First, a little explanation. I love fiction. A lot. A couple years ago, I started telling some silly stories to my daughters before bed. Recently, I thought, “I could do better. I should write something.” Whether or not that’s true, I’ll let you judge. Actually, you won’t be able to judge because you won’t ever see in print the asinine stories I come up with at 8:47 pm after dealing with a bathtime crisis and preparing for the peeing, cuddle, and water emergencies to come over the next few hours. But you can take my word for it–the bar is low.
To complete the effort, I’m excited to introduce an illustrator friend of mine, Matthew McFarland, with whom I’ve been dreaming about writing some children’s fiction for some time. He is gracing each episodic story with some of his brilliant original artwork you’ll see as a thumbnail and in the body of the text. Each story will be around 500 words, or about a 3-minute read-aloud.
Finally, perhaps you are thinking, “This is not what I signed up with. I came here to listen to Justin drone on about identity and the Bible. That’s it.” Good news! You can unsubscribe, then simply go back to the website, and resubscribe. An option will pop up as to whether you want to get “all content,” or just “nonfiction”, or even just “fiction.”
Thank you for bearing with the long preamble. I’m pleased to introduce you to the Woodland Smugglers.
The Woodland Smugglers:
Episode 1: “The Unlikely Friends“
Finnick the fox was making his way down to his favorite fishing spot at Lake Turpin. He stopped. Someone was in his spot!
It was a mouse, reeling in a fish. Finnick watched in wonder as the mouse pulled in a trout at least three times his size, then wrestled it into a cooler.
“That was quite a catch!” Finnick said. “I’m Finnick.”
“I’m Maximus,” said the mouse.
“Where are you taking the fish?” asked Finnick.
“Maybe I want to take it straight to the Independent Otters. Who’s going to stop me? You?” Maximus asked.
“If you were,” Finnick said, feeling surprised at the bold mouse. “I’m not sure I would tell everyone that.”
“Why not?”
“Didn’t you hear the order of the Great Grizzly? He declared that all fish in Lake Turpin belong to him? And in order to eat any or fish here, you have to submit to his rule and pay him a tax?”
“Yes, but it’s a lot of rubbish. I’m glad the Independent Otters won’t do it.”
Finnick stared at the mouse in wonder. Maximus closed his cooler up, wondering how much longer the fox was going to bother him.
“Well, maybe,” Finnick began softly. “And…please understand, I’m saying maybe, as a possibility…if someone were to agree with you—about the law not being a good one, and wanting to support the Otters, and all that…I wouldn’t say that to everyone.”
“Why not?”
“Because the Great Grizzly, well, he’s awfully great…meaning big. At least, so I’ve heard. I’ve never seen him.”
“I’d cut him down to size,” said Maximus, waving a short stick he had sharpened to a point on one end. “If he leaves me alone; I’ll leave him alone. Now excuse me,” he pushed by.
Finnick hurried after.
“But…but…” Finnick said wringing his hands. “The Great Grizzly has lots of woodland creatures who work for him!”
“Ah-ha!” Maximus spun around and whipped his pointy stick out again. “And you’re one of those creatures, is that it?” He danced back and forth, tracing zig-zags in Finnick’s face.
“No, no! But others foxes are…I guess I’d like to help you.”
“You? You are going to help me?” Maximus lowered his stick and narrowed his eyes.
“Yes. I know a secret path to the Otters. If you give me the trout, I’ll take it there.”
“Ha! Unlikely. How do I know I can trust you? You show me the path and I’ll take it,” Maximus said.
“How do I know I can trust you? You’d make a big scene on the path! Then they’d discover it.”
The two stared at each other, untrustingly.
“Together?” Maximus suggested.
“Together,” Finnick agreed.
They delivered the trout that afternoon, both amused at finding a very unlikely friend.
21 comments
Bill Walsh
The quality art picturing characters adds much. Good message for kids. Our libertarian mouse exhibits healthy skepticism accepting help from the fox to bypass a tyrannical tax from the bear. Seems like mouse and fox got away with a common sense beneficial transaction for all parties except the tyrant.
Justin N. Poythress
Thanks Bill! I love a good story of rebels finding a way to thwart the evil empire 😀
Lorraine Lease
Delightful! I was hoping for more. I like the artwork too. Thank you for sharing. Blessings. L.
Lorraine Lease
Delightful! I was hoping for more. I like the artwork too. Thanks for the intro into your writing. Blessings. L.
Justin N. Poythress
Thanks very much, Lorraine! You’ve been a great encouragement in my fiction writing process.
Jeff Moore
You had hinted at wanting to do this in the past, but I wasn’t expecting this in my inbox today. Thanks for sharing. I’m looking forward to the next episode.
Justin N. Poythress
Thanks so much, Jeff! It’s been quite a long time coming, but I’m hoping to build out at least ten or twelve over the next year. Thanks for the encouragement!
Bob Sexton
Nice work, Justin…time to continue the story!! ;0)
Justin N. Poythress
Thanks, Bob. Stay tuned–more is coming!
Chip Kalleen
Wonderful story, Justin with a profound message. Great job!
Justin N. Poythress
Thanks so much, Chip! Glad you like it! It’s been a blessing and a lot of fun for me so far.
Karen
Fabulous!
I can’t wait to read more!
Wonderful illustration, wow!!
Justin N. Poythress
Thanks so much, Karen! It’s been a real blessing to find and work with Mat.
Brenda Atkinson
Loving feisty Maximus! Can’t wait to see what this unlikely duo does next. Great job Justin!
Justin N. Poythress
Thanks Brenda! It’s been fun developing their dynamic, and I’m excited to share some of their next adventures!
Carol Schultz
I love it!
Justin N. Poythress
Thanks!
Karlen Kochar
Keep writing!
And the artwork is wonderful!
Justin N. Poythress
Thanks, Karlen! I know, I was really impressed with Mat’s work when I sent some work to him earlier, and I was very excited to collaborate on this.
Andy Newell
Enjoyed episode 1. Thanks for sharing. Our church has a reading ministry to a public elementary school across the street from us, and I’m always looking for good stories to use that convey Christian values without overtly proselytizing. Will your stories be available in book form one day?
Justin N. Poythress
Thanks, Andy! I certainly hope so. The publishing world can be hard to navigate, so I decided I would take these direct to my blog to publish, then see if I could get some interest in an anthology down the road. Let me know if you know of anyone!