums Originally published in Daily Science Fiction (July 2013). Tell Them of the Sky by A. T. Greenblatt She is too small, Kitkun thinks, the first time she enters his tiny […] The post Cast of Wonders 145: Tell Them Of The Sky by A. T. Greenblatt appeared first on Cast of Wonders.

Author : H.P. Lovecraft Narrator : Alasdair Stuart Host : Marguerite Kenner Audio Producer : Allen Sale Artist : Barry J. Northern Discuss on Forums Originally published in issue #11 of The Vagrant (November 1919). Dagon by H. P. Lovecraft   I am writing this under an appreciable mental strain, since by tonight I shall […] The post Cast of Wonders 143: Dagon by H. P. Lovecraft appeared first on Cast of Wonders.

Author : Mav Skye Narrator : Barry J. Northern Host : Marguerite Kenner Audio Producer : Allen Sale Artist : Barry J. Northern Discuss on Forums Cast of Wonders 142: Marrow by Mav Skye is a Cast of Wonders original. Marrow By Mav Skye   I have eyes but do not see. I have ears […] The post Cast of Wonders 142: Marrow by Mav Skye appeared first on Cast of Wonders.

Author : Alex Shvartsman Narrator : Alex Shvartsman Host : Marguerite Kenner Audio Producer : Allen Sale Artist : Barry J. Northern Discuss on Forums Originally published in Daily Science Fiction, May 2013. Welcome, everyone, to our Banned Book Week special. Banned Book Week is an annual event every September that aims to raise awareness […] The post Cast of Wonders 138: Things We Leave Behind by Alex Shvartsman appeared first on Cast of Wonders.

Author : Krystal Claxton Narrator : A.P. Clarke Host : Marguerite Kenner Audio Producer : Allen Sale Artist : Barry J. Northern Discuss on Forums Originally published in Fireside Magazine, issue 4: August 2013. The Filigreed Cage by Krystal Claxton “I don’t understand why you’re doing this.” Valeria spoke in hushed tones, though no one […] The post Cast of Wonders 137: The Filigreed Cage by Krystal Claxton appeared first on Cast of Wonders.

Author : Rebecca Schwarz Narrator : Jeff Hite Host : Jeff Hite Audio Producer : Allen Sale Artist : Barry J. Northern Discuss on Forums Originally published in FlagShip (2011). Flotsam by Rebecca Schwarz I’m about to blast a Grunt when the game freezes. Mom’s commandeered the link, and now she appears, in her old […] The post Cast of Wonders 136: Flotsam by Rebecca Schwarz appeared first on Cast of Wonders.

Author : Jamie Mason Narrator : Paul Cram Host : Marguerite Kenner Audio Producer : Allen Sale Artist : Barry J. Northern Discuss on Forums Cast of Wonders 135: Flowers For The Dead by Jamie Mason (Part 2) is a Cast of Wonders original. We dedicate these episodes to the memories of Kimberly Proctor and […] The post Cast of Wonders 135: Flowers For The Dead by Jamie Mason (Part 2) appeared first on Cast of Wonders.

Author : Jamie Mason Narrator : Paul Cram Host : Marguerite Kenner Audio Producer : Allen Sale Artist : Barry J. Northern Discuss on Forums Cast of Wonders 134: Flowers For The Dead by Jamie Mason (Part 1) is a Cast of Wonders original. Flowers for the Dead by Jamie Mason Part 1: “ … […] The post Cast of Wonders 134: Flowers For The Dead by Jamie Mason (Part 1) appeared first on Cast of Wonders.

Author : Mark Mills Narrator : Adam Black Host : Marguerite Kenner Audio Producer : Allen Sale Artist : Barry J. Northern Discuss on Forums Cast of Wonders 133: A Well-Lit Dungeon by Mark Mills is a Cast of Wonders original. Starburst Magazine’s Bookworm Podcast. Can We Watch It Again podcast. Emma Thompson’s Donor’s Choose […] The post Cast of Wonders 133: A Well-Lit Dungeon by Mark Mills appeared first on Cast of Wonders.

Author : Jameyanne Fuller Narrator : Alasdair Stuart Host : Allen Sale Audio Producer : Allen Sale Artist : Barry J. Northern Discuss on Forums Episode 132: The Collector by Jameyanne Fuller is a Cast of Wonders original. The Collector by Jameyanne Fuller Maddie died that night fifty years ago. Car accident. Drunk driver. Fifty […] The post Episode 132: The Collector by Jameyanne Fuller appeared first on Cast of Wonders.

Author : Josh Roseman Narrator : Marguerite Kenner Host : Marguerite Kenner Audio Producer : Allen Sale Artist : Barry J. Northern Discuss on Forums Originally published in Fat Girl in a Strange Land (2011). Survivor by Josh Roseman Wen slumped against a crystal formation and stared up at the dark sky, lit only by […] The post Episode 131: Survivor by Josh Roseman appeared first on Cast of Wonders.

Author : Preston Dennett Narrator : Amy Robinson Host : Marguerite Kenner Audio Producer : Allen Sale Artist : Barry J. Northern Discuss on Forums Cast of Wonders 130: The Phobos Monolith by Preston Dennett is a Cast of Wonders original. The Phobos Monolith by Preston Dennett True to her nature, Vasia ran without fear […] The post Cast of Wonders 130: The Phobos Monolith by Preston Dennett appeared first on Cast of Wonders.

Author : George Edwards Narrator : Pete Milan Host : Marguerite Kenner Audio Producer : Allen Sale Artist : Barry J. Northern Discuss on Forums Cast of Wonders 128: Robots Don’t Cry by George Edwards is a Cast of Wonders original. Robots Don’t Cry by George Edwards I walked alone down a road with farms […] The post Cast of Wonders 128: Robots Don’t Cry by George Edwards appeared first on Cast of Wonders.

Author : Michael Haynes Narrator : M.K. Hobson Host : Marguerite Kenner Audio Producer : Allen Sale Artist : Barry J. Northern Discuss on Forums Originally published in Sidekicks! (2013). Learning the Game by Michael Haynes The man sitting at my left, Parl, groaned a curse while the stool to my right cooled. I’d be […] The post Cast of Wonders 127: Learning the Game by Michael Haynes appeared first on Cast of Wonders.

Author : J.R. Johnson Narrator : M.K. Hobson Host : Marguerite Kenner Audio Producer : Allen Sale Artist : Barry J. Northern Discuss on Forums Originally published as “Heaven’s Lot” in Not One of Us. Theme music is “Appeal To Heavens” by Alexye Nov, available at MusicAlley.com. Taxidermy and Other Dangerous Professions by J.R. Johnson […] The post Cast of Wonders 123: Taxidermy and Other Dangerous Professions by JR Johnson appeared first on Cast of Wonders.

Author : Elizabeth Shack Narrator : Tina Connolly Host : Marguerite Kenner Audio Producer : Allen Sale Artist : Barry J. Northern Discuss on Forums Originally published in Daily Science Fiction, June 3rd, 2013. Pictures in Crayon by Elizabeth Shack At recess the Arks dot the sky like unwinking stars. Ally and her friends aren’t […] The post Cast of Wonders 119: Pictures in Crayon by Elizabeth Shack appeared first on Cast of Wonders.

Erm Kaslo came to Cheddle on the Adelaine, a tramp freighter that didn't mind taking passengers who didn't mind the quality of the accommodations. He could have come on a liner, but he preferred, when working, to make his entrances unnoticed. Narrated by Barry J. Northern (for StarShipSofa).

Coming up… Fact: Synthetic Voices by Jimmy Rogers 01:50 Main Fiction: “And Then Some” by Matthew Hughes 17:00 Lightspeed Magazine Narrator: Barry J. Northern See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Read by Barry J. NorthernClick to play or download the MP3.Show NotesFor Neil Gaiman and Mike CarlosEdward Morris is a 2005 British Science Fiction Association Award nominee, also nominated for the 2009 Rhysling Award. To date, he has sold 74 short stories worldwide, including sales to Interzone(#200, 'Imagine'), Pseudopod (#106, 'Jihad Over Innsmouth') , and most recently Ellen Datlow's Best Horror of the Year #2 ("Lotophagi.")He's a three-year veteran panelist at the H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival and the Oregon Science Fiction Convention. "Sinners In The Hands of An Angry God" is a story-poem after the style of many of the poems in Neil Gaiman's SMOKE & MIRRORS. John Shirley gave him the idea when he mentioned British Petroleum and a certain Elder God in the same Facebook post. He called this one "a good idea" when he read it. I hope you agree.Music provided by Mevio at Music AlleyIdunn - 14 - Crystal Sea - Lull by Ambient Light Sea of Blood by A Dying EmberSound effects from bashing my microphone against my hand and applying effects in Audacity.

Read by Barry J. NorthernClick to play or download the MP3.Show NotesFind out more about Alethea Kontis and her work at http://aletheakontis.comBlue and Gray & Black and Green was first published in the Legends of the Mountain State 4 anthology from Woodland Press.Cast Macabre fans might also like:Music provided by Mevio at Music AlleyAll incidental music this week was by Frank RosiakJameelaSad SongThe Old Kentucky Hoedown

Read by Barry J. NorthernClick to play or download the MP3.Show NotesClick here to visit Raymond Gates' websiteRenee Chambliss blogs about her experiences narrating for Cast Macabre.Read Unblinking's comments on the High Priest here.Click here to sign up to the Cast Macabre newsletter.Music provided by Mevio at Music AlleySuite Gothique - Toccata by Cambridge Guitar OrchestraSound effects from the Freesound Projectsound-meow1.wav by zippi1.

Read by Barry J. NorthernClick to play or download the MP3.Show NotesKella Hanna-Wayne is a new poet from Eugene, Oregon.Music provided by Mevio at Music AlleyNightfall by Buskalaska

Read by Barry J. NorthernClick to play or download the MP3.Show NotesThis week's authour is Larry C. Kerr, and you can find out all about him and his works at his rather good website, www.larrykerrauthor.comMusic provided by Mevio at Music AlleyOrchestral music by Rob van den Bergmagisticalsymphonic SymphonicTheme7721 Symphonictheme2407 PsychoticSymphonicTheme Closing TrackVampire by Pixikill

Read by Barry J. NorthernClick to play or download the MP3.Show NotesThis is our first classic stab of fear.Read the story here, and find out more about Augustus Jessopp.Music provided by Mevio at Music AlleyArise--for chamber ensemble--2nd movement Jeff Vidov

Read by Barry J. NorthernClick to play or download the MP3.Show NotesKristine authored the full-length poetry collection, A Roomful of Machines (Searle Publishing, 2010). Her work has appeared in over four hundred publications including Aberrant Dreams, Abyss & Apex, Alternative Coordinates, Expanded Horizons, Space & Time, and Tales of the Talisman. She's received several Honorable Mentions in Year's Best Fantasy and Horror as well as five nominations for the Pushcart Prize and four for the Science Fiction Poetry Association's Rhysling Award.Music provided by Mevio at Music AlleyHollow Sun by 1000psiYou might also be interested in an authour interview with Richard Godwin, which you'll find here

Read by Barry J. NorthernClick to play or download the MP3.Show NotesNathaniel's work has appeared recently in PodCastle episode 132, where his story, "Fetch", won first prize in their Flash Fiction Contest Extravaganza, and he has had featured no less than six 100-word drabbles at the Drabblecast, making him their most-drabbled author!For help or advice about dealing with cancer, or to donate to a much more worthy cause than this podcast, visit Cancer Research UK.Music provided by Mevio at Music AlleyAll background music this week is by 1000psi, tracks Death, Decay, and Background.

Read by Barry J. NorthernClick to play or download the MP3.Show NotesWarning: This week's story is especially explicit.Stephen lives and works as a sign maker in the UK. His interest in writing stories began in the late nineties when he started writing for the school nursery his children attended. When teachers advised him to think seriously about taking it further, he took a crash course inevening classes to find out what he really wanted to write about. He hasn't written a child's story since. Previous works have been published in Thirteen, Dark of Night, Albedo One, Doorways, Demon Minds, the Wicked Stories website, Pseudopod, Necrography, Nossa Morte and Necrotic Tissue.Music provided by Mevio at Music AlleyEmpty Box by Al Phlipp and The Woo TeamCalculated Emptyness by compl33t

The Fable of the Tarsierby Barry J. NorthernWhy not listen along to the Fable of the Tarsier as you read? Just click the play button below or download the MP3. A tarsier sat upon his branch, chewing on a large cricket he had just caught. A warm jungle breeze rustled the leaves about him, and above, stars twinkled through the forest canopy.He heard approaching footsteps on the branch and swivelled his head, fixing his large eyes upon a brother hurrying towards him. The younger tarsier waved his arms and chirruped. So hurried was Chirrup that Cricket-Catcher did not at first understand his words.“... coming … quick … coming … this big.”Cricket-Catcher smiled around a mouthful of food as he watched Chirrup extend his little arms as wide as his slight frame would allow. “Big, eh?”Chirrup jumped up and down and nodded. “Yes, yes. Big it is. Quick.”“Quick too?”“No, no quick, we must go.”“Where? I've just caught this cricket. I'm not moving.”This sent Chirrup into another frenzy of arm-waving and high-pitching singing. “... coming … big … snake.”This caught Cricket-Catcher's attention. “A snake? A big snake is coming?”Chirrup sighed and deflated. “Yes.”“Relax. Snakes are slow.”Cricket-Catcher spotted a Striped Tree Frog sneaking up the tree's wide bole below him. Finishing off his cricket, his mind already on his next meal, he spoke idly to Chirrup whilst eyeing the frog. “You know, those are clever little things. Tasty though. Worth catching. Can't leap as well as us. I saw one in the morning once, just before going to bed.”“Go! We go now!”“Yeah, yeah. Just a minute. It was pale coloured. You never see them pale like that at night. It's like they change colour to fool us. Argh! A snake!”Cricket-Catcher had never before seen a snake as large as the one that loomed up from the shadows beyond the small frog.“I told you!” cried Chirrup as the pair leapt upwards into the canopy where the branches were thin and the snake could not follow.“I know. But did you see the size of that thing?”A picture is worth a thousand words.The Fable of the Tarsier by Barry J. Northern is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.0 UK: England & Wales License.Hosted by The Internet Archive.Music by Jeff Wahl from the album, Guitarscapes, and provided by magnatune.com

The Fable of the Pigeonby Barry J. Northern A young pigeon, not long out of the nest, squabbled among his fellows around the legs of one of the wingless giants who sat upon the strange wooden bush at this time every day.His father stayed close to him. “Look Fletch, this here giant is dropping bits of giant food already, good as grain that stuff. Oh, he'll fling us his scraps at the end, but you wanna watch out for anything you can get.” His father laughed at the older pigeons at the front of the crowd, fighting for scraps. “Look at em go. That's the way!”“But, Dad?”“Yes, my son?”“Can't I just have grain mash? You've still got crop milk. I like it with a bit of crop milk.”“Look son, I told you already, you're off the milk now. It'll dry up soon anyhow.”“What about Mum?”“She's got your brother to worry about. Look, you're not a squab any more.” His beady red eye darted ahead of a sharp-turned neck. “Look out! He's dropping scraps! Go on, get in there my son.”Fletch, wanting to impress his father, pushed his way in. Everyone said Fletch was big for his age, and he was pleased that he had weight enough to force through the crowd of adults and defend his own patch. There were grains among the fluffy giant-food. He picked at them, they were delicious but few. He tried one of the giant's fluffy grains. “Ergh!” He spat it out. In his moment of disgust he lost his place and was forced to the back of the crowd.“What happened, boy?”“Those fluffy grains are horrible, Dad. There were hardly any proper grains, you know, like the ones you and Mum give me.”“Son, if you live long enough to have squabs of your own, you'll wanna rear em on the best pickings. But you gotta learn to take what you can get now, lad. You're on your own.” And with that he flew into the mêlée and pecked at the floor with gusto.Fletch flew around the green square of woodland for a while, not daring to venture into the giant's cliffs that surrounded it. He searched for good grain, but found little, and after several days he was so hungry that the next time the giant sat upon his wooden bush, Fletch was the first at his feet.“Beggars can't be choosers.”The Fable of the Pigeon by Barry J. Northern is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.0 UK: England & Wales License.Hosted by The Internet Archive, download MP3here.Music by Jeff Wahl from the album, Guitarscapes, track 5 Reality Check, and provided by magnatune.com

The Fable of the Elephantby Barry J. Northern A young elephant trailed behind the herd, trying not to be noticed. She wanted to play with the young ones, as she always had done, but Mother had told her that this year she was old enough to help with mothering duties. The first of the new calves had been born the previous night. It had been a wonderful time, all the women of the herd celebrated, but Kijana now feared she would soon be set to some task or other.The fear of impending duty grew within her until she could no longer bear it. "Mother!" she called out. "I'm just off to the water-hole. I won't be long."Mother turned around, her trunk swaying, ears flapping. "All right, dear."Kijana had expected an argument. It seemed there were some advantages to being a little older, she thought, and stomped off to the water-hole alone. She was still young enough to feel nervous about leaving the herd behind, but felt emboldened when a pair of impala skittered away from her shadow.Now it was Kijana's plan to escape the herd to avoid mothering duties, so she had decided to take the longest route to the furthest water-hole. She would make some excuse about needing a wash, for the water at the local hole was hardly deep enough for that. She chuckled at her own cleverness. At the water-hole, however, she found she really was in need of a bath, for the it was further away than she had realised, and the day was hot.After she had spent a long time washing, which was not one of her favourite duties, the sun had already begun to set, and she could barely see her herd's distant dust-cloud. She knew it was time to return, though she would gladly have rested longer.On the way back she saw a she-lion stalking a herd of zebra. The herd was large, and Kijana feared that the she-lion might decide that a young, lone elephant was easier prey, so Kijana gave the lion, and the herd, a wide berth. The journey back took over half as long again as the journey out, so that when she eventually returned to the herd she was quite out of breath and ready to sleep."And where have you been all afternoon, young lady?" said Mother, "I wanted you to help with Abla's calf. She needs time to forage you know, she's eating for two now. I explained this to you yesterday, Kijana. That calf of hers is a thirsty one.""I know, Mum," said Kijana. "I just wanted to have a bath."Mother's great grey brow wrinkled. "Well, it's too late to help with anything now. You can help tomorrow."Kijana knew the same trick would not work again, and sighed. "What exactly will I be doing, Mum?""Don't look so distressed, Kijana," said Mother. "I only want you to play with the pup while Abla's off foraging."She who avoids labour works twice as hard.Elephants are highly social creatures, though it is females who stay together in herds, while the mature bull elephants are mostly solitary. Like human children, elephant calves require constant care for many years as they grow and develop. Unlike most animals, but again like humans and primates, elephant calves are born with few natural instincts, and so need to be taught about the world around them. The whole herd -- often closely related; mothers, daughters, sisters, and aunts -- is responsible for looking after the young calves. Such non-maternal care is known as allomothering, during which young females will also learn parenting skills before becoming mothers themselves.http://www.psychology.stir.ac.uk/staff/plee/documents/AllomotheringAnimBehav.pdfThe Fable of the Elephant by Barry J. Northern is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.0 UK: England & Wales License. Hosted by The Internet Archive, download MP3here. Music by Daniel Berkman from the album, Calabashmoon, track 4 Two Rings, and provided by magnatune.com

The Fable of the Swallowby Barry J. Northern A large roost of swallows settled about a tree, whose thinning branches fractured the sunset. One swallow among them stood on a high branch before her brood and proclaimed the end of Summer."My children. It is time for us to journey towards the Sun, to our wintering grounds."The children became excited, especially one young lad from the first brood who had been dreaming of the wintering grounds ever since an old swallow told him of the burnt fields, teaming with fat flies. More than the promise of a great feast under a strong sun, however, Firstborn desired to make nest and find a wife.He saw a younger brother on a lower branch, and hopped down to say farewell."I'm going now, brother, for I cannot wait. Will you fly with me?"Secondborn laughed. "No-one may fly as fast as you, brother. But what is the hurry? Will you not roost here tonight and wait for the flock to leave?""No, I want to be there as soon as possible. I'll make the finest nest you ever saw!" And with a flicker of feathers Firstborn was gone.Secondborn rose with the flock the next morning. He enjoyed the leisurely pace and the nightly roosts. Though he caught his food on the wing and kissed his wavering reflection as he passed over lakes to slake his thirst, he still took the time to look about him at the changing landscape. He had never imagined the world so large, nor so varied. The trees and mountains, sprawling man-nests and glittering seas, all of it swelled his heart through his glistening eyes.Another young bird took to flying with Secondborn, for she too admired the lands over which they travelled. They began to sit together when roosting more and more, and the old ones smiled and sang.Meanwhile, Firstborn flew with relentless speed towards the wintering grounds. He fancied he could see lines in the sky drawing him forwards, and he never doubted his path. He had passed other flocks, and roosted with them on occasion, but so eager was he to reach his destination, he always set off before the rest of the roost were roused by the rising sun.If it were a choice between taking a diversion for more plentiful fields and clearer waters, or a less desirable but shorter path, Firstborn always chose the latter. He reached the wintering grounds days before the rest of his brood. He stopped and looked around him for the first time since beginning his long flight. He felt drained of purpose. The fields were lonely, not at all as he had imagined, and though the food was plentiful, he almost felt too weak to feed.But feed he did, and his strength soon returned, though he had not the energy nor the inclination to build a nest for several days. He had still not begun to built when Secondborn arrived with the flock. The younger brother had already married his sweetheart on the journey, and as the happy pair settled down to make nest, they congratulated Firstborn on his speed, and spoke of all the wonderful sights they had seen on the way, but Firstborn just smiled, for he had seen nothing of which they spoke."Success is a journey not a destination."The Fable of the Swallow by Barry J. Northern is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.0 UK: England & Wales License.Hosted by The Internet Archive, download MP3here.Music by David Modica from the album, Stillness and Movement, track 2 Fresh Breath, and provided by magnatune.com

The Fable of the Rhino and the Oxpeckerby Barry J. Northern One morning, a black rhino looked up from the thorny bush he was stripping with his hooked lips, for he heard the distant rumble of hoofbeats.He squinted against the savannah sun and could see only a cloud of dust with a vaguely darker kernel, for his eyesite was poor.He set his feet to the ground and charged off to meet this new threat, for the bush was good, and the females were nearby.An oxpecker, who had been working at a tick near Rhino's ear, flew up above his head. "Charge, my tick-infested friend, charge well. Don't worry about your wounds, for I will keep them clean for you."Rhino called back. "Thank you little friend. I will be back as soon as I have dealt with my enemy."Rhino charged, and soon shortened the distance between himself and the approaching blur. The hoofbeats grew louder, until soon they were as loud as his own, and the distance closed so that even Rhino could clearly see his enemy -- another male, like himself.He called out to him. "Begone, my enemy. There is no room for you here." Then horns collided, and huge pointed heads glanced across each other forcing the pair eye-to-eye for an instant. Then the energy of their momentum was spent, and then their heavy bodies pounded the hard dirt beneath them in a slow cycle of stand-off and head-butting.The pair fought for several minutes, but Rhino was the largest, and so, before long, his rival backed away. "You are the better beast. Perhaps one day I will match your skill." Then Rhino's enemy turned and fled.Rhino chuckled, but it was only as he ambled back to his bush that he began to feel his injuries.When Rhino returned, Oxpecker was waiting, perched on the thorny bush. "Are you hurt my friend?" he said, and if Rhino's ears hadn't been ringing, he might have heard the hint of hopefulness in Oxpecker's voice."A little. Nothing really, just a few scratches along my neck.""Oh dear, oh dear," said the bird, fussing over him. "You feast on your bush while I fe-- er, clean your wounds."Rhino bent his head down. "Thank you my friend."As he ate, Rhino insensibly ignored the sharp pains caused by the duplicitous bird's eager 'ministrations' as the Redbilled Oxpecker set about earning his name."A good enemy is a better person than a false friend."It is commonly held that the symbiotic relationship between the Redbilled Oxpecker and the large mammals of the African plains, such as the Black Rhino, Impala, and Wildebeest, is mutualistic, that is beneficial to both parties. Recent research has shown that the tickbird's behaviour might not reduce the tickload of such animals, and even that it only feeds on engorged ticks to get the food it really wants -- the animal's blood. This is corroborated by observations of the birds drinking and eating from small wounds on the animals, and evidence of them keeping wounds from healing and enlarging them. Such evidence suggests the relationship actuallymay be parasitic, or that perhaps the relationship itself changes to suit environmental factors.Red-billed Oxpeckers : Vampires or Tickbirds? http://beheco.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/11/2/154The Fable of the Rhino and the Oxpecker by Barry J. Northern is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.0 UK: England & Wales License.Hosted by The Internet Archive, download MP3here.Music by Jeff Wahl from the album, Guitarscapes, track 5 "Reality Check", and track 11 "Waterfall", and provided by magnatune.com

The Fable of the Rock Ptarmiganby Barry J. Northern High upon a rocky outcrop, a Rock Ptarmigan shed its last white feather and so his thoughts turned to finding a lady. Now Rock Ptarmigan men are proud of their fine feathered feet, and their thick plumage, which changes colour with the seasons, but most of all each is proud of his comb, for it is with the quality of his comb that he attracts a lady.Rock worked his way down the outcrop towards his favourite spring, thankful that winter's touch no longer hardened the puddle from which he drank. As he bent down he regarded his comb's reflection. He thought it too small to impress or intimidate, and sighed, for he derived his greatest pleasure from the praise of others, and without it he knew he would strive for nothing beyond foraging for buds and catkins, and drinking from his favourite spring.As Rock worked his way farther down the outcrop, he met a young man parading in front of a lady. Both were younger than he, and Rock was gratified when the man, taking one look at his comb, immediately stood aside and bowed.“My Lord, I will continue to court this young lady's affections only by your leave.”Rock smiled, and so flattered was he by the earnest young man's concession that he too bowed and said, “I grant you my leave, young sir.” His pride was further bolstered by the favouring look the young lady gave his comb as he passed by, and he also fancied he saw a flicker of disappointment pass across her delicate features.Farther on down the slope, Rock spotted a less refined young man leaping around in front of a group of three women, crying, “Look at my comb, is it not the finest comb you ever saw? My ladies, which of you will be lucky enough to be mine I wonder?”Rock smiled at the ladies' barely concealed laughter. “At least I am not as vain as that immodest youth,” he thought,and fluffed his feathers. Then he laughed at himself, for he was wise enough to realise that the very thought made him, in fact, vain of his own superior modesty. He continued on down the mountainside, confident of finding good fighting and fine ladies to be won, and noted with amusement how his spirits had risen as he'd descended the slope. Indeed, it was a good time of year to be a fine Scottish Rock Ptarmigan.The Fable of the Rock Ptarmigan by Barry J. Northern is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.0 UK: England & Wales License.Hosted by The Internet Archive, download MP3here.Music by Tanya Tomkins and Eric Zivian from the album, Beethoven Piano and Cello Works, track 17 Sonata in D Major op. 102 no. 2 Allegro fugato, and provided by magnatune.com

The Fable of the Honey Beeby Barry J. Northern A honey bee worker emerged from her brood cell and immediately set about cleaning, for her new baby sister would need the nursery soon. The Queen Bee inspected her work. "One has not cleaned it well enough. One must try harder."Princess was mortified, for she only desired to be worthy in her mother's eyes. From then on she vowed to work harder than any other worker bee in the hive.Princess and her sisters were eager to see the outside world and smell the flowers, for the source of nectar and pollen must be wonderous indeed, but it is the way of honey bee workers to attend to many tasks before they are old enough to go out and forage.Firstly, Princess nursed her new larval sister, feeding it her own jelly. She enjoyed watching her sister grow, knowing that her elder sister had done the same for her. Before long it was time to ween the new princess onto honey and pollen, and the flow of jelly turned to one of wax.After that, Princess left the brood cell and worked hard to impress her mother. She and the others used Princess' wax to build the combs and seal new honey within its cells.Some of her sisters became attendants to the Queen. Princess was disappointed to not have been chosen, but she worked hard, and contented herself with dreams of flowers.One day, an old forager came home with a substance from the flowers that Princess had never seen before. She took it in her hands."It is sticky.""Yes," said the old worker, "we need you to spread it around the hive entrance. It helps keep the hive clean.""Right away!"Princess rushed to the entrance, eager for her first glimpse at the outside world, marvelling at what other amazing things the flowers might provide. When she got to the entrance, her sisters were busy plastering the sticky stuff around, and such was the intensity of their activity, she felt compelled to join them in earnest and did not stop to glance at the bright outside.As Princess worked she became hot, and she noticed the others around her becoming sluggish. A large entrance guard bee came up to her."The propolis is helping, but we need more water to cool the hive. Go out and fetch some from the leaves outside the entrance."Princess swallowed. "But I've never been outside before."The guard laughed. "There is nothing to it. Just remember to stay away from any stranger bees, for if you pick up their smell my brothers might not let you back in."As Princess walked towards the entrance, she became concerned about the effects of the heat. The mortuary bees could barely lift the dead away from the hive. The feeders struggled to carry honey to the drones in their crops. Worst of all, the fanning bees' wings were flapping too slowly to cool the hive.By the time Princess reached the entrance, her only thought was to collect water, and so on her first foray out into the world, she did not stop to look at the glorious sun in the blue sky, nor at the wide green leaves around the hive, nor the stretches of blue flowers carpeting the floor beneath her.Thence forth, whenever Princess left the hive, first for more water, and as she grew older and flew further, for more pollen and nectar, her thoughts were always bent on the list of tasks she had yet to do. She never once stopped to enjoy the fruit her hard work had wrought.One day, she flew further than ever before, and she began to struggle against the weight of her old body, and feel a creaking in her wings. She landed on a large rose and set about collecting nectar as she had always done. She had heard tell of the beautiful rose, but even so, as soon as her crop was full, she headed straight back.The entrance guard bees waved her through, and when she landed a young princess came and took the nectar and pollen from her. When the worker had emptied Princess' crop she felt no lighter. She tried to move, but she found she could not.A mortuary bee glanced her way a couple of times, and when Princess lay down, she came over."It is almost your time.""No.""You have served the hive well. We honour you. You will rest among the flowers.""I wish to see them."Either her voice had grown weak, or the mortuary bee ignored Princess, for she did not answer her, and walked away to find help.As Princess lay there, she spotted a young worker hurrying out towards the entrance, and remembered the days of her youth. The hive was cold today. Princess smiled when she saw the young worker pause for a moment on the lip of the hive. Even the sun was cold. The young worker was still there, looking up at the sky with wonder in her eyes. The light was fading. The young worker flew out. Princess hoped she would stop to smell the rose.The Fable of the Honey Bee by Barry J. Northern is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.0 UK: England & Wales License.Hosted by The Internet Archive, download MP3here.Music by Eileen Hadidian and Natalie Cox from the album, Dolce Musica, tracks 17 (Star of County Down) and 12 (Lord Gallway's Lamentation), and provided by magnatune.com

The Fable of the Kangarooby Barry J. Northern A young Joey peered out of his mother's pouch for the first time. His eyes were wide with wonder as he gazed out into the world, for it was far larger than he had ever imagined nestled in the warmth and safety of the pouch.Out on the plains, some fascinating creatures were jumping around. "What are those, Mummy?"Flyer looked down at her Joey. "Oh, my son, you are out of the pouch. I think you are too small to come out yet. Why don't you go back inside?""All right, Mummy," said Joey, and settled back down into the warm pouch.The next day, Joey woke up remembering dreams of the open plains and the jumping creatures, and so he poked his head out again. The creatures were real -- he had not imagined them. "What are those, Mummy?"Flyer looked down. "Oh, my son, you are out again."One of those jumping creatures had a small head in its belly. Joey laughed. "They are creatures just like us aren't they?""Yes dear."One of the other Joeys jumped out of its mother's pouch and sprang about around her in delighted circles.Joey laughed again. "Look, Mummy, the other children are playing. Can I come out too?""Oh, my son, those children are bigger than you. You are so small. I think you should go back inside.""But why?""It's not safe, my son.""Why?""The world is not a safe place.""Why?""You are too young to understand my son, please go back inside. You can come out when you're older."Joey watched the other children playing around on the plains. It looked like fun, and he couldn't see anything unsafe, but he was a good boy, so he went back inside.The next day Joey woke up remembering dreams of playing with the other children, but he also remembered what his mother had said, so he stayed inside. After a while, though, he heard the sounds of children playing. He peered out. There they were, having fun, jumping around. He watched them for a while. "Mummy?""Yes, my son?""The other children don't look bigger to me.""I think you are still too small to go outside, dear.""But I--""No arguments. You can go out when you're older. It's not safe."Many weeks passed, but still Flyer did not let Joey play with the other children, and she did have a reason. Once, many years ago, she had heard about a pack of dingoes that had snatched a child away. She had never seen a dingo, but she knew they were fearsome creatures, for everyone said so, and she had vowed that she would always protect her children from such foul creatures.One day, Joey looked out and saw the children playing, and without asking his mother, he leapt out and landed on the ground at her feet. Flyer gasped, but then she saw how big her son had grown, and she felt it in the sudden absence of his weight. "Oh, my son, you are quite big now. I think you are old enough to go out. Remember this though. If you see any strange creatures, just jump back to me as fast as you can. All right?"Joey looked up at his mother and smiled. "All right, Mummy." He looked towards the other children, but stayed where he was."Go on then, my son, off you go.""But, Mummy. Is it safe?""Yes, my son, it is safe. You are big enough to jump now.""But, Mummy?""Yes?""I've never jumped before."Mother was worried, had she kept him inside for too long? She knew in her heart that it was past time for her son to leave the pouch. "Go on, my son. Off you go and play. I won't be far away."Joey took one tentative leap forward and stumbled. He looked back at his mother. "Mummy?""Go on."Joey jumped forwards, slowly at first, but with increasing confidence as he neared the other children. When he got there, Flyer was upset to see the other children shy away from him, for they did not know who he was. She also saw that her son could not jump as well as the others, for they had been jumping for weeks and their legs were stronger.She watched as Joey's jumps became lower and shorter, and before long he stopped playing altogether and limped back to her. The other children pointed and laughed as he climbed back into her pouch and hid.Years later, Joey grew into a strong, young Boomer and had children of his own. He knew about dingoes, but never kept his children from enjoying the open plains, for he wanted them to grow strong and learn about the world. Only once did he ever see a dingo -- a thin and scrawny thing -- lurking around a far off rock, looking at the court with hunger in its eyes. His children recognised the creature, for he had told them about it, and they jumped back to the court on their strong hind legs, as he had told them to do. He knew then that they were far safer and happier than he had ever been as a child. And he also knew that sometimes the only thing to fear is fear itself.The Fable of the Kangaroo by Barry J. Northern is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-NoDerivative Works 2.0 UK: England & Wales License.Hosted by The Internet Archive, download MP3here.Music by Jay AtwoodMale kangaroos are called bucks, boomers, jacks, or old men; females are does, flyers, or jills, and the young ones are joeys.[11] The collective noun for kangaroos is a mob, troop, or court. Kangaroos are often colloquially referred to as roos.

The Fable of the Magpieby Barry J. Northern There was once a magpie who built a nest for himself and his wife. It was a good nest, and they were happy. In their first two Springs they raised healthy clutches, and were proud each time their children left the nest. Yet Husband was not content."Will each year be the same as this?" he asked his wife."Are you not happy then, Husband?"But he only said, "I am, my love," for he did not wish to upset his wife.Later that day, Husband flew abroad searching for something with which to adorn his nest, for it was dull to his eyes, and he wished to improve it. He chanced upon a shiny object, and though he knew not what it was, he admired it, and so flew down to retrieve it in his beak.Back at the nest, his wife looked up at Husband's return. "What have you there, Husband?"He saw his own love for the shiny object reflected in her eyes. "Something to adorn our nest, my love," he said, and worked the object into the walls of their nest. He stood back to admire it, and said. "Now we can truly say our lot is improved."Husband and Wife were pleased with their new decoration, but as time passed they grew accustomed to its beauty until they no longer noticed it.One day, Husband flitted to the edge of the nest, and said to Wife. "I will fly abroad once more and look for something else with which to adorn our nest."Husband soon came back with another shiny object, and for a time it made them both happy. Before long, however, they grew used to it as before, and so Husband once again flew abroad to find something else.This continued until the next Spring, when the urge to make ready their nest for the new clutch came upon Wife. She looked around the nest, and said. "My love, our nest is beautiful, but there is no room for our clutch this year.""Worry not, my wife. What we need is a bigger nest. I will build us one on the other side of the tree." And so Husband spent many days building a new nest, and both he and Wife spent many more days taking their possessions from one to the other, but eventually, after much toil and argument, the new nest was ready.Wife alighted upon the edge of their new home and smiled. "Oh, Husband, it is wonderful." And for a time they were both happy raising their new clutch.It was not long, however, before they grew used to their new home, and so Husband flew abroad again for things with which to adorn it.By the following Spring, the house seemed too small again, and as dull as their first nest had been. As the years went by, no matter how big they built their nests, nor how many shiny objects they adorned it with, the pair were not happy for more than a few days at a time, for they were never content with what they had.The Fable of the Magpie by Barry J. Northern is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.0 UK: England & Wales License.Hosted by The Internet Archive, download MP3here.Music by Eileen Hadidian and Natalie Cox from the album, Dolce Musica - A Contemplative Journey, track 5 "O Pastor Animarum (Arr by Eileen Hadidian)", and provided by magnatune.comMagpies may be more like us than we once imagined: http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/09/27/1096137168806.html

The Fable of the Weaver Antby Barry J. Northern A family of weaver ants chanced upon a fresh young mango tree one day and decided to make it their new home.It was not long before one of the family found a good leaf to begin the work of building a nest. He sought out the edge with his feelers and began to pull. His brothers and sisters saw him at his work and joined in beside him, adding their strength to the effort of bending the leaf, which was many times bigger than they were. They spoke to each other as they worked."We must pull this edge up to the leaf above us.""I will lead a group to that leaf to help receive it.""Collect the younglings, we will soon need their silk to bind the edges.""1 - 2 - 3 - Heave!""You there! Go and recruit more workers!"More of their brothers and sisters came and joined the bustling activity of construction. The chatter and noise of their collaboration created an atmosphere of joyous labour, and soon the leaves were bent close together. It was time for the chaining."Hold on to my waist, brother. I think the gap will take four of us to span.""Reach out and grab my waist, sister, that's it, pull!"Soon a chain of ants spanned the gap, and in this way the family could pull the leaves together so that the binding could begin.Now one of the ants in the chain had been recruited by an eager sibling who had picked him up in his mandibles and brought him there to aid in the task without first checking if he was fit for work. The young ant had been up all night foraging for food, and was tired, and so as the chain made one last effort to bring the two leaves together he became exhausted and cried out,"Help me! I can't hold on!""You must!""Don't let go!"But though the young ant tried to hold on, his tired legs gave way and he let go of his sister's waist.Despite every other ant in the group being strong and fit, once their weakened brother let go, they were unable to hold the leaves together. The leaves sprang apart, spraying the family of ants in a splash of turning bodies, thus illustrating that old proverb,A chain is only as strong as its weakest linkThe Fable of the Weaver Ant by Barry J. Northern is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.0 UK: England & Wales License.Hosted by The Internet Archive, download MP3here.Music by Ricahrd Savino from the album, Mertz - Bardic Sounds, track 7 "Study", and provided by magnatune.com

The Fable of the Glow-wormby Barry J. Northern There was once a glow-worm who emerged out into the world for the first time, and beheld the night sky. While her sisters took their places on the blades of grass to await the menfolk, she stayed gazing at the stars.Before long Stargazer's sisters began to glow and twinkle around her in the grass. To the young glow-worm it was a pretty sight, but not as glorious as the stars above.Now it is the way of glow-worms for the menfolk and womenfolk to each be blessed with a different gift. The menfolk may fly among the heavens, yet are dull to behold. The womenfolk glow like gems, yet are wingless, and must remain among the tall grass. It was time for each of the womenfolk to attract a mate with her beauty, and so soon the evening air buzzed with the flapping of the menfolks' wings.Said Stargazer; "I desire not to be like my sisters, for they live an ordinary life." And so she began to climb the tallest stem she could find, looking up at the stars all the while as if trying to reach them. From time to time she would look back at her tail, and she began to believe it glowed more brightly than her sisters', for the higher she climbed, the smaller her sisters' lights appeared, and the larger her own glow seemed to her.One by one Stargazer watched her sisters' lights go out, for as soon as each one was paired with a mate, she would glow no more, and would settle down to make family with him."Why can't I be like the stars," said she, "and burn all night, high in the sky for all to see and love?"She came to rest at the top of the great stem and thrust her tail high and bright. Many menfolk came to her, but she turned them all away, saying, "I shall not let you dim my light, I must share it with the world."After a time her's was the only light left among the grasses, and seeing only light-less glow-worms crawling beneath her, living ordinary lives, Stargazer believed she must be special like the stars.The night grew cold, and Stargazer began to feel tired, but she would not dim her glow, for she sought to impress those beneath her. Before long a young man, the only glow-worm without a mate, alighted atop the great stem in front of Stargazer.Said he; "Your light is the highest and brightest, and you are beautiful to behold. Will you make family with me?""I will not," said she, "for then I will glow no more and become as dull as everyone else.""Tell me," said he, "how long do you think your beautiful glow will last?""For as long as the stars.""Then what will you do come morning? For the sun outshines them all."Stargazer felt more tired now, and her glow was already beginning to dim. She made no reply.The young man took flight, saying. "I will return again soon. If you then choose not to accept me I will bother you no more."At first, Stargazer scoffed, for the young man was dull, but the more tired she grew, the more his words made their effect on her. She dwelt upon what the future might bring, and when the young man returned, she had the sense at last to agree to make family with him. Though her light went out, she loved her husband, and when her children were born she beheld that the slow-burning fire within her heart was brighter than any star. It was an invigorating light not a tiring one, and it was a light that would never dim.The Fable of the Glow-worm by Barry J. Northern is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.0 UK: England & Wales License.Hosted by The Internet Archive, download MP3 here.Music by Jeff Wahl from the album, Meditative Guitar, track 1 "Lullaby", and provided by magnatune.com

The Fable of the Squirrelby Barry J. Northern There once was a young grey squirrel who became lost in the woods and could not find his way home. He spent a hard year alone casting about for food, for he was used to the help of his family, but in time he learnt well how to eat the spring buds, and later tofind and gather the summer nuts, so that by winter he knew he would live to see the new year.Though Grey had now learnt how to live, it was a lonely life, so when one day he met a black squirrel he became excited and desired to make friends with him."Hello there!" he cried, "How come you are alone in the forest?" But Black hid behind a tree and would not answer. Grey moved closer, slowly, not wanting to alarm the lone squirrel, and it was then he saw that Black was thin and starving.Grey ran back to his horde of acorns and fetched one for Black, hoping then that they would be friends, but when he returned Black was gone.The next day Grey spotted Black again, and this time he did not hide when Grey called out to him. Yet still, when Grey moved closer to offer Black an acorn, the lone squirrel ran away.The next two days were the same, until the third day when at last hunger overtook Black's caution and he took the nut from Grey's paws. Grey stayed nearby, and spoke to Black."How come you are alone in the forest?"But as soon as Grey spoke, Black dropped the acorn and fled, and so Grey knew he would have to be patient, for the poor squirrel was a nervous creature who must have had a much harder life than he.The same happened the next day, and the next, but on the third day Black answered Grey's question. "I fell from my tree and was chased into the woods by a monster, and so I became lost.""Why are you so thin?" said Grey."I used to eat the buds and fruits of my family's tree, but there are no trees like it in this part of the forest, and I do not know what is good to eat."Now Grey was so happy to have someone to talk to that he resolved to lead Black around the forest and show the poor squirrel all the good things there were to eat. For many days Grey lead Black around, and after many more days they became friends.Now one day, to Grey's delight, Black said he wished to try foraging alone, and so Grey stayed home to count the acorns in his horde. He soon found he did not have as many as he reckoned he would need for the winter. It was because he had been leading Black around the forest when he should have been gathering for himself, and so when Black returned with an acorn in his paws, he grew angry and said."You should give that to me, for I have been helping you when I should have been stocking my horde."Black gave the acorn to Grey, and said. "It was a gift to you anyway, for all your help. I will bother you no more." And with that Black left.Grey soon regretted his words, and searched about for his friend, but he never saw Black again. The birds in the trees heard him calling out apologies for his lost friend, and mocked him, singing,"As food is eaten speedily,But very sorely won,So friends are made by many acts, And lost by only one."The Fable of the Squirrel by Barry J. Northern is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.0 UK: England & Wales License.Hosted by The Internet Archive, download MP3 here.Music by Jeff Wahl from the album, Meditative Guitar, track 10 "Alone", and provided by magnatune.com

The Fable of the Carpby Barry J. Northern There was once a school of carp who lived in a slow river with many other water creatures. The river was a beautiful place, full of life, and there was plenty to eat for everyone among weeds, which floated in the clear water.The carp ate well along the river bed, where their favourite food lay, and grew large. Some carp found ways to eat more than others, for they were clever and rooted deep in the mud, and so they became larger more quickly. One carp grew so large in this fashion that he crowned himself king. Even so, he still desired to grow larger, and even began to eat the other fish of the river.Now many of the carp were jealous of King, even while they desired to be as large as he, and so they too rooted deep in the mud and ate the other fish. A few of the carp among them saw that the once clear water was growing muddy, and that there were less kinds of fish in the river than there once were, but most simply desired to grow bigger like those around them.One carp mourned the lost beauty of the river, and so he vowed not to root in the mud lest he help dirty it, nor to eat the other kinds of fish and water creatures, for there were few now left. Yet his efforts made little difference, for all the other carp only desired to grow bigger like their neighbours. He tried to turn the others to his ways, but they would not listen to him, for he was small.One day, King searched for food among the weeds, but found little, and after a time he crossed paths with Small. “Ah,” he said, “a little fish for me to eat.”Small raised his fins. “No, King, you cannot eat me for I am a fish of your own kind.”“But there are no other fish in the river,” said King, and though Small tried to escape, he could not swim as fast as King, and so King swallowed him up. Soon only the largest carp were left swimming with King. No other fish or water creatures played among what was left of the weeds, which were barely visible in the muddy water. King lead the carp on a long swim for a new place to live, but the river only lead to the inhospitable sea, and though some had always said they could live there, they found they could not. So they knew then, when it was too late, that they had spoiled their only good place to live. But still they continued to root in the mud and eat the weeds, for now they were large fish and could not become small again.The Fable of the Carp by Barry J. Northern is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.0 UK: England & Wales License.Hosted by The Internet Archive, download MP3 here.Music by Jeff Wahl from the album, GuitarScapes, track 14 "Allegro in D Minor", and provided by My Podcast Alley feed! {pca-c39023e5ddc790eb138a25ec5c3b5285}

The Fable of the Great Horned Owlby Barry J. Northern There once was a great horned owl who loved to hunt. He became known among the other owls for his great skill, even though his kind were hunters by nature. The other owls loved him, and so it was not long before he found himself a wife and made nest with her.Early in spring the couple's first clutch hatched, and soon five owlets were screeching for food. It was a large family, but Mother did not worry, for her husband's skills meant there would always be plenty for her and her children to eat. Nevertheless, before he set off for work early in the evening, she said to him."I shall miss hunting with you, husband, but I must stay at nest and keep our young ones warm.""Fear not, wife, for I will soon return." And then he swooped off the branch and was lost to the shadows of the deepening night.It was not long before Hunter returned, with food enough for the children. Mother fed her hungry owlets while Hunter flew off to find more food for her. Again he returned quickly, and she said to him."Have you eaten yet, Husband?""No, so I must get back to work.""Will you come back and eat with me? I will wait for you.""I may be some time yet, my love."Now it is the way of their kind for the menfolk to be smaller than the women, so Mother was confused. "Why, husband? For your own meal you need not catch prey so large as this leveret you have brought me, and you caught that quickly enough." "Ah but wife, my fellows have challenged me to hunt the porcupine. They are hard to catch, but they have challenged me and that is that. It will make a fine meal, but I will not be able to carry such a large catch back."Mother was upset that Hunter would not be home to eat with his family, but she knew how much her husband enjoyed the hunt, so she wished him luck. He left in high spirits, and did not return until the sun began to rise; when his wife was already asleep.Now Hunter enjoyed hunting with his fellows, and was proud to be known as the best hunter in the woods. Therefore he hunted long through the night displaying his skill, and accepting their challenges, and so rarely were his owlets awake upon his return, and he did not see them growing, nor did he eat with his wife.One October morning, when the sun had almost fully risen, he returned home triumphant, bursting with news of a tricky bat he had taken when no-one else had been able. He was pleased to find his wife still awake and waiting for him, standing out on the branch facing the low spring sun.Hunter settled next to her and said, "Why are you up so late my wife?""I have been waiting for you."Then Hunter saw the empty nest, and said, "Where are the children?""They are children no longer, husband. Today they have flown away to make their own lives.""But they are not old enough. I was going to teach them how to hunt like their father. Why did they not wait to say goodbye to me?"Then Mother turned to Hunter, and said. "They knew not their father, for he was never here." She shuffled away from him on the branch. "And I no longer I have a husband." And with that she flew from their nest, leaving Hunter to enjoy the fruits of the hunt alone.The desire to hunt left him then, and he remembered his own childhood, and something his own mother used to say came back to him."A family that eats together, keeps together."The Fable of the Great Horned Owl by Barry J. Northern is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.0 UK: England & Wales License.Hosted by The Internet Archive, download MP3 here.Music "October" by The Scottish Guitar Quartet from Podsafe Audio.

The Fable of the Orang-utanby Barry J. Northern Deep in the jungle, a family of young orang-utans played in the trees around their wise old father, who was content to sit and watch from his nest in the branches.Old Man's youngest son stopped by the nest while his brothers played on. He was in high spirits, and said to his father. "Oh, this playing is fun, Father, but I might stop now.""Why stop?" said Old Man, "The day is yet young, and the weather is fine." "Oh, it will be fine tomorrow too. I can play then."Old Man laughed. "Young one, there is a saying 'don't count your chickens before they are hatched', which means don't count on fine weather tomorrow before tomorrow comes. Go now and play."And so Young One laughed and swung off to join his brothers. Now Old Man's eldest son had overheard this, and so he also stopped by the nest, and said to his father. "I have heard all your sayings, Father. I too am wise, see." And so Eldest Son swung among his brothers, dispensing advice. Young One was about to swing onto a branch that Eldest Son saw was too thin, and so he shouted, "Look before you leap!"Then after a time the games of the middle brothers became too rough, for they were trying to hit one another with sticks, and so Eldest Son cried out, saying,"He who lives by the sword, dies by the sword!"Then he spotted Young One again, who had found a branch of figs, and was throwing away the small ones to get to the large."Waste not want not, Young One!"Now as Eldest Son swung about the tree like this, Old Man chuckled. Eldest Son heard him, and his heart filled with pride, for it must surely mean that his father was pleased with him. And so he swung about correcting his brothers all afternoon.Purple evening benighted the jungle, and Eldest Son thought to himself. "It will soon be bedtime, but I am grown now, why should I share a nest with my brothers?" And so he set about gathering leaves for his own nest. His brothers saw him at work, and asked him what he was doing. They were upset to learn he no longer wished to share their nest, yet they loved their brother, and though they did not understand why he wished to be apart from them, they offered to help him make his own nest, for the jungle nights draw in fast. But he would not accept their help, saying only, "Too many cooks spoil the broth."When night came, his brothers were all asleep, and yet Eldest Son's nest was still not finished, for he was used to making bed with his brothers. Old Man came to him then and asked what he was doing."It is time for me to have a nest of my own, Father.""I see. But why did you not accept your brothers' help, for you would surely be finished by now if you had.""But, Father, do you not say, 'Too many cooks spoil the broth'?""Ah yes, but don't I also say, 'Many hands make light work'? Even so, I can understand why a young man would want to build his first nest himself. Why though did you begin building so late?""As you say, father. 'Don't put of tomorrow what you can do today'.""Ah, but do I not also say, 'Look before you leap'?""But I know these things!" said Eldest Son, and then became sullen. Old Man only smiled."You must learn not to take my sayings so literally my son, for they are only a guide, and talk is cheap. You must find your own way in the world, and learn life's lessons as best you can. Sometimes the hard way is the only way.""I think I will never understand, father.""Ah, so now you can see you know less than you once thought. That is the start of wisdom, Eldest Son. But I cannot leave you now without one last saying, for as you know, I am rather fond of them." Old Man's chuckle made Eldest Son laugh."What is it father?"Old Man clapped his son on the shoulder. "This is a truth I think you have learnt today, son. 'There's a difference between knowing the path, and walking the path.'”The Fable of the Orang-utan by Barry J. Northern is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.0 UK: England & Wales License.Hosted by The Internet Archive download the MP3 hereMusic by Solace from the album, The Gathering Season, track 11 "Sudan", and provided by

The Fable of the Blackbirdby Barry J. Northern A blackbird and his new wife flew across the fields searching for a good hedgerow in which to make their home. Long did they search for just the right spot, for it was their first year as yellow-beaks, and they had never before built a nest of their own."How about the thick ivy upon this tree my love?" said Husband."Too small," said Wife."What of this hawthorn. It looks good.""It is too tall, what if our eggs should fall?"They searched the hedgerows for two more days until they found a large, low holly bush. Husband's wings were tired, but he was glad to see his new wife so pleased, for she said it was perfect, and that it would be their home for the rest of their lives.Now it was time for them to build a proper nest for their first clutch, and so, as is the way with blackbirds, Wife set about building the nest while Husband fetched the straw."Husband, do not take the straw from this field, for it is poor. Fly away to the yellow field yonder, for the straw there will make a perfect house, strong and warm."Husband puffed his chest and warbled. "I will fetch the yellow straw, Wife, to make us a proud home."All day Husband flew to the yellow field and back to collect the best straw, and as the sun grew big and low in the reddening sky, Wife yawned and said to Husband. "Away to the yellow field but once more my love, for our perfect home is almost done."Husband flew away with a silent yawn, and aching wings. He hung his head, seeing the straw in the field beneath him, and so thought to himself. "Why must I fly yonder to the yellow field when there is straw all about?"He landed amongst the poor straw. "Wife is right," he thought. "This straw is poor, for it feels weak beneath my feet, but I am tired and it will do. After all, our nest is almost finished."He flew back to the nest, and there found his wife near sleep. "Here is some straw, my Love.""It is not the yellow straw?""No, for I am tired.""As am I, my love. This straw will do then." And so she stuffed the poor straw among the good.Before many days had passed, Wife sat proudly upon their first clutch. But soon the March Winds blew, and Wife said. "It is too cold for our clutch, my love. Can you not fly and find more yellow straw?"Now Husband was rested, and he was glad to fetch more yellow straw, but as he alighted from the edge of the nest the poor straw collapsed beneath his feet, and though they worked fast to stop it, the whole nest fell apart, scattering their first clutch within the holly bush.Now the pair had chosen the bush well, and so not a single egg was broken, and each one lay safe within the bush. But it cost the pair much effort to fetch out the yellow straw and their eggs, and yet more hard work to collect more yellow straw from the far field, and to build a second nest, before they could carry each egg safely to it.Now blackbirds venture not to the sea, and so, of course, they have never heard this old proverb."Don't spoil the ship for a ha'porth of tar."The Fable of the Blackbird by Barry J. Northern is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.0 UK: England & Wales License.Hosted by The Internet Archive download the MP3 hereMusic by Eileen Hadidian and Natalie Cox from the album, Dolce Musica - A Contemplative Journey, track 3 "The Blackbird (Irish Traditional)", and provided by

The Fable of the Starfishby Barry J. Northern Two starfish clung to a rock in the shallows, enjoying the to and fro of the seawater against their tube feet. After a while, one starfish spoke to the other."I am hungry. Let us go and find some mussels to eat."His friend agreed, and so they crawled down the rock and across the sand to where the mussels slept on their rock. On the way, they came to a crevice in a high reef, and Hungry said, "Let us go through this way, for it is quicker."Friend was not sure, and with reason, for soon both starfish were stuck, and as much as they struggled, both had one arm wedged fast within the crevice. Hungry pulled hard and left his arm behind, saying, "It matters not, for my arm will soon grow back." And off he crawled toward the mussels, enjoining his friend to follow."I will follow you soon, brother, for I am almost free." Friend wiggled his arm and with care was able to manoeuvre it out of the crevice without injuring himself. He soon caught up with Hungry, who was already eating mussels on the rock.Hungry and Friend ate together for a while, but Hungry was not satisfied. "Let us go to the top of the rock, where the mussels are bigger."Friend was content, however, saying, "No brother, I will stay here, for these smaller mussels are easier to open."After Friend had feasted a while longer, Hungry came back down the rock, now with only three arms. "What happened to you, brother?""I became stuck in a large mussel, for it was too strong for me. But fear not, brother, for my arm will soon grow back. Let us return to the shallows."Now on the way back to the shallows, Hungry lost two more arms. One he lost to a reef crab rather than walk around it, and the other he lost to a triton shell who had been lurking in the shadows of a short cut. But each time Hungry said to Friend, "Fear not brother, for my arm will soon grow back."Soon the two starfish clung to their rock in the shallows, enjoying the sun on their backs, and the gentle to and fro of the seawater against their tube feet, and as each one's belly was full, they drifted into sleep.When they awoke, the sun was gone, and the to and fro of the sea was no longer gentle. Hungry said, "A storm is coming. Let us find a hole to hide in." But the storm was already upon them, and though they tried, they could not crawl against the surging water. Hungry began to lose his hold upon the rock, and so Friend held out an arm to help."Here, brother, take hold of me."But when Hungry reached out, the angry waters picked him up and washed him onto the heavy pebbles, far away from the shoreline. And though he tried to crawl back to the shallows, he could not, for he only had one arm, and the others had not yet regrown.After that, Friend travelled wide, singing his lamentation to all who would listen.Don't be like the sea star,Washed up upon the shore,For one ounce of prevention,Is worth a pound of cure.The Fable of the Starfish by Barry J. Northern is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.0 UK: England & Wales License.Hosted by The Internet Archive download the MP3 hereMusic by Jeff Wahl from the album, A Light in the Darkness, track 17 "The Sea", and provided by