PROGRAMME FOR LAUNCH OF YSTRADGYNLAIS CREATIVE WRITING GROUPS FIRST ANTHOLOGY OF COLLECTED STORIES – ‘500 WORDS’

WHERE: YSTRADGYNLAIS LIBRARY

WHEN: TUESDAY 13 JUNE 7PM

HOW CAN YOU HELP – BUY THE BOOK OR KINDLE ON THESE LINKS – Kindle https://amzn.eu/d/eaEFi40 Hard Copy https://amzn.eu/d/aSVFdjr

POST A REVIEW HERE – https://www.amazon.co.uk/…/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_wr_but_lft…

Come to the launch and HEAR & SEE

Introduced by Lazarus Carpenter

1. Stairway to Heaven – written and read by Paula Wales

2. Serendipity – written and read by Jo Paine

3. Mega Proud Woman – written and read by Rosalind Mary Gough

4. In the Arms of Morpheus – written and read by Matthew Gough

5. Hours after the Wedding – written and read by Opal Wales

6. The Violin – written and read by Jane Levi

7. Reggie the Rampant Rooster – written and read by Adrian Levi

If you can’t get to the launch in person why not join us on Zoom

Lazarus Carpenter is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Ystradgynlais Creative Writing Group – Book Launch – 500 Words Anthology of Collected Stories at Ystadgynlais Library

Time: Jun 13, 2023 19:00 London

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89393166360…

Meeting ID: 893 9316 6360

Passcode: 401590

Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kbwhWM7R0e

The Dapper old Fox

A Children’s Story by Lazarus Carpenter

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

Once upon a time, in a quaint little cottage, Mr. Fox sat at a wooden table on his veranda, wearing a stylish fedora and sipping on a hot cup of tea. The sun was shining bright, and the birds were chirping so sweetly, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere that Mr. Fox enjoyed immensely. Mr. Fox was a dapper and sophisticated character who enjoyed the finer things in life. He had a love for cream teas, which he enjoyed often on his veranda, accompanied by the stunning views of the countryside.

His cottage was surrounded by lush greenery, and the scent of fresh flowers filled the air, which made his tea time even more enjoyable. Mr. Fox’s tea set was a beautiful sight to behold. The porcelain cups were adorned with intricate designs, and the silver teapot was polished to a shine. He poured himself a second cup of tea and added a dash of cream, which he stirred delicately with a silver spoon. As he took a sip of his tea, he closed his eyes and savored the creamy taste that filled his mouth. It was a peaceful day, and Mr. Fox was enjoying his solitude. He took another sip of his tea and looked out into the distance, admiring the beauty of the countryside.

Suddenly, he heard a rustling sound coming from the bushes nearby. Mr. Fox cautiously looked over the edge of the veranda and saw a group of rabbits hopping along the grass. Mr. Fox was delighted to see the rabbits and invited them to join him for tea. The rabbits were a bit hesitant at first, but Mr. Fox’s charm and warm hospitality soon put them at ease. They sat around the table with him, and Mr. Fox poured them each a cup of tea, which they sipped on with delight. As they enjoyed their tea, Mr. Fox and the rabbits chatted and laughed, sharing stories about their lives and experiences. The sun began to set, and the sky turned a beautiful shade of orange and pink. Mr. Fox and the rabbits sat in silence, admiring the stunning view as the sun disappeared behind the hills. It was a beautiful day, and Mr. Fox felt grateful for the wonderful company he had. As the rabbits hopped away, Mr. Fox sat back in his chair, feeling content and happy. He took one last sip of his tea, and with a smile on his face, he retired to his cottage, ready for a peaceful night’s rest.

Lazarus Carpenter

‘Dracul the Dragon who ate too many cakes!’

Short Story for Children by Lazarus Carpenter

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

Once upon a time, in a far-off land called Dan yr Ogof, there lived a dragon named Dracul. Dracul was known throughout the land for his love of cakes. He would eat any cake he could find, whether big or small, rich or plain, and he would eat them all day long. But as he ate more and more cakes, Dracul began to notice that he was getting bigger and bigger. He didn’t mind at first, but soon he realized that his size was becoming a problem. One day, as Dracul was flying over the village, he heard some children talking about him.

“Look at that dragon,” said one child. “He’s so big, he can hardly fly!”

The other children laughed and pointed, and Dracul felt ashamed. He knew he needed to make a change. Dracul decided to go on a diet. He stopped eating cakes altogether and instead started eating healthy foods like fruits and vegetables. At first, it was hard. He missed the taste of cake and would sometimes sneak a bite when no one was looking. But as time went on, he began to feel better. He had more energy, and he could fly higher and faster than before. The villagers noticed the change in Dracul too. They saw that he was no longer as big as he used to be and that he was flying with more grace and ease. The children even started to cheer for him as he flew overhead. Dracul was proud of himself for making the change. He had learned that too much of a good thing can be bad and that it’s important to take care of oneself. He still loved cake, but he knew that he could enjoy it in moderation. From that day on, Dracul lived a happy life in Dan yr Ogof. He flew through the sky with ease, enjoying the beauty of the land below him. And sometimes, when he was feeling particularly happy, he would bake himself a small cake as a treat. But he always made sure to share it with his friends, because he knew that sharing a treat with others was the best way to enjoy it.

Lazarus Carpenter

‘Graig y Graig – The Dragon whose love of bourbon saved his life in more ways than one’

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

Lazarus Reads a Book by the River

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.