A Bright, Shinning Day at the Park

   Children of all the world run and play in the wooded city park as their parents watch in pairs or small, secluded groups.
   The grown ups read a block of the newspaper, answer a business call, or yell if their child wanders too far ahead of them.
   The children are laughing and leaping further ahead, growing together into young men and women of this world.
   Progress is already here.

A Surprise Wedding for the Reluctant Bride

   "Look, this is serious--I need you to bucker up, put on a nice, pretty dress, and walk out of this house."
  I hate it when my mother is bossy, especially when all she's doing is trying to get rid of me.  "I know you're up to something!  What's going on?  You can tell me!"
   "No, I can't," she shushed me.
   "Why Not?!"
   "Because you are your father's daughter."

What does it mean to be Brave?

   There was a time when I thought I could be brave, but looking at the point of my sword and the beast that stood before me, I knew I was a fool.
   I had never seen a creature like this--with fangs, fur, talons, and eyes red as the blood it has spilt from my dead companions around me.
   A snarl ripped from its snout.
   ... I sheathed my sword.

Irish Morning

   "Wake up," the bearded Irishman growled.  "No lass 'ill be fallin' for a bag-o-hay.  Up with ya," he said as he kicked dirt in the farm boy's face.  
   Caleb spit and raked his hands through his hair, then over his grimy face.  Crystal blue eyes pierced through the soot, "Suppose they'd like me like this, then?"
   "Sure!" the old man grinned.  "It's what they call a facial."