26 Comments
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Victor D. Sandiego's avatar

Darn. I forgot to say I love your artwork too. It's been jumping out at me lately. Multi talented. And I forgot (too many distractions here sometimes with 3 dogs demanding dinner) to say I'm glad Albert learned to read and write and save the day!

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Brian Reindel 👾⚔️'s avatar

Thanks, Victor, I appreciate the additional feedback. I hope to continue with the artwork since I'm not always writing at a weekly pace now. I feel like it adds something unique to the stories, even if the images aren't directly related.

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Claudia Befu's avatar

Fantastic story, I loved the twist.

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Brian Reindel 👾⚔️'s avatar

Thank you, Claudia! And thank you for the recent subscription. You're my 300th!

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Claudia Befu's avatar

Wow 🤩 that’s cool! Thanks as well for the subscribe (you’re my 130th) and I’m looking forward to reading more stories.

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Alexa Tuttle's avatar

I love fables! Great job 👏

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Brian Reindel 👾⚔️'s avatar

Thank you, Alexa! Fables were a big part of my childhood and I really enjoy writing them.

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Tom Pendergast's avatar

I enjoyed it despite my misgivings. Is it that you cast a spell on me? 😉

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Brian Reindel 👾⚔️'s avatar

I'm just that good 😂

Fables require a different mindset going into them, that's for sure. It's like when I go back and read an author from the early to mid 1900s. The language, culture and storytelling technique grab us differently.

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Tom Pendergast's avatar

I think this story helped me understand that I bridle at any use of the “supernatural” in a story. Because I like you, I stick with these and they’re actually teaching me to appreciate the genre more.

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Brian Reindel 👾⚔️'s avatar

I do enjoy writing science fiction more because I feel like it offers a larger emotional stake in a grounded reality, even when there are heavy speculative elements, so I understand. Fantasy is an opportunity to explore world building for me more than anything. I'm glad to bring you along for the ride for any of these and appreciate your feedback!

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J. M. Elliott's avatar

Really enjoyed this. So many nice sentiments at the heart of this story :-)

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Brian Reindel 👾⚔️'s avatar

Thank you, J.M.! I'm glad you enjoyed reading it and thanks for letting me know.

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Ben Woestenburg's avatar

A great story, Brian. Another one I could read to my grand---d'oh! I forgot I don't have any. I really have to talk to those kids. But I loved it all the same.

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Brian Reindel 👾⚔️'s avatar

🤣 It's the perfect time to remind them! Most of my stories can cross age boundaries, but a few are probably 13+. This one I wrote specifically for a middle school that I will go speak to for reading month (March). We will read it together.

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Bill Adler's avatar

What a fun fable!

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Brian Reindel 👾⚔️'s avatar

Thank you, Bill! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

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Victor D. Sandiego's avatar

A lovely tale. Thank you Brian.

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Brian Reindel 👾⚔️'s avatar

Thanks for reading, Victor!

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James Ron's avatar

Wow! A fable. Very nice.

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Brian Reindel 👾⚔️'s avatar

Thanks, James! You might also like:

https://futurethief.substack.com/p/the-huntsman-and-the-fox

Or:

https://futurethief.substack.com/p/kingdom-calling

Both are also fables. I enjoy writing them and up until recently The Huntsman and the Fox has been a fan favorite.

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Meg Oolders's avatar

Great story, Brian. My only qualm was the king's advisor's appearance. Must we despise all dark haired, pale faced men for eternity?! Severus Snape, Wormtongue, Jafar, Loki, the list goes on. Is there some historical significance to this? Are pale, dark-haired people just inherently evil because they don't get enough vitamin D? Perhaps you were just staying true to the spirit of fables past. But man, I'd love to see a blond, blue-eyed, rosy cheeked villain in a story like this someday. You have my blessing to write it. 😊

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Claire Walster's avatar

I am not well-versed in the land of fables, so this was a different kind of read for me. Thanks for expanding my reading horizons! And great artwork at the beginning too!

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Jim Melvin's avatar

Wow, this was very well done! Thank you.

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Justin Deming's avatar

Excellent story, Brian! I enjoy your fables.

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njakins@me.com's avatar

I loved the Fable Brian! Your writing skills are excellent. I don't know you personally but I have noticed a change in you. Your energy has heightened.

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