Stories

ocean view

5/10/2022

Benzine fire sticks and fish don't mix. That's what the Fire Chief said.
Lynval didn't agree.
She liked playing with fire. The hula skirt was an added joy. It was an old thrift one that ruffled in a pleasing manner.
It was clear Lynval celebrated life with an air of the cavalier.
"I only have two rules," she said when asked about her success in life. "If it's got a hook, don't look. And if you're ever being chased by a pack of taxidermists - do not play dead!"
Lynval was a clever fish. A lucky fish. She knew how to twirl benzine. THE END

This picture and story was inspired by Easy Life's song Ocean View off the album Life's A Beach.

flyin' high (in the friendly sky)

4/24/2022

"I want to buy those wings in the shop window," said Enoch.
"They're angel wings," said Big Bob, owner of Big Bob's Flying Circus and Candy Store. "And they're not for sale. Might I suggest the super bounce pogo stick or the In-cine-rator rocket pack instead."
"Those!" said Enoch forcefully. His eyes had picked up a piercing sparkle.
Big Bob was not a big man and he didn't like confrontation. He tried to compose himself.
"The angel wings are for decoration."
"Do you know who I am?" said Enoch.
Big Bob shook his head.
"I'm Enoch." And everything went dark. THE END

This picture and story was inspired by Marvin Gaye's song Flyin' HIgh (In The Friendly Sky) off the album What's Going On.

3WW

4/17/2022

Never try to fool a wolf with strange rhythms. Wolves understand syncopation. This one had grown up on the skittering beats of jazz. Its mother used to sing at the Cotton Club.
"Get your paws off me," she'd say. "Don't you know how to treat a wolf lady properly."
It was clear they did not.
The band were setting up on the purple stage with the kickdrum activated flashlights when the wolf arrived. It could tell they were amateurs. The drummer had forgotten to put rubber stoppers on her kit so it kept running away from her when she played. And the singer had lost his voice. THE END

This picture and story was inspired by Alt-j's song 3WW off the album Relaxer.

start wearing purple

4/12/2022

They called him Dr. Limpy, which was strange because he walked perfectly well. In his satchel were pills, ointments, snake oils, and feathers. With each consultation he lit a stump of Palo Santo and chanted a magic word louder and louder - Bohump, Bohump!
His methods were considered off kilter. When the organ grinder complained of organ fatigue, he said "a potato in the left sock, a pine cone in the right."
When Mrs. Winkytickle came for thrombosis, he said "fragrant flatulence, my dear."
And when the Can Can girls, Sarah and Brugge, inquired about instant fame, he bellowed "start wearing purple!" THE END.

This picture and story was inspired by Gogol Bordello's song Start Wearing Purple off the album Voi-La Intruder.

bad bohemian

4/9/2022

"You said! You said this world was losing all it's lustre."
"I said this world was losing all its lust, er. I stuttered. And don't hold me to everything. I say a lot."
"You do say a lot. You should be careful. You realise each day you're growing old?"
"Noted. But what is age but a number. What I'm interested in is the future, the one that stretches out there between us. You know only you can decide if you want it to be cold. Ah, here are our flapjacks."
Masego and Manuela picked up their knives and forks. "You're such a bohemian," said Masego. And they started to eat. THE END

This picture and story was inspired by Sea Power's song Bad Bohemian off the album Let The Dancers Inherit The Party.

ylang ylang

4/6/2022

There was a dead body on the train when Ylang Ylang asked to board.
"There's a body at the back," said the train driver. "If you're not bothered."
"Whose is it?" inquired Ylang Ylang.
The train driver shrugged. "Does it matter?"
Ylang Ylang shook her head. She needed to catch the train. Her mother was waiting for her arrival. There were gongs to belt and clouds to melt. Besides, she'd seen a dead body before; in the shipyards under the Ylang Ylang trees. In the rain the body had looked quite beautiful, a little like marble surrounded by blossoms. THE END

This picture and story was inspired by FKJ's song Ylang Ylang off the EP Ylang Ylang.

mr. pleasant

4/3/2022

Mr. Pleasant bought a second-hand feather boa from a thrift store.
"Use it wisely, Rhino-man," said the old woman behind the cash register. She tapped her nose mysteriously. "It has magic."
Mr. Pleasant, thinking her senile, nodded and left. But that night, after two glasses of particularly fine 12-year-old port, he put on the feather boa.
Next thing he knew Mr. Pleasant was in the attic fishing out the gnarled disco ball he stole from the Fireman's Gala Dinner. Turning up the Bee Gees, he whooped as he did a conga through the lounge. Life had suddenly become interesting again! THE END

This picture and story was inspired by The Kinks song Mr. Pleasant off the album Something Else.

bazali bethu

3/29/2022

These people we call our parents.
They makes us laugh. They make us cry. They make us clean things, pick up things, behave like them, not behave like them.
They make us who we are.
Sometimes we look back with great fondness. At other times we think, 'what were you smoking!'
These parents of ours who also came into the world with dreams, fears, wishes, wants, ideas, songs, stories. And then became our parents.
These people, our parents, are woven into the very fabric of our existence. THE END

This picture and story was inspired by Black Umfolosi's song Bazali Bethu.

sit around the fire

3/25/2022

"Fire!"
The tiger stopped stealing coconuts and shimmied down the palm tree.
"Water!"
The salamander climbed out from under the wok where it was rehearsing a tap dance.
"Space!"
A rainbow trapped in a prism landed on a dog's butt.
"Earth!"
Pachamama brought harvests of coca leaves and maize. There was a Sunday parade.
"Air!"
One feather - probably from a phoenix, or a goose - dropped from the sky at precisely the right moment. THE END

This picture and story was inspired by Jon Hopkins and Ram Dass' song Sit Around The Fire.

no tony

3/22/2022

"No Tony Macaroni," he bellowed. "No bad jokes today!"
This only spurred them on.
"Hey, Tony, whaddaya call a fake noodle?"
"Yeah, why can't you pick up seafood, Tony?"
"An impasta," said Tony. "No mussels."
These were old jokes. Tony preferred the unexpected ones like the time a customer came in shouting, "Broccoli! Cauliflower! I'm sorry, I've got florets." Now, that was funny!
"Hey, Tony..."
He'd had enough. Tony inflated one hundred balloons with the restaurant's helium cylinder, tied ribbons to them and went outside. "Suck eggs, kids," he said, then Tony floated away. THE END

This picture and story was inspired by Mr. Ozio's song No Tony.