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August 18, 2005

Volume 5, Issue 18

When I was young, my mother used to subscribe to a weird magazine called Man, Myth and Magic.

Use the concept of those three things together in a story today.

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The man had only the old legends to keep him company as he trudged along the road, one weary step after another. The ancient stories told by his people since time began, stories of heroes, gods, and demons.

Over and over, he replayed them in his mind. Step by step, word by word, they distracted him, so that he did not notice his aching muscles or the blisters on his heel.

With each tale, the distance markers crept by.

The man wondered just how far he had walked when he suddenly remembered: a myth was as good as a mile.

Posted by: Elisson at August 18, 2005 2:49 PM · Permalink

One of the most persistent, if implausible, bits of folklore circulating among the Margaret Colonies is the concept of "men". These are described as truncated women missing their wombs, (hence the name) but instead having between their legs a flesh-and-bone vibrator. Then, to pile impossibility upon impossibility, these mythological creatures supposedly have the miraculous ability to induce in a woman a pregnancy, with no need for egg extraction, DNA blending, fertilization induction, and implantation. Like most myths, this one cannot withstand scientific scrutiny. Where would the genetic material of the partner-mother come from in one of these magical pregnencies, hm?

Posted by: Jeff R. at August 18, 2005 4:43 PM · Permalink

He came, as he always did, when she felt her sorrow was more than she could bear. One moment she was alone in her bed; the next moment he was there, caressing her, kneading the taut muscles in her back and shoulders, soothing and comforting her. He made her feel whole again.

As always, he warned her not to look as he left. She could not contain her curiosity, though, and turned to see as he reached the door. The huge bear turned and looked back at her; she could have sworn it was a look of sorrow and disappointment.

Posted by: hnumpah at August 18, 2005 7:27 PM · Permalink

"Manhattan is top-heavy," said Lozier, grinning. "It will fall into the harbor. I still can't believe they bought it."

"Oh, they bought it," said De Voe, counting bills from the construction fund. "They bought our solution, too: sawing the island in half, like a magician might saw a lady in half. It's pitiable, how they invest in magic. But fortunate for us."

"You think they'll catch us?"

"No," said De Voe. "When they realize they've been had, shame will keep them from passing on the story. This scam will become just another urban myth, and we will become mythical men."

Posted by: G-Do at August 18, 2005 10:02 PM · Permalink