Under the Quilting Frame

Under the Quilting Frame

Under the quilting frame, hidden away, Hemmed in by big ladies’ feet, The fireplace crackling and blazing near-by With welcome and comfortable heat, Big ears had I, in my snug little cave With biscuits and bacon to munch, With the quilt for my ceiling, I listened real hard To this busy and talkative bunch. What […]

Fly, Owlbert!

Fly, Owlbert!

Fly, Owlbert! Owlbert liked his dark, cozy home in the old oak tree. It was comfortable; it was warm. He slept all day and at night, Mama and Papa Owl brought him tasty morsels. What more could one small owl ask? “It’s time to learn to fly, Owlbert,” Mother owl hooted softly. “All little owlets […]

What Was That Thing?

What Was That Thing?

The Canebrake Don’t ever go into the canebrake at night When the wind is wild and the moon shines bright. When the birds are still and the river moans, And the cane stalks rattle like old, dry bones. You might encounter an Anjeofust, A strange, weird critter the color of dust, Or a Benleeb or […]

Three Brave Hens and a Fox

Three Brave Hens and a Fox

Myrtle, Minerva, and Maude were three good friends. Each week, they met at one of their houses to share tea, a bite of something sweet, and the latest news. Myrtle was a beautiful hen with red feathers; Minerva was equally lovely in feathers of brown and Maude’s feathers were a gorgeous, snowy white. To be […]

The Not So Nice Mice

The Not So Nice Mice

The Not So Nice Mice A Fable By Blanche Day Manos The hundred year-old barn was home to a cow, a rooster, some hens, and a mule who pulled a plow. The days they spent in working; each one did its best, and when the sun sank from the sky, the animals wanted rest. But, […]

Buz and the Star

Buz the Fox   You see, it might have happened this way: once upon a time, about two thousand years ago, some foxes dwelt in the hill country and plains around Bethlehem. I hate to tell you this, but it was their custom to follow, at a discreet distance, the flocks of sheep that shepherds […]