Stories
Read stories by our community. Use the verse to share, heal and connect — or add your own voice below.
Submit your OwnAden Christmas
December. Aden 1965. An aggressively hot and dusty place surrounded by harsh grey mountains and arid tracts of sandy desert. A place too, where the hatred of the local populace for us British servicemen was a palpable force daily translated into acts of murder and...
The Chiefy
The wind was cold as it blew across the bleak airfield, and the rain drizzled from a darkening sky. We stood under the bombers wing in a forlorn group, eight youngsters out of merry quips. The false laughter of bravado had died away as we suddenly found that we needed...
Army Dreamer
Private Phillips hears the storms that others cannot hear. He hears the fall of raindrops, the wind whipping though the trees and the deep, distant boom and thump of thunder in far-off, unseen hills. His eyes cast ever skyward, he has become the regimental expert on...
Remembrance day
The stone lion stood proudly outside the Cowdray Hall. The dates engraved behind it were still engrained on my brain. EElizabethabeth stood beside me, her arm hooked into mine. Some of my comrades lay a wreath of red poppies. Her lovely figure was hidden by a loose...
Deader
June 16th, 1976. I remember that day. It was on that day that I felt that teasing rush that made my fists clench. It was on that day that I felt hatred -it was tender, but scarily satisfying to feel that forbidden emotion. And I can feel it once more… …at a dangerous...
Inside insights
His voice: that’s what I remember most about Dad. It wasn’t in any way extraordinary, at least not as far as I can judge, but I think one cannot help but be partial about the voices of the people one loves most because it is so much a part of their being, their...
Her Daddy meant the World to her
Her daddy meant the world to her. He was the strength, the pillar, the support that held her world together, but daddy was gone. He was in Northern Ireland supporting the troops that were trying to keep the peace. She didn’t understand the politics of it all, she just...
The term ‘ Popular Science ‘ and why it will forever be an Oxymoron
The candles are lit, the banners hung. The guests are arrived, the presents with them. But where’s the birthday boy? Climb the stairs, knock twice. “Young master?” Wait two heartbeats. “Sir?” Wait two more. “You’re needed.” Knock again; enter. Avert your eyes. “Young...
A lucky game of poker
Major Jim Blackburn leant back in the canvas chair. His elbow rested on a wooden bench made of local Afghan plywood so dry it was almost desiccated. He looked at the cards in his hand. The three and four of clubs, the eight of spades, nine of diamonds and the jack of...
Sins of the Parents
He was tall. More than that I couldn't say, as his face was shielded by his hat and the collar of his raincoat. I took the envelope from his hand. He walked away. “Wait,” I said, “ We need to talk.” “It's all right Carol. Everything you need to know is there.” I...