A Treasure Trove

By Doug Bartlett

This book is unlike most books you may have read. It is not a single story with a single theme. It is a plethora of many short stories with several, diverse themes. 

The author began writing these stories later in his lifetime. He has no formal training in this area of writing, and he sometimes feels he is trespassing into unknown territory. His first story was written to play a joke on a friend. He discovered that he enjoyed writing that story so much he continued writing these flash fiction stories to this day. He also realized he could use this avenue of communication to share his Christian faith on an international level.

During this time period, the author collected these stories in a treasure chest. He has decided at this time he would pull some of those stories out of the treasure chest and share them with you.

A Treasure Trove is a collection of flash fiction stories. These stories range anywhere from seventy-five words to five-hundred words in length

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Apr 9, 2024
• ISBN: 9798891300033

Book preview

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A Treasure Trove

Doug Bartlett

ISBN 979-8-89130-002-6 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-89130-003-3 (digital)

Copyright © 2024 by Doug Bartlett

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Big Gamè

Clueless in Seattle

One Last Ride

Checking Out

The Rock

Temple of Doom

Piece of Cake

Blindsided

Sniper

Mission Accomplished?

The Fix Is In

California Dreaming

The Path to God

Writer's Block, Nevermore

Right Back At'cha

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

The Other Side

Alarming

Father Knows Best

Voices in My Head

How About Murder?

Look Both Ways

Home Sweet Home

You Never Know

The Golden Rule

Peace on Earth

Death, the Respecter of No One

What a Gift

Whack, Whack, Whack

The Great Exchange

A Ride on the Wildside

Life Lesson

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

Shalom

The Final Exam

Three Bags Full

The Donkey's Behind

The Rock Climber

Ran Out

The Donor

Quick on Your Feet

The Christmas Tree Angel

Gramps Skins the Cat

Malchus's Dream

Get Real

The Diner

The Christmas Code

What's in a Name?

The Legacy

Wake Up, Ahab

Have a Nice Flight

Dead Man Walking

The Writer

The Dilemma

Because He Can

Homecoming

But, I Know

Who's the Genius?

Papa's Gone Fishing

The Magic Laptop

Free on the Inside

The Candidate

Garden Party

Someday

The Malady of Thomas

Three Nails

86,400

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Love One Another

Three Blessings

Ya Gotta be Kiddin'

A Different Perspective

Mulligan

What's for Lunch?

Tax Day

Unspoken Words

Exalted

Heartache Tonight

A Giant Problem

A Whale of a Tale

Thirsty Sarah

Danny Boy

The Flat Tire

The Transition

The Wedding at Cana

Not My Gordon

The hospital stay

What Was He Writing?

No Room in Church

The Aquarium

All Along the Watch Tower

Don't Miss It!

I Should Know Better

Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head

Be Careful What You Wish For

Roll Over Shakespeare

The Deathgrip

The Struggle

Mistaken Identity

The Wild Goose Chase

The Perfect Lamb

The Day Love Died

Santa's Everywhere

Say It Ain't So

A Fool and His Inheritance Are Soon Parted

A(nother) Miracle

What Happened to Bill?

That Should Have Been Me

Where Are You Going?

The Call

Unnecessary Roughness

Eternal Bliss

Beyond the Veil

13 Men

Deja Vu, All Over Again

Buffalo Hunter

Standing proudly at Attention

Who is the New Guy?

Lesson Learned

Eve of Destruction

Now You See Them, Now You Don't

Wheel of Fortune

Our Lady

Fountain of Blessing

The Visit

Without Equal

Total Commitment

Beware the Vampires

The Path

Hallowed Ground

The Lighthouse

Trans-gender

Three Powerful Words

The Silent War

Summer School

One Lump or Two

The Chair

Granddad's map

Empty Thoughts

Riding the Storm Out

About the Author

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank Jim Bartlett (no relation). Jim is my friend who caused me to write my first story, even though he didn't realize it. He has been a constant source of encouragement of which I am very appreciative.

I am also grateful for my wife, Joyce, who has been very supportive over the years.

Most importantly, I want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Anything good coming from my life is a result of having Him in my life.

Big Gamè

The local natives had told Jim that this was the best location to see big game. He peered anxiously through the binoculars, scanning the lush, green field below him. He saw a few zebras before he spotted a lion, another, and yes, another. He had come upon a pride of lions, nearly a dozen in all. The next thing that appeared in his view was an equal amount of bears lumbering to and fro. However, they always stayed at least a few yards away as if an invisible wall separated the two groups. All of the lions gathered near the center of the field creating a cluster. The lions dispersed and quickly ran directly to the line of bears. In a matter of seconds, the impact of their bodies crashing into each other made a sound not unlike thunder. A solitary lion was able to make his way through the bears unscathed. He continues running at top speed until he reached the end of the field, at which point the announcer's voice exited the public address system into the crisp autumn air, Touchdown Detroit!

Clueless in Seattle

A small group of strangers was huddled around a long, oak table adorned with two ornate candlesticks that were lit to help provide an ambiance of mystique for this particular evening.

The group consisted of:

Tiffany Brown, School Teacher

Georgeanne Cratchett, Nurse

Debbie Spellman, Engineer

John Mustard, Air Force Colonel

Joyce Fox, Psychiatrist

Kristin Tyson, Stock Broker

Mike Manson, Plumber

Mary Johnson, hostess of the bed and breakfast inn.

The table was located in the center of the upstairs dining room in a bed and breakfast inn on the outskirts of Seattle. They had all signed up with Mary to play the murder mystery game that the inn provided for their guests' enjoyment. Mary's explanation of the rules of the game was cut short by the lights going off unexpectedly. Mary told the group to stay seated and remain calm.

This happens periodically, and the electrical panel is downstairs in the library. I'll be right back, she said as she grabbed her flashlight and rushed hastily out of the room.

Fifteen minutes later, the agitated group had run out of patience, demanding someone in the group needed to do something.

Finally, the Air Force colonel stands up, grabbing one of the two candlesticks from the table, saying, I'll go, but I'll need this to see my way down the stairs.

Arriving at the bottom of the stairs, he realized he didn't have a clue where the library was. He systematically tried each door in the hallway until he reached his goal. As he was entering the room, he raised the candlestick higher. At the same time, Mary, hearing his footsteps behind her, began turning around while her face filled with pure, unadulterated terror.

She shrieked at the top of her lungs, No, no! It can't be! It's Colonel Mustard…in the library…with the candlestick!

One Last Ride

Burt Collins was a decent human being, a great husband, a wonderful father and grandfather, and oh yes, he had made millions of dollars in the stock market. Everyone who knew him loved him but didn't care too much for his wife. Susan, his rich and conceited widow, had fond memories of their life together as she was being wheeled from the chapel, having been confined to a wheelchair for the past several years. The quick ride to the cemetery was not quick enough for her as she was concerned about arriving late, but she knew they wouldn't dare start without her.

Upon her arrival at the gravesite, she had assistance in getting out of the vehicle and was quickly surrounded by family and friends. She felt sorry for many of them, thinking they were jealous of her and her money even though they could walk and she could not. She could hear them talking about her, but only her six-year-old grandson would talk directly to her. Finally, the service came to a close and people began leaving until Susan found herself all alone, except for the two workers who carefully lowered her into the ground beside her husband.

Checking Out

The rays of sunlight streamed gently into the room, waking him up. He realized he was staying in a hotel, and after looking at the clock on the wall, he thought he better call the front desk to find out when check-out time was.

Hello, this is Jimmy in room 1975. I was just calling to find out when I need to check out of my room.

Mr. Hoffa, the desk clerk responded, we've had this conversation before, and the policy hasn't changed. You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.

March 2019

The Rock

He came home and was surprised to see a gigantic rock in his yard.

He asked God, Why?

God told him for now, his purpose in life was to push against the rock daily with all his strength. He did.

A year later, he cried out in frustration. I'm a failure! After all this time, the rock hasn't budged an inch!

My child, the Lord responded, look at you. Your shoulders are broader. Your arms and legs are stronger. Your stature is more muscular. The purpose was never to move the rock; the purpose was to make you stronger.

March 2019

Temple of Doom

Their hearts pounded excitedly, anticipating a spiritual experience as they climbed up the steps, gazing at the lavishly adorned temple. They remembered their first visit and the tremendously strong bond they each experienced. Since then, they religiously attended every Sunday. It became their sole focus in life. The couple would