THE CORNER 4 WOMEN

Friday 21 June 2024

"THE TORTOISE & THE MONKEY" by Prose & Poetry

"THE TORTOISE & THE MONKEY"

by Prose & Poetry

Once upon a time, in the heart of the Nigerian rainforest, there lived a clever tortoise named Tobi. Tobi was known far and wide for his wit and cunning. He could outsmart anyone, be it humans, animals, or even spirits.

One sunny morning, as Tobi basked in the warmth of the sun, he overheard the mischievous monkey, Mazi, boasting about his agility. Mazi swung from tree to tree, showing off his acrobatic skills. "I am the fastest and most agile creature in the forest," declared Mazi, his tail twitching with pride.

Tobi, never one to back down from a challenge, approached Mazi. "Dear friend," he said, "I've heard of your remarkable speed. But can you beat me in a race?"

Mazi laughed heartily. "Tortoise, you're slow and heavy. Racing you would be like racing a rock!"

Tobi smiled. "Let's make a wager," he proposed. "If I win, you'll share your ripest bananas with me. But if you win, I'll give you my prized shell."

Mazi's eyes widened. The tortoise's shell was renowned for its beauty and durability. "Agreed!" he exclaimed. "But don't expect any bananas, Tobi."

The race was set. The entire forest gathered to watch. The starting line was drawn, and the signal was given. Mazi shot forward like an arrow, his long limbs propelling him through the treetops. Tobi, on the other hand, moved deliberately, step by step.

As Mazi reached the halfway point, he glanced back and saw Tobi steadily plodding along. "This is too easy!" he thought, swinging from branch to branch.

But Tobi had a plan. He approached a stream that crossed their path. "Oh, mighty river," he called out, "please lend me your strength."

The river spirit, impressed by Tobi's humility, granted his request. Suddenly, the stream surged, carrying Tobi across in an instant. Mazi, unaware of this, continued racing ahead.

When Mazi finally reached the finish line, he expected to see Tobi far behind. But to his shock, there stood the tortoise, smiling.

"How did you beat me?" Mazi panted, catching his breath.

Tobi chuckled. "You see, my friend, speed alone won't win a race. It's wisdom that triumphs. I used the river's help, for it's not about being the fastest but about being the cleverest."

Mazi hung his head in defeat. "You're right, Tobi. I've learned my lesson."

And so, Tobi enjoyed the ripest bananas from Mazi's stash, while Mazi admired the tortoise's beautiful shell.

The moral of the story? In life's race, it's not always the swift who win; sometimes, it's the clever and resourceful who emerge victorious.

I hope you enjoyed this fable!

*********

by Prose And Poetry

Digital Art by Chigbo Douglas

Brought to you by https://thecorner4women.com together with our sister website http://www.nicheebookcollections.com and our growing e-book library available FREE, through our Newsletter sign up page here:-

https://tc4women.nicheebookcollections.com/NEWSLETTER-EBOOK-LIBRARY-SIGNUP.html We now have over 1900 e-books on our library shelves for your reading pleasure, so do come along and check us out.

More articles by Su DeNyme (our resident writer) & John A Elliott are available here: https://www.nicheebookcollections.com/TC4W/ARTICLES.html

ALONE by Shiori X

"ALONE"

by Shiori X

I'm used to being alone. I live alone, travel alone, drink my coffee alone, or eat my meal alone. I am solely responsible for taking care of myself, wherever I go. I am so independent that most people think I do not need anyone in my life or so independent that people often forget to ask me whether I am okay or not. There are lots of people who say that not all those alone are lonely. However, I've become one of those who are lonely for being alone. Even if I tell everyone that I am okay with being alone, there is still a part of me that longs for the feeling of being protected, taken care of, and loved. I still wish to be held when I'm falling apart. I still wish to be heard when I have so much to say deep in my heart. I still wish to have someone I can share my coffee with, or at least someone who will remember to ask me how my day went, even just once a month.

Sometimes, loneliness makes my hands cold. But most of the time, it keeps me up all night and makes me wonder how I would live my life happily. I used to be happy being alone until I've become so unfamiliar with those beautiful feelings that I can only get from others, not from myself. Sure, it is a wonderful feeling to love myself, but sometimes I also wonder how it feels to have someone who loves me or at least cares for me. I wonder how it feels to have someone who brings me coffee, sits beside me and eats with me, holds my hands when they are cold, and holds me between the arms when I can't sleep at night. There is no doubt that I can take care of myself, but sometimes I also wish for somebody to take care of me.

— Shiori X

Art: https://www.instagram.com/_hilllo

https://tc4women.nicheebookcollections.com/NEWSLETTER-EBOOK-LIBRARY-SIGNUP.html We now have over 1900 e-books on our library shelves for your reading pleasure, so do come along and check us out.

More articles by Su DeNyme (our resident writer) & John A Elliott are available here: https://www.nicheebookcollections.com/TC4W/ARTICLES.html

MEET ME ON THE HILL by Becky Hemsley

"MEET ME ON THE HILL"
by Becky Hemsley

The rabbit bounded up the hill

A full moon in the sky

When she heard the howling of a wolf

Which turned into a cry

She bravely climbed the hill

And found the wolf without his pack

Crying out in agony

His legs caught in a trap

And though the rules of nature told her

She should turn and flee

Her kindness then resolved her

To ensure that he was freed

So she released each paw

And then she gently licked his wounds

Pretending not to notice

His reaction to the moon

But all the while she’d never stopped

Looking into his eyes

For she knew these were the windows

To the soul he’d trapped inside

His eyes were fierce and angry

But she watched them slowly change

Through relief and vulnerability

‘Til only peace remained

And then it was his turn

To quite ignore his nature’s laws

To quieten his hungry growl

And put away his claws

“I don’t know how you did that”

Were the words he spoke at first

And she looked down at his paws

To check that none of them were hurt

“Not that,” he said, “I don’t know

How you softened me inside”

And then she whispered just three words:

“I see you,” she replied

They walked for many hours

Counting fireflies and stars

And when the morning sun rose

They were sad they’ve have to part

“Meet me on the hill,” she said

“The hill on which we met

Meet me there this evening

As the sun begins to set”

And both of them considered

Whether it was right to meet

Were there too many obstacles,

Would they admit defeat?

But they both knew that this

Was something they could not ignore

Something beyond nature

That they’d never felt before

So they met upon on the hill

And as the sun set from above

They proved that there is nothing

Quite as powerful as love

*****

This was initially written as a wedding reading request - to tell the love story between a wolf and a rabbit. But each time I share it, it tends to resonate with people who find a little bit of their own story in it

Becky Hemsley 2022

https://www.facebook.com/talkingtothewild

Beautiful painting by The Art of David Joaquin

This is from my second collection https://a.co/d/fvFwBZM

https://tc4women.nicheebookcollections.com/NEWSLETTER-EBOOK-LIBRARY-SIGNUP.html We now have over 1900 e-books on our library shelves for your reading pleasure, so do come along and check us out.

More articles by Su DeNyme (our resident writer) & John A Elliott are available here: https://www.nicheebookcollections.com/TC4W/ARTICLES.html

Thursday 20 June 2024

I'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW by Becky Hemsley

"I'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW"
by Becky Hemsley

“Goodnight my darling, I’ll see you tomorrow”

That is what we always said

As the night swallowed day and the moon made its way

To the darkening sky overhead

But one day my whole world was darkened

As tomorrow for you never came

And so now when I wake, there is only an ache

As I know I won’t see you again

And it’s hard to explain feeling empty

And yet so full of pain all at once

Like a door that’s been closed, yet left open, exposed

Like a spotlight on something that’s gone

And the thoughts of tomorrow are too much

So I’ve come for a walk on my own

And I’m breathing in now, like I’m just learning how

Asking why must I do this alone?

Then I realise that you are beside me

You’re the wind as it kisses my hair

You’re the birds and the flowers, the fresh April showers,

The leaves as they dance through the air

You are everything I can see life in

Like the feathers I find on the ground

And I suddenly see that the world beside me

Is where whispers of you can be found

So I’ll look out for signs that you’re with me

And in time they might lessen the sorrow

And as night swallows day, listen – you’ll hear me say

“Goodnight darling, I’ll see you tomorrow”

*****

Becky Hemsley 2022

https://www.facebook.com/talkingtothewild

Beautiful artwork by Jungsuk Li

(@endmion1 via Instagram)

'I'll See You Tomorrow' is from my book of grief and loss poetry https://amzn.eu/d/1OVAIxN

https://tc4women.nicheebookcollections.com/NEWSLETTER-EBOOK-LIBRARY-SIGNUP.html We now have over 1900 e-books on our library shelves for your reading pleasure, so do come along and check us out.

More articles by Su DeNyme (our resident writer) & John A Elliott are available here: https://www.nicheebookcollections.com/TC4W/ARTICLES.html

I COULD by Joanne Boyle

"I COULD"
by Joanne Boyle

I could cry a pool of tears

when I think about your sorrows.

I could live in yesterday's

and forget all about tomorrows.

I could sit and crumble

when I hear about your troubles.

I could go inside my mind

and find shelter in my bubbles.

Ì could give in to darkness

when I question so much pain.

I could block out all the sunshine

and tread puddles in the rain.

I could lock away my loved ones

when I feel so much fear.

I could lose the sight of hope

but let me make this clear.

The world is bad enough at times,

but at times it's also good.

I turn my head to a future

in the hope I'm understood.

Tomorrow will come regardless

no matter where I hide.

So I chose to face it with a smile

and I find the rain has dried.

Moments walk beside me

and I appreciate that they do.

They protect me from the harm

the storms can put me through.

*********

Joanne Boyle Heartfelt

art by Steffi Krenzek

https://tc4women.nicheebookcollections.com/NEWSLETTER-EBOOK-LIBRARY-SIGNUP.html We now have over 1900 e-books on our library shelves for your reading pleasure, so do come along and check us out.

More articles by Su DeNyme (our resident writer) & John A Elliott are available here: https://www.nicheebookcollections.com/TC4W/ARTICLES.html

THE DOORWAY by Joanne Boyle

"THE DOORWAY"
by Joanne Boyle

I am not gone.

I went behind a door.

So, do not sit and weep

sending your emotions into war.

I have had my time on earth.

I have had many special days.

I have touched so many lives.

I have been blessed in many ways.

I hear everything you say.

I see all of the things you do.

Heaven also has a window

that I often peek through.

You believe the door is locked.

The key is in your heart.

Unlock it at any time

and you will find we're not apart.

*********

Author Joanne Boyle Heartfelt

art by Steffi Krenzek

https://tc4women.nicheebookcollections.com/NEWSLETTER-EBOOK-LIBRARY-SIGNUP.html We now have over 1900 e-books on our library shelves for your reading pleasure, so do come along and check us out.

More articles by Su DeNyme (our resident writer) & John A Elliott are available here: https://www.nicheebookcollections.com/TC4W/ARTICLES.html

GREATEST FEARS by Becky Hemsley

"GREATEST FEARS"
by Becky Hemsley

“What’s your greatest fear?” they ask

We answer right away

But what we’re really scared of

Isn’t what we actually say

‘Cause we’re not scared of flying

But of falling from the sky

And we’re afraid of failing

But we say we’re scared to try

It’s not that we’re afraid to want

But that we’re scared to lose

And we are not afraid to ask

But scared we’ll be refused

We’re not afraid of water

We’re just scared that we could drown

And we avoid the climb

In case we plummet to the ground

We’re not afraid of caves

But of the things that lurk inside

And it is not the dark we fear;

It’s the monsters that it hides

But if we’re scared of trying

Then we’ll never know success

And if we’re scared to hear a ‘no’

We’ll never hear a ‘yes’

If we’re terrified to lose

We’ll likely never win

And if we’re scared of drowning

Then we’ll never learn to swim

So take the deepest breath

And show the monsters you are brave

And maybe you’ll find treasure

In the darkness of the cave

Take the biggest step

And climb the mountain to its peak

Stretch your arms out sideways

And then take the biggest leap

‘Cause, we’re not scared of anything

Except of getting hurt

But life without a little risk

Is not what we deserve

And we can’t miss out on living

‘Cause we’re all too scared to die

For if we’re afraid to fall too hard

We’ll never learn to fly

******

Becky Hemsley 2023

https://www.facebook.com/talkingtothewild

Stunning artwork by @kryukova_daria

"Greatest Fears' is from Letters from Life https://amzn.eu/d/hre52WW

https://tc4women.nicheebookcollections.com/NEWSLETTER-EBOOK-LIBRARY-SIGNUP.html We now have over 1900 e-books on our library shelves for your reading pleasure, so do come along and check us out.

More articles by Su DeNyme (our resident writer) & John A Elliott are available here: https://www.nicheebookcollections.com/TC4W/ARTICLES.html