Introduction
This collection is a collection of seventy stories, each 280 words. They were inspired by the first picture seen on my Twitter feed on a given day.
Mike had never been to this part of the woods. He'd never gone this far in. He hadn't realised they spread so far. But he had to keep going for somewhere in the distance he could hear music. It was getting louder now.
The woods were getting wilder. Pathways were now covered up. His legs, bare from the knee down, were covered in scratches. The trees grew close to each other here. It looked as if they hadn't been managed for centuries.
He found himself in a clearing. There was the piano and its player, surrounded by a sizable audience. They were all stocky figures. The player finished one piece and they clapped. Mike joined in. A man near to him turned to face him - except it wasn't a man - it was a - bear?
Mike's mouth went dry and his heart started to thump. What was this? Bears in evening dress and one of them playing piano? Mike started backing away.
"We don't usually see your kind in these parts," said the bear. "But you are most sincerely welcome. What do you think of Alberto's playing?"
He must be dreaming, mustn't he? Bear couldn't dress or speak so elegantly, let alone play the piano. Had he eaten something that had upset him? Had he been on the jungle juice again? He couldn't remember taking anything but maybe he had.
"Come come," said the bear. "You look like a chap who would appreciate fine music."
The pianist started up again and Mike turned and began to run. He didn't stop until he was back at the familiar main road in and in sight of the number 136 bus.
About the author
Gill James is published by The Red Telephone, Butterfly and Chapeltown.
She edits CafeLit and writes for the online community news magazine: Talking About My Generation.
She teaches Creative Writing and has an MA in Writing for Children and PhD in Creative and Critical Writing.
http://www.gilljameswriter.com
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