The Beggar's Gift

Thoughts, words, and deeds have consequences, good and bad. These stories reflect people's actions in various situations––prejudice, poverty, fear, looking different, and the helpless elderly. One may recognize a bit of Aesop's Fables, Ten Commandments, Beatitudes, and the Golden Rule. The Beggar's Gift: an ironic tale about paying attention to the things in life that really matter. David: a humorous fantasy on mores, its elements plausible in a well-thought-out way. Saving Myself: A teenage couple is faced with parental religious bigotry. Picture Man: a suspenseful story that builds on fear that leads to a revelation followed by a surprising conclusion. The Guardians: an elderly woman hides her life savings as her daughter threatens to place her in a Home if she doesn't give it to her.