- Details
- Denis Giles
- Hits: 233
A writer rarely has free time, not because he’s always writing, but that he’s thinking his next article or story or play or plot. But, on those delightfully glorious occasions I find I have that odd hour or two, I pull out a huge volume of short stories by Roald Dahl, and lose myself in his world of fantasy, and unexpected story endings.
I was pleasantly surprised that Dahl is also a favourite author of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak!
- Details
- Denis Giles
- Hits: 206
I pressed the horn, stomped on the accelerator, cursed the driver in the next car and nearly shouted at the traffic policeman. “What’s the matter dad?” she asked.
“I hate being late,” I grumbled.
“D’you know of all the people whose lives were saved because they were late?”
- Details
- Denis Giles
- Hits: 240
The first melody I learned to play on my harmonica as a youngster was the ‘Red River Valley’ and often as I played its sad, melancholic tune, wondered what the lyrics meant. It was only recently I heard the reason behind the strange title, and why the lyrics were written.
"More than two hundred years ago," the narrator said, "hunters from Europe gathered in the forests bordering the United States and Canada, in an area called the Red River Valley where they hunted animals for their fur.
- Details
- Denis Giles
- Hits: 234
Here’s a small story of two brothers who lived side by side in their own farms for many years, until one day, a foolish argument caused a rift between them. This was the first serious disagreement the brothers had in all of their 50 years. Up until that day, they always worked their fields together, shared knowledge and produce, and lent a helping hand to one another in times of need. The fight began over a small misunderstanding, but the dispute dragged on and became an angry exchange of words, followed by weeks of silence.
- Details
- Denis Giles
- Hits: 225
Sometimes we wonder as we see our loved ones in pain, why good people go through suffering. I remember my feelings many years ago, when I heard my dad in the US was diagnosed with cancer:
“Dads cancer,” said my mom’s voice on the phone, “has reached the bone. He’s in pain!”