Six Bizarre Short Stories for Skeptics

By G K McGilvary

What are we to make of stories that are (almost) unbelievable? Some people are full of faith, who devotedly follow every word. Others are cynical, full of doubt and disbelief. Yet there they are: tale after tale of coincidences, strange happenings and unexplained occurrences.

Perhaps there is no way of reconciling things. Maybe we simply do not know enough to explain. That said, we can't wait to hear or read of the next strange occurrence. It seems to be in our blood. As you see here, we even make them up!

Just to make it clear, there is nothing in any story in this collection that will cause disgust. No evil is portrayed, in fact the very opposite. They can even be read to older children, who will be thrilled. It has already been done!

Chuckles and scratching of the head in wonderment are the normal reactions of those who have already succumbed to the allurement of these charming tales.

So read on, you won't be disappointed.

• Language: English
• Publisher: G K McGilvary
• Release date: Mar 24, 2016
• ISBN: 9781519994745

Book preview

Six Bizarre Short Stories For Skeptics

By

G K MCGILVARY

Six Bizarre Short Stories For Skeptics

First Published in 2014

[Revised]

2nd Edition 2016

Copyright © 2014 G K MCGILVARY

The right to be identified as author

of this work

has been asserted in

accordance with the

Copyright, Designs and Patent Act 1988.

––––––––

All rights reserved.

Contents

Prologue

Strange Tales

Good ‘n’ Country

Callanish

Climpy House

The Spey Wife

These are for Real

Jack Morrison and Me

Rector MacArthur

A little bonus for my reader

'Clearways'

About the Author

Prologue:

It is well-known that mysteries and facts we find difficult to understand draw most of us like a flame. This is because our rational minds, the conscious brain, cannot fathom them at all. They are a problem, so must be resolved – which is not always possible.

'Bah' and 'humbug' say the unfeeling philistines. 'It's all trickery, a play on our lack of knowledge'.

But perhaps these strange happenings, the many unexplained events, do have a purpose. Maybe our dreams and the activity of the sub-conscious are telling us something about ourselves and our environment. We do not know, we are unsure.

Nor are we alone. Strange tales are common to all societies. Secrets and events drawn from the passage of the years are more often than not couched in the form of tales such as these.

Most unanswered circumstances are solved with the march of time; but when there is mystery and unnatural occurrences the hairs rise on the back of the neck, our senses are on full alert and we feel very much alive.

Isn't it wonderful how we are entranced by what we do not understand?

Such bafflement leads to creativeness, and mankind is apt to fashion odd and amazing tales from it all.

They are great fun. So read this selection with these thoughts in mind; enjoy and wonder.

Strange Tales

Good ‘n’ Country

‘Like I said, y’all must be the best darn’d audience in the whole wide world.’ There was some muted applause. ‘Yup, Stella, Johnny and I sure would like to thank you once again folks, fer bein’ so kind, an’ all. Y’all such fine people.’ More polite applause.

‘It’s been a real privilege and an honour to be here in Nashville, on Grand Ole Opry, the world’s greatest Country and Western theatre. Here’s hopin’ we see y’all again folks, real soon. This is 'Speed' Carson signing off fer now. Y’all be good, now.’

The trio retreated to the back of the stage strumming and singing the last bars of Carolina Moon and left the stage to lukewarm applause. As they walked the few yards to the one dressing room they shared, the trio heard the master of ceremonies loudly proclaiming his thanks, and of being ‘privileged’ to hear their performance. Then, before any applause could begin, he rapidly introduced the next act.

'Speed' lifted the guitar from around his neck, quietly placed it in a corner and slumped on a chair. His two fellow performers got rid of their instruments, likewise, and seated themselves slowly. Each languid body movement signalled resignation.

They weren’t fooled. They knew the management of Grand Ole Opry had invited them back for these two gigs more as a gesture of thanks for the hugely successful nights that had gone before. This, the first of these re-appearances on the greatest country music stage of all, just didn’t have the sparkle of former years. The trio knew this.

Twenty five years had rolled by since their biggest hits – such greats as: Forgotten Dreams and Broken Promises – had reached the first twenty in the Country Albums Chart. You Always Loved Me had been their last big one. Most of their music was forgotten or unknown to new Country fans.

The trio’s greatest strength remained their versatility, performing reasonable versions of hits by other, more famous artistes. All three were gifted musicians. Stella Dixon offered excellent impersonations of Patsy Cline and Connie Francis.

‘Johnny Be Good’ Jones always tried to be true to his stage name. His favourite artiste was Buddy Holly; but he also performed Chuck Berry numbers. And he could shake like Jerry Lee Lewis and rave in such a way that some compared him to Little Richard. 'Speed' Carson was much more relaxed. He liked to take-off Jim Reeves, or Fats Domino. His mellow baritone soothed nerves among young and old alike.

For the last