Author: lazaruscarpenterauthor

A short story by Lazarus Carpenter

Image courtesy of Gill Brooks https://www.gillsplace.com/

Once upon a time, in a far-off land, there lived a dragon named Graig y Graig. He was known throughout the land for his love of bourbon and was often seen staggering around with an empty bottle in his claws. Graig was a heavy drinker, and his love for bourbon had become an obsession. He would spend all his time hoarding and consuming bottles of the finest bourbon he could find, often causing chaos and destruction in his drunken stupor. Despite his love for bourbon, Graig was a fearsome dragon who was feared by all who lived in the nearby villages. His fiery breath could melt even the strongest of metals, and his sharp claws were able to tear apart anything in his path. One day, a brave knight named Sir Lazarus ap Powys, decided to put an end to Graig’s drunken rampages once and for all. Armed with his sword and shield, he rode his trusty steed Cwtch, toward the dragon’s lair. As Sir Lazarus approached, he could hear the sound of bottles clinking and Graig y Graig’s stertorous breathing and loud snoring. Sir Lazarus carefully crept towards the sleeping dragon, hoping to catch him off guard. But as he got closer, he realized that the dragon was in a most terrible state. Graig y Graig had drunk so much bourbon that he was completely passed out, his claws still clutching an empty bottle. Sir Lazarus couldn’t bring himself to slay Graig y Graig in his vulnerable state. Instead, he carefully took the empty bottle from Graig’s claws and replaced it with a note. The note read,

“Dear Graig, please consider seeking help for your terrible drinking problem. Your love for bourbon is causing harm to yourself and those around you. Sincerely, Sir Lazarus ap Powys.”

When Graig y Graig awoke, he was surprised to find the note in his claws. At first, he was angry and defensive, but as he read the words over and over again, he realized that Sir Lazarus was right. Graig decided to seek help and went on a journey to find a wise old dragon Tan y Mynedd, who was known to help those in need. The old dragon taught Graig y Graig the importance of moderation and self-control and helped him overcome his addiction to bourbon. From that day on, Graig y Graig was no longer known for his drunken rampages. Instead, he was respected for his newfound wisdom and self-control. He even became a mentor to young dragons, teaching them the importance of moderation and the dangers of addiction. In the end, Graig y Graig realized that his true strength came not from the number of bottles he could consume, but from the ability to overcome his weaknesses and become a better dragon.

Lazarus Carpenter

A Short Story by Lazarus Carpenter

Image courtesy of Gill Brooks https://www.gillsplace.com/

It was a beautiful summer day, and the sun was shining brightly over the river. The sound of the flowing water was soothing to the ears, and the cool breeze carried the scent of nearby trees. The perfect day for a relaxing afternoon by the river, and that’s exactly what Lazarus had in mind. He packed a few snacks, a bottle of water, and his favorite book, and headed towards the river. He found a secluded spot under a tree, laid down his blanket, and began to read. The book he was reading was an old classic, one he had read many times before, but it never failed to captivate him. As he immersed himself in the story, he lost track of time. Hours passed, and the sun began to set.

Lazarus had not moved from his spot and was still engrossed in the book. It was only when the last rays of the sun disappeared behind the horizon that he looked up and realized the time. He packed up his things and started to head back home, but as he walked, he noticed something strange. The world seemed different. The trees, the grass, the sky, everything had changed. It was as if he was seeing the world for the first time, and it was beautiful. Lazarus realized that he had been so engrossed in the book, he had forgotten about the world around him. He had missed out on the beauty of nature, the sound of the birds, the rustling of the leaves, the wind in his hair, and the warmth of the sun. He had been so focused on the story that he had missed out on the beauty of life and nature as it should be experienced.

From that moment on, Lazarus made a promise to himself. He would never forget the beauty of the world around him, and he would always take the time to appreciate it. He would continue to read his favorite books, but he would never let them consume him to the point where he forgets the beauty of life. Lazarus who read a book by the river learned an invaluable lesson that day. He learned that it’s important to take the time to appreciate the world around us and not let anything consume us to the point where we forget about the beauty of life. To flow as a river and be the river through time full of unconditional love, is a lesson that we can all learn from and apply to our lives. As the book closed on this eventful day he wondered what tomorrow may bring but was content with the ‘now’ as we all should be.

Image by Gill Brooks https://www.gillsplace.com/

Once upon a time, there was a man named Lazarus who lived in a small village surrounded by a dense forest. Lazarus was a poor man, but he was content with his life. He had a small house and a small farm where he grew his own food. He spent most of his time in the forest, hunting and gathering fruits and vegetables. One day, while wandering in the forest, Lazarus stumbled upon a strange house that he had never seen before. The house was nestled deep in the forest, surrounded by trees and shrubs. It was an old, rustic house that looked like it had been abandoned for years. But as Lazarus walked closer to the house, he felt a strange energy emanating from it. It was as if the house had a life of its own. Curious, Lazarus decided to investigate.

As he approached the door, it swung open so he walked inside. To his amazement, the house was overflowing with magical objects and artifacts. There were books with ancient spells, potions, and artifacts that Lazarus had never seen before. The walls of the house were covered with paintings of mystical creatures and landscapes from another world. Lazarus was fascinated by the house and its magical contents. He spent hours exploring every corner of the house, studying the books and strange unknown objects. Learning how to cast spells and brew potions, he discovered that the house had its own magical powers, and it could grant wishes to those who sought its help.

Over time, Lazarus became more and more skilled in magic, and he began to use his newfound powers to help the people of his village. He healed the sick, brought rain to the crops, and even summoned a bountiful harvest during a famine. Word of Lazarus’s magical powers soon spread throughout the land, and people from far and wide came to seek his help. They came with all sorts of requests, from healing illnesses to finding lost loved ones. Lazarus became a revered figure, and his fame grew with each passing day. But he never forgot the magical house in the forest. He knew that it was the source of his powers, and he continued to visit it regularly. As he grew older, he began to teach others the art of magic, and he passed on his knowledge to a new generation of magicians. In the end, Lazarus became known as the greatest magician of all time, and his legacy lived on long after he was gone. But for those who knew him best, he was simply Lazarus, the man who discovered the magical house in the forest and used its powers to make the world a better place for everyone.

VOLUME ONE OF A SERIES OF FIVE

THE STORY OF ‘PABLO THE PROVIDER OF PIXIE PICNIC PARCELS PACKED WITH POACHED PARSNIP PRODUCTS’

DEBBIE EVE – ILLUSTRATOR