Horton Tarot Card

The Teapot

Jamal and Raif lugged the huge item back to the shop. “What in heaven’s name have you got there?” asked their father. “A giant teapot!” they exclaimed proudly. “Why?” said their father. “We had to buy it – it is so cool!” answered Jamal. “Oh really?” said his father. “How much?” “Um -” “HOW much?” …

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Attention Seeker

Parable of the Waiting Room

There once was a waiting room with three people in it. One was a middle-aged woman, who was sitting by the door, handbag on her lap. She wore a pair of gloves that she was loath to take off in case she handled something unclean and revealed the liver spots on the back of her …

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Bad Santa Bauble

All on My Own

As people said good night and Happy Christmas, David realised the moment he dreaded had come. He had to leave the office and drive on his own to an empty house on Christmas Eve. In his forty-five years on planet Zog he’d never had a Christmas on his own. His parents departed. The kids with …

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Bad Santa Bauble

Jesus Works For A Sunbeam

Jesus was a nervous boy. He also hated Christmas, because it meant birthday. And every year was one year closer. Jesus tapped at the door. He was late. When the door swung open, the party was clearly in full swing. “Come on in! Who are you anyway? Oh, Jesus. Great outfit by the way.” His …

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Bad Santa Bauble

The Fox Who Stole Christmas

Christmas was here again, but it did not bring good tidings. The Fox had spent all his time chasing the other animals and scavenging in the bins. Now everyone was out to get him. The Cockerel chased him out of the coop; the Squirrel hit him on the nose with an acorn. He bit into …

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Bad Santa Bauble

The Christmas Squirrel

In the autumn the Squirrel came down from his tree to collect nuts. When the Fox saw him, he gave chase. However, the Squirrel was too quick for him. The Fox called after him. “One day you will provide me with a meal.” The Squirrel collected nuts all autumn until he had a big store. …

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Horton Tarot Card

The Snow Child

A rich merchant by the name of Mercutio was called away on business during the early winter months. When snow began to fall on the ground, the mountain pass became blocked, causing delay to Mercutio’s return. On his return Mercutio found his wife had taken to her bed. “What is the matter, my love? Are …

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Horton Tarot Card

Death in the Nile

The couple insisted on paying Abid before the boarded the Felucca. He was curious, but never overly so as they had already included a large tip. “How far you want to go, Mister?” “Just out into the channel as far away from land as possible.” The breeze whispered across the Nile and Abid got on …

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Horton Tarot Card

Crossing the Red Sea

The new headmaster started it. “The school pays a large part of this church’s running costs….” Reverend McMillan shook his head. “This is a good congregation,” he said. “You don’t want to mess them around.” “Let’s try it out,” replied the headmaster. The following Sunday the first three rows of pews had been removed to …

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Horton Tarot Card

The Jeweller’s Price

The jeweller held the beads up to the light and scrutinized them through his magnifying glass. “I’m sorry,” he said, shaking his head. “They’re not genuine. If you take them to costume jeweller’s, maybe they will give you something…” “How much do you think?” asked the customer. The jeweller thought for a while. “Some of …

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