THE ALMOND TREE (a 55-word story)


Sleeping Zeus accidentally impregnated Gaia, the earth goddess.

Their offspring, Agdistis, possessed both genders.

The gods castrated Agdistis, creating the goddess Kybele.

Agdistis’ manhood fell to earth, growing into the almond tree.

A nut from its branches dropped onto nymph Nana’s lap.

And she became pregnant.

She bore a son, Attis, who became Kybele’s lover.



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ONE HUNDRED RINGS (TO ONE THOUSAND AND ONE NIGHTS) (a 55-word story)


From atop a tree, the brothers spied the genie raising a strongbox out of the water.

He opened it, revealing a stunning woman, who sang the genie to sleep.

She ordered the brothers to make love to her, or she’d wake up the genie.

Afterwards, she demanded a ring from each.

She counted hundred rings.



Aiberico Collina

THE LION’S SHARE (a 55-word story)


King Thespius had fifty daughters of marrying age.

And a plan.

He charged Hercules to kill a lion that terrorised the locals.

Every day, Hercules would hunt but find nothing.

And every night, Hercules would console himself by making love to a different daughter.

“How many days have passed?”

“Fifty, your Majesty.”

“Release the lion!”



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THE VOW (a 55-word story)


After a three-year siege, Alboin, king of the Langobards, vowed to kill all inhabitants of Ticinum (Pavia) for their resistance.

Approaching Ticinum, his horse stopped and wouldn’t move.

A knight suggested Alboin break the vow.

The moment Alboin agreed to show mercy, the horse moved again.

But crossing the city gates, it collapsed and died.



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Stories Unearth What We Bury

Ancient Coffer of Nuri Bey is a story that rotates around an ancient chest, whose power lies in the mistery of its contents.

Certain stories, and this is one of them, reveal what we conceal from ourselves.

And they do this by reflection.

Some phrases resonate with us louder than others, lending new meaning to the story.

Often the truth they disclose about us is not flattering.

But this makes them all the more valuable.

Ultimately, these stories help us discover who we really are.

If we let them.



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Ancient Coffer of Nuri Bey by Idries Shah

Nuri Bey was a reflective and respected Albanian, who had married a wife much younger than himself. One evening when he had returned home earlier than usual, a faithful servant came to him and said:

"Your wife, our mistress, is acting suspiciously. She is in her apartment with a huge chest, large enough to hold a man, which belonged to your grandmother. It should contain only a few ancient embroideries. I believe that there may now be much more in it. She will not allow me, your oldest retainer, to look inside."

Nuri went to his wife's room, and found her sitting disconsolately beside the massive wooden box. "Will you show me what is in the chest?" he asked.

"Because of the suspicion of a servant, or because you do not trust me?"

"Would it not be easier to just open it, without thinking about the undertones?" asked Nuri.

"I do not think it is possible."

"Is it locked?"

"Yes."

"Where is the key?"

She held it up, "Dismiss the servant and I will give it to you."

The servant was dismissed. The woman handed over the key and herself withdrew, obviously troubled in mind.

Nuri Bey thought for a long time. Then he called four gardeners from his estate. Together they carried the chest by night unopened to a distant part of the grounds and buried it.

The matter was never referred to again.



Source: http://www.spiritual-short-stories.com/spiritual-short-story-278-Ancient+Coffer+of+Nuri+Bey.html#sthash.IO4FVizj.dpuf

THE TEACHER (a 55-word story)


He was a famous archer looking for a teacher.

He spotted an arrow in the exact centre of a target painted on a tree.

And then another.

And another.

And so on.

He met a man.

“Did you do this?”

“Yes.”

“Teach me.”

“It’s easy; I shoot the arrow and paint the target around it.”




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THE GIFT OF THE GODDESS (a 55-word story)


Priestess Cydippe needed to reach Hera’s temple for a service.

Her sons, Biton and Cleopis, pulled Cydippe’s cart because the oxen were missing.

After five miles, they collapsed on the temple steps.

And fell asleep.

Cydippe prayed that Hera bestow upon them the greatest of gifts.

So they died in their sleep.

Worshipped as heroes.



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HELL’S DOVES (a 55-word story)


Gianciotto was always too busy.

Even to marry.

So Gianciotto married Francesca by proxy, his brother, Paolo, taking his place at the wedding.

Soon after, Gianciotto left for battle, and Paolo read together with Francesca.

Reading of Lancelot and Guinevere, their passion exploded.

One day, Gianciotto caught them making love.

And killed them.

Hell’s doves.



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ARE YOU THE FERRYMAN? (a 55-word story)



“Are you the ferryman?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Here are your coins.”

“They’re not enough.”

“Wait! I’ll do anything! I must get across!”

“Alright, but you row.”

“Alright.”

“Stop here. Only one person can get off this boat. And, today, that’s me.” says the ferryman, leaping off the boat.

“What about me?”

“You’re the new ferryman.”



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HOW LONG IS A PIECE OF STRING? (a 55-word story)


"...A piece of string! How long’s a piece of string?”

“Long enough.”

“Are you sure it’s not going to snap?”

“Yes.”

“What if it’s not long enough? What if it snaps?”

“You worry about killing it, and let me worry about getting you out of there.”

“If I don’t make it back…sail without me, Ariadne.”



Alberico Collina