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Short Stories




Hothouse Lizzards Part 1 by D G Williford Voodoo, New Orleans, Spanish Moss, etc... all the things that everyone wants to read a... [2,641 words]
Flower Taboo by William S Patten Novice.... looking for feedback. [711 words]
Losing Mrs. Jefferson by Shelley J Alongi In 1782, Thomas Jefferson was summoned by Congress to serve in france as the new United S... [2,277 words]
Wheatley's Last Wish by Drakeman Robert Kincaide Continuation to previous entries. [3,119 words]
The Unloved Woman by Emmie Sinclair A sad tale about the life of a homeless person, people we often forget. [585 words]
The Leprechaun's Gift by Carrie Landes A short story about a girl and how a little leprechaun teaches her a lesson. [964 words]
The Horror Of Existence by Sunny Musings on a shitty moment in time. [573 words]
The Heart Behind The Shield by Sara Roggy There's a heart behind every lie, every temper, and every shield. [770 words]
Peggie by Robert Levin My chance to cross gross obesity from the list of body types I hadn't yet scored. [1,519 words]
Nothing's De Facto by Ben S D If your the type of person who hates stories with no eventual ending, then I sincerely apolo... [2,682 words]
Night In Antigua by D G Williford Part one of a slighted warrior bent on revenge towards his derelict father... [194 words]
Missing Pieces by Ian Goodall An unusual event happens aboard a space ship called the Basilisk. An engineer finds himself in a... [696 words]
Desk Lunch Part 6 by D G Williford Life goes on in the cubicle world... [136 words]
Desk Lunch Part 4 by D G Williford On the way to postal... [303 words]
Dear Stepdad by D G Williford A stepson realizes what it takes to be a caretaker. [256 words]
Cmon You Can Tell Me by Sunny Let's compare notes on our moms and dads... [523 words]
Desk Lunch Part 5 by D G Williford She has totally lost it, but you guess... [153 words]
Words.Enter.Head.Write.Something.Good. by J L Watts The story of someone who struggles to find anything decent to write. It'... [1,013 words]
Tunnel Vision by Gerald E Sheagren This story, my very latest, entitled "Tunnel Vision", deals with a man's uneasy relationship with... [7,587 words]
Tsp - Part Two by David B Doc Byron The hit is set up. [456 words]
Tsp Part Three by David B Doc Byron The hitman kills time while awaiting the big day. [506 words]
Tsp Part Four by David B Doc Byron The hitman decides to go through with it. [272 words]
Tsp - Part Five by David B Doc Byron The moment finally arrives. [515 words]
Tsp - Interlude by David B Doc Byron See if you can make the connection. [143 words]
Tsp - Epilogue by David B Doc Byron The hitman is still haunted by his past. [399 words]
The Running by David B Doc Byron A man left alone after a holocaust reflects back on his former life. [437 words]
The Pursuit by J L Watts A dark story that I'd like feedback on concerning the twists and vampire elements. My darkest work ... [1,877 words]
The Messiah by David B Doc Byron A small town youth grows up to be the anti-christ. [331 words]
The 2nd Party - Part 0ne by David B Doc Byron An ex-hitman reflects back on the job that changed his life forever. [295 words]
Sweet Revenge by Ashley Mowery Story of lust, romance, and revenge. [498 words]
Quiet by Christopher Syrett - [217 words]
No Hesitation by Amelia R James ‘I don’t care how it gets done. I just want it done and I want it done now! Am I clear?’ said th... [3,628 words]
Moses And The Parting Of The Red Sea by Rowan Davies A story adapted from the greatest work of fiction ever written. I would se... [796 words]
Jesus Christ Superslacker by Rowan Davies The happy work of a contented atheist. [686 words]
Getting Gas by Ashley Mowery A young girl questioned her boyfriends commitment to her. As a result, she finds herself in a terri... [318 words]
From Riches To Rags by Nicole Mowery She lived in a well to do neighborhood with well respected parents. Her life couldn't have ... [1,827 words]
Desk Lunch Part 3 by D G Williford The sales rep continues with her day... [314 words]
Desk Lunch Part 2 by D G Williford The same but more.... [346 words]
Desk Lunch Part 1 by D G Williford A middle aged sales rep deals with the confines of her life. [390 words]
City Of The Dead by David B Doc Byron The original story that inspired the poem ''Book of the dead.'' [407 words]
A Rural Tragedy by Nik Siromah - [986 words]
A Spontaneous Arrival Of Exalted Fancy by Bob M Ra - [908 words]
Variation On A Theme In The Key Of - Part Ii by Erik Sjoen - [5,231 words]
The Wooden Box
The Optimist Club by David B Doc Byron Its a surprise. [395 words]
The Locket by D G Williford You tell me.... Please read and review... feel free to comment! [880 words]
The Killing Ground by Gerald E Sheagren A short story. [2,196 words]
The Keepsake by D G Williford Love Story... read and review... come one come all! [837 words]
The Extraordinary Stillness by Bob M Ra - [547 words]
The Eland by Martin Glenpool A story of a young khoi-san boy's coming-of age. [637 words]
Rooms Ana Houses Of Haunting by Serepx A story bout the ghosts of a forgotten past. [2,967 words]
Queenie Takes The Match by Gerald E Sheagren This story is set in 1903 New York City, which, by far, was a lot more dangerous place ... [3,828 words]
People Are Talking by Erik Sjoen - [1,161 words]
Mist Walkers by D G Williford How I feel every time I visit a new cemetary... [112 words]
Malaise by B C Mercer The tale of a troubled and depressed young man. [1,408 words]
Joe And The Woman by Elicia Marie Berg A narrative of a romantic relationship. [1,245 words]
Heaven Or Hell by B C Mercer A Reverend encounters events he never dreamed would happen to him and his family. He questions ... [5,708 words]
Destiny's Fate by B C Mercer An inspirational revelation of two young lovers in a foreign land. [1,699 words]
Crash by Matthew Mohan A short "out-n-back" story involving a teenager's struggle with responsibility, action, alcohol, and wait... [4,243 words]
Big Hit At The Lone Wolf by Gerald E Sheagren Having the two largest and most profitable casinos located in Connecticut, I often hea... [2,333 words]
At Nite With Liv by Serepx A short story about a girl with intense bloo eyes. [3,674 words]
A Crown Hath Promised by Keri McGriff - [156 words]

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TITLE (EDIT)
The Wooden Box
DESCRIPTION
Lesson in shared grief through an antique box.
[509 words]
TITLE KEYWORD
Motivational
AUTHOR
D G Williford
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Don't hate me because I'm crazy!
[August 2006]
AUTHOR'S OTHER TITLES (54)
A Rose In Winter (Poetry) Love that never bloomed... written in 1991 about a relationship that wasn't meant to be. [253 words]
About My Sisters (Poetry) Life is short... just ask Doc and Judith...I am very close to my sisters and wanted to pay tribute to them... [95 words]
All Hallows Eve (Poetry) ....graveyard play. [72 words]
Braided Belt From Hell (Short Stories) Frustration of trying to get to work on a rainy day... [393 words]
Bruises (Poetry) [55 words]
Buried Alive? (Poetry) Daylight dreaming and no way out. [89 words]
Chest Of Pain (Poetry) What happened to me but not this bad to make me quit smoking... it stinks, but so did I then. [69 words]
Daddy Where Art Thou? (Poetry) Poem about my daughter and her birth father.... [179 words]
Dear Stepdad (Short Stories) A stepson realizes what it takes to be a caretaker. [256 words]
Desk Lunch Part 1 (Short Stories) A middle aged sales rep deals with the confines of her life. [390 words]
Desk Lunch Part 2 (Short Stories) The same but more.... [346 words]
Desk Lunch Part 3 (Short Stories) The sales rep continues with her day... [314 words]
Desk Lunch Part 4 (Short Stories) On the way to postal... [303 words]
Desk Lunch Part 5 (Short Stories) She has totally lost it, but you guess... [153 words]
Desk Lunch Part 6 (Short Stories) Life goes on in the cubicle world... [136 words]
Dragonfly Mile (Short Stories) Whimsical flight of fantasy reality as a young woman tries to find her lost... you tell me... [191 words] [Fantasy]
Floaters (Poetry) Beware of things that fly peripherally... [118 words]
Garden Of Bones (Poetry) What lies beneath the backyard? [107 words]
Hothouse Lizards Part 2 (Novels) Voodoo, soul searching and Spanish moss.... [949 words]
Hothouse Lizzards Part 1 (Short Stories) Voodoo, New Orleans, Spanish Moss, etc... all the things that everyone wants to read about... [2,641 words] [Horror]
Howling Dog (Poetry) What I hear tonight with senses heightened... [107 words]
Is It Real Or Is It Memorex? (Short Stories) You tell me... [82 words]
It's That Time Of Year (Poetry) Memories, smells, sounds of Christmas to a young girl. [197 words]
Looking At The Moon (Poetry) Waiting for my lover...I wrote this about 12 years ago and I gave it to my husband for Valentine's Day after we were married... [149 words]
Madness Amongst The Dust (Poetry) Ssshhh! [81 words]
Man And A Tree (Poetry) What happens in a relationship when a man tries to contain a woman and not let her be herself. [215 words] [Relationships]
Mark Of The Beast Part Three (Short Stories) The saga continues with a gal stuck in Armageddon. [174 words]
Mist Walkers (Short Stories) How I feel every time I visit a new cemetary... [112 words]
Mold Or Old? (Poetry) A woman faces her fears of growing old... [116 words]
My Curse (Poetry) A woman is plagued by other's sights... [266 words]
Night In Antigua (Short Stories) Part one of a slighted warrior bent on revenge towards his derelict father... [194 words]
Nightmare At Brushy Creek (Short Stories) While sleeping dreams become reality... [106 words]
Nocturnal Juices (Poetry) Sexual demon encounter. [103 words]
Procrastination 2003 (Poetry) Waiting can be the death of you. [87 words]
Pull Of The Tides (Poetry) Lovers searching... who knows. [246 words]
Roachtrap (Poetry) Like sticky glue the roach is caught! [125 words]
Rutapottamus (Poetry) I think I saw a Rutapottamus... [114 words]
Smoke Lover (Poetry) Hint of smoke, love ? [68 words]
Take Me To The South (Poetry) Simple diddy re the South. [187 words]
The Countess Of Storymania (Poetry) Everyone knows. [13 words]
The Cubicle (Short Stories) Working in a box and what is does to the psyche... [104 words]
The Evil Root (Short Stories) Manna Madness runs rampant. [165 words]
The Hidden (Poetry) - [27 words]
The Keepsake (Short Stories) Love Story... read and review... come one come all! [837 words] [Relationships]
The Locket (Short Stories) You tell me.... Please read and review... feel free to comment! [880 words]
The Lost Garden (Poetry) Lost History. [129 words]
The Machine (Poetry) Sensitive abortion piece from the baby's viewpoint [160 words]
The Mantel (Poetry) Leaving your heart on the mantel.... and more. [160 words]
The Presidents (Poetry) Twisty and hidden.. You tell me.. I'll let you know if you're right. [122 words]
The Talking House (Poetry) Echoes of old earth and stone.. are you listening? [107 words]
The Tree Of Life (Poetry) I have a tree in my backyard that I'm sure is the center of the universe... There is a suburbia of animals et all living there... Please Read... [119 words]
Tick Tock (Poetry) Betrayal.... [55 words]
Wanderlust (Poetry) You guess... vampire... or lover??? [150 words]
White White Wonderland (Poetry) A short poem scaling seasons from childhood to adult... [134 words] [Motivational]
The Wooden Box
D G Williford




I was walking through the woods one December afternoon. My little
angel had been gone for almost a year now. As I walked, I was aware
of so many sounds; the crunching of the leaves under my feet, the
scurrying of squirrels rushing to store their winter feasts, the
birds flitting above my head, and then I saw it. There half buried
in the leaves and rotten tree limbs was a wooden box. I ran over
and pushed the leaves aside and held the box in my mittened hands.
It looked to be very old and worn. Who had this box belonged to?
What special memories were hidden inside? I decided to trek back to
the house and open it there in front of the fire with some hot
cocoa.

I shook my coat off, dumped my boots at the door and poured some hot
cocoa. Sitting cross-legged in front of my roaring fire with the
anticipation of a child on Christmas Eve, I opened the wooden box.

The bright light hitting my eyes almost blinded me. There was a
cracked mirror glued to the top of the box that reflected my
tear soaked face back to me. I didn't even realize I was crying.
Inside was a note to a daughter from her mother. The pages were
yellowed with age and some of the words were no longer legible but I
could still make out the most of it. The letter was explaining to
the baby that the mother would hold her in heaven and that Jesus
would watch over her until she could be with her. I knew that this
woman was probably now with her little angel and she had been
through the same thing that I had.

Tucked under the letter was a lock of hair, a pink ribbon and a
broken piece of glass. I was curious, so I read on. I understood
the lock of the child's hair and the ribbon, but not the piece of
glass. The letter stated that the day the mother lost her child in
grief she had thrown the baby's First Christmas ornament against the
wall, splintering it into a million pieces. After she calmed down,
she fell to her knees and tried to retrieve the broken pieces. She
cut her hand on one of the pieces and as the blood ran down her
hand, so did the tears on her face.




In the months to come, the mother took her great-grandmother's keepsake box and tucked the treasures safely inside. But the most important item
was the piece of glass that brought blood, tears and release to a
heartbroken mother.

I leaned back on my hassock and took a deep breath. I felt like I
was not alone in my grief anymore and that a woman who lived long
before me had shared so much of herself with me.

I'll never forget that day in the woods. The box is a permanent
fixture on my mantelpiece and it will be given to my children when
they get older.

 

READER'S REVIEWS (1)
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"This feels like a sweet, simply written memoire. There were a couple sentences which I thought could be reworded slightly such as 'I was curious so I read on'. It isn't necessary to say she was curious because we can gather from the story her interest. It could be potentially improved by including emotional language and a couple more details at the beginning when she was walking through the woods so that we get a better feeling of her isolation and grief. Thanks for letting me read it. " -- Offpill.

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COPYRIGHT NOTICE
© 2003 D G Williford
STORYMANIA PUBLICATION DATE
April 2003
NUMBER OF TIMES TITLE VIEWED
2450
 

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