Stories and Paintings
I was talking to a friend that knows way more about art than I do, and he explained to me how paintings tell us things about the artist. It was fascinating. He showed me a painting with some peaches, and apparently the fruit was set out in a playful manner, indicating the artist’s humour. A... Continue Reading →
“Okay, so, this is the final scene—Jane returns to the field where they found the treasure at the start of the movie. You can see the big tree there. So, we see her driving along the road here, and she has a new haircut, something shorter, so you know it has been a year since... Continue Reading →
The Greeks are good at everything. I’m no history expert, but they seem to pop up at the top of every major list. You’ve got Socrates and his crew leading the way in philosophy, Alexander was the great military commander, the Spartans were unrivalled warriors, Homer is the great-grandfather of our literature, Pythagoras is a... Continue Reading →
Whenever there is a drought or a cyclone or a fire or a flood somewhere here in Australia (which is often), the television news will run a story featuring footage of (depending on the disaster) dry paddocks with cracks in the dirt, uprooted trees, smoke-reddened skies or a car being swept away in an overflowing... Continue Reading →
Sonny laid the garland on the block of wood in front of the straw bed where Ivan sat. “Ivan,” he said in a loud voice, “you are the new chief rooster—you are king of the chickens! Please lower your head so I may place the Royal Garland around your neck.” Ivan bowed and stretched his... Continue Reading →
By the dam, the duckling pecked at the little black box lodged in the mud among the reeds. On one side of the box a square screen lit up, and a tiny arrow flashed in the corner. The duckling leaned in and squinted at the screen; it showed a dark, almost black picture which the... Continue Reading →
The hens went before Ivan, plucking grass and small flowers and tossing them into the air; the chicks raced in circles, singing and cheeping. The roosters followed behind. Sonny was last of all. He looked aside and saw ripples weaving through the long grass behind the henhouse. Movement at the henhouse door caught his eye;... Continue Reading →
Ivan peered into the shed. “Well, let’s have a look then.” “No, wait,” said Sonny. “I don’t want to spoil the surprise.” Ivan stepped in. “I don’t care for surprises.” Sonny followed him. “Well, remember, I’ve only just started. There’s more to do.” “Damn right there’s more to do,” said Ivan. He looked around the... Continue Reading →
Long into the evening, clucks filled the henhouse as the chickens talked of Rocco and wondered what tales of adventure he would bring when he returned. Some wondered if he would return. Only two chickens had nothing to say about Rocco’s adventurous flight: Ivan, who had left the henhouse, grumbling to himself; and Sonny, who... Continue Reading →
