Shirley Medhurst

“JACK O'LANTERN: The story behind the legend” by Shirley Medhurst

Submitted to Contest #221

This is the true tale behind the legend of Jack O’Lantern. But before I begin, I’d like to share with you, if I may, a few little-known facts about Halloween.Nowadays, many people believe that this is an American concept, although there is no mention made of it in U.S. history until after the arrival of over two million Irish migrants escaping the great famine at the start of the nineteenth century. Since then, many of the age-old customs the Irish brought with them have been modifi...

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“INDUSTRIAL UNREST AT THE AGM” by Shirley Medhurst

Hard to say when it initially started. Grumbles and mumbles of discontent within the ranks have been circulating since well before 2019, the year those massive bushfires raged throughout Australia, but they’ve always remained very low key—until this year, that is.The Annual General Meeting of the I.U.E. & Co. (International Union of Elves & Company), which is always held in a different location, has just taken place on the first of December. By rights, this year’s AGM ought to have been in Qatar, but in view of the World Cu...

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“A Suffragette and the Black Friday Protest of 1910 ” by Shirley Medhurst

Ruth was late. Lost in London’s West End, she searched frantically for the address where the Women’s Social and Political Union meeting was taking place. Eventually, between a laundry and a grubby haberdashery shop, she spotted a tiny hand-painted plaque marked ‘Alan’s Tea Rooms’ with an arrow pointing upwards and she entered the shadowy doorway, climbing the steep flight of narrow stairs with relief. From the open doorway floated a muted hum of chatter and the clatter of crockery. A tantalising aroma of h...

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“A DIFFICULT DECISION” by Shirley Medhurst

Contains references to self harm & suicide. ***Six weeks ago, I received the best present I could ever have hoped for. The answer to my prayers from over a decade. Today is the eleventh of September, 2022, my Big Day at long last. When I received the fabulous news, I highlighted tod...

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“An Alternative Midsummer Night's Dream” by Shirley Medhurst

Submitted to Contest #99

I would like to share with you a secret dating from many moons ago. A secret for your ears alone, mind you. This is the true story behind the events which would later inspire a man named Shakespeare to compose one of his most famous and well-loved tales.It was the afternoon of the sacred summer solstice, the longest day of the year, although back then, it was known under the Olde English name of ‘Sunstede’. Niamh of the Golden Hair was feeling the irresistible itch to do mischief. Since arriving to...

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“The Old Elm of Gorbio” by Shirley Medhurst

Submitted to Contest #90

Speaking to you from the peace and tranquillity of these my golden years, I would ask you to spare me a minute or two from your busy lives to listen to the ramblings of an old elm. I was planted here in the heart of my village in celebration of the Treaty of Utrecht some three hundred and eight years ago, although to be honest, I cannot remember much about that event, or any of my sapling years. In fact, I never really celebrated my birthdays at all until my third centennial, a...

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“Who's Kidding Who?” by Shirley Medhurst

Submitted to Contest #47

“May I be of any assistance?” You swing round from the row of adverts in the window to see a handsome young salesman dressed in the inevitable crisply-pressed suit and tie, towering over you. The most startling turquoise-blue eyes twinkle down at you and the term ‘stunning’ springs to mind. No doubt a result of reading too many romance novels, you scold yourself. Stop it! After all, you are here on business.“Erm, yes please. I’m looking for a…. I ...

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“You, Me & a Man Named Bill” by Shirley Medhurst

Submitted to Contest #47

The Police called to tell me what had just happened to you. My phone clattered to the pavement as I sank to my knees, the humdrum sounds of the busy street fading into oblivion. A foggy greyness hovering at the outside edges of my vision grew darker and thicker, and then there was only blackness! And silence! “Stand back, give her some room!”

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“MORAL DILEMMA” by Shirley Medhurst

Submitted to Contest #35

Bruce was the one to raise the alarm by refusing to come back to either of the girls despite their whistles, shouts and offers of treats. He had scarpered as was his norm the moment they had let him off the lead, but usually he did not stray too far or for too long. By the sound of it, he was down by the river below the footpath.“You’d better go and get him Liz,” ordered Sara, “He’s your dog.”Exasperated, Liz s...

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“My Confusion” by Shirley Medhurst

Submitted to Contest #34

I am a little confused, I must say, with what has been going on around here recently. My daily routine seems to have gone to pot. A typical day in my life always used to start with a very hasty, brisk trot around the block, just to get the old morning ablutions over with, so to speak. We would usually time it so I could pal up with Lola and her man for a brief tail ...

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“Waiting For The Rainbow” by Shirley Medhurst

Submitted to Contest #34

When a person is confined indoors, every day is just another rainy day. Today, I am that person. I am sitting in the room where some of you might have been sitting for some time now. The room where others amongst you might only find yourself sitting tomorrow. Then, and only then, will you begin to ponder on life’s absurdities the way I find myself doing right n...

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“ A PARTNERSHIP WITHIN THE GARDEN” by Shirley Medhurst

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #31

A modest little house stands alone, surrounded by a disorderly sea of green. Not that its garden is completely unkempt, but it is hardly a neatly regimented English garden, nor is it a beautifully manicured Mediterranean oasis. It is chaotic, colourful and cheerful.   Behind the house, small square paving stones lead upwards past a pergola which leans over t...

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“BLURRED REALITY” by Shirley Medhurst

Submitted to Contest #30

What am I to do? The door to the secret passageway I found earlier has vanished. I have already tried searching for the catch with one hand hidden surreptitiously behind my back whilst pretending to drink from my water glass. The entire painted wall is now a seamless solid panel. Access that way has been cut off! Whilst brushing my hair I use the opportunity to toss my head around, trying to appear nonchalant, but frantically scanning every corner of the room for other ideas.

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