A collection of twenty short stories that draw on the traditions of fantasy, fable and fairy story to offer a highly original take on our modern world. Can you imagine the unexpected consequences of driverless cars or a world without pain and suffering? What are the limits for athletics and biotechnology or human intelligence? And how are we to live in a world of mixed messages and double standards? These questions and many others, inspired by the contradictions of modern life, are the driving-force behind these tales. Deceptively simple, often dark and always thought-provoking, these are stories that will stay with you long after you have finished reading them.
Inside, you will find . . .
JAMES WATT AND HIS NEW INVENTION
In which the inventor of the steam engine, a Native American chief and a contemporary climate scientist meet up . . .
THE SUPERHUMAN OLYMPICS
In which a young boy gets a chance to fulfil his childhood dream and participate in a new kind of Olympics . . .
THE UNNAMED TERROR
In which a daughter learns something important from her dying mother . . .
THE HUNTERS
In which some hunters come to a decision about their responsibilities to their tribe . . .
THE HEALTHY COUPLE
In which a couple get to experience the 'benefits' of a longer life owing to their rigorous diet and exercise programme . . .
ONCE UPON A NANOSECOND
In which an accident involving a driverless car leads to a happy ending . . .
THE BOY WHO WANTED TO PUT ON WEIGHT
In which a young boy leaves his village to put on weight . . .
THE BIG BAD WOLF
In which a village decides to deal with a wolf that committed a crime . . .
THE APPLE TREE
In which the legend of the apple which fell on Newton's head is explored . . .
ANIMAL RESCUE
In which a TV animal rescue team are presented with a horrible sight . . .
THE HIGHLY INTELLIGENT MOUSE
In which a very intelligent mouse persuades his fellow mice to pursue ground-breaking research . . .
THE MAN WHO GAVE UP READING
In which a man gives up reading to pursue more immediate pleasures . . .
THE SMART DRUG
In which a scientist creates a drug to enhance intelligence . . .
WORLD WAR III
A Christmas story, in which humanity finally finds a way to solve conflict through non-fatal means . . .
GEORGE AND THE DRAGON
In which a princess finally finds a dragon . . .
THE VERDICT
In which a man applies the Christian principle of forgiveness to a crime . . .
THE WEDDING
In which a grandfather finds a way to explain a horrifying act of violence . . .
THE PHILANTHROPIST
In which a businessman finds a way to help others . . .
THE VERY GOOD COUPLE
In which a morally upright couple have no experiences . . .
ART IN UTOPIA
In which a perfect society finds a way to create truly great art borne of suffering . . .
Inside, you will find . . .
JAMES WATT AND HIS NEW INVENTION
In which the inventor of the steam engine, a Native American chief and a contemporary climate scientist meet up . . .
THE SUPERHUMAN OLYMPICS
In which a young boy gets a chance to fulfil his childhood dream and participate in a new kind of Olympics . . .
THE UNNAMED TERROR
In which a daughter learns something important from her dying mother . . .
THE HUNTERS
In which some hunters come to a decision about their responsibilities to their tribe . . .
THE HEALTHY COUPLE
In which a couple get to experience the 'benefits' of a longer life owing to their rigorous diet and exercise programme . . .
ONCE UPON A NANOSECOND
In which an accident involving a driverless car leads to a happy ending . . .
THE BOY WHO WANTED TO PUT ON WEIGHT
In which a young boy leaves his village to put on weight . . .
THE BIG BAD WOLF
In which a village decides to deal with a wolf that committed a crime . . .
THE APPLE TREE
In which the legend of the apple which fell on Newton's head is explored . . .
ANIMAL RESCUE
In which a TV animal rescue team are presented with a horrible sight . . .
THE HIGHLY INTELLIGENT MOUSE
In which a very intelligent mouse persuades his fellow mice to pursue ground-breaking research . . .
THE MAN WHO GAVE UP READING
In which a man gives up reading to pursue more immediate pleasures . . .
THE SMART DRUG
In which a scientist creates a drug to enhance intelligence . . .
WORLD WAR III
A Christmas story, in which humanity finally finds a way to solve conflict through non-fatal means . . .
GEORGE AND THE DRAGON
In which a princess finally finds a dragon . . .
THE VERDICT
In which a man applies the Christian principle of forgiveness to a crime . . .
THE WEDDING
In which a grandfather finds a way to explain a horrifying act of violence . . .
THE PHILANTHROPIST
In which a businessman finds a way to help others . . .
THE VERY GOOD COUPLE
In which a morally upright couple have no experiences . . .
ART IN UTOPIA
In which a perfect society finds a way to create truly great art borne of suffering . . .
