Challenge 948

Wind Writing

1. In Channie Greenberg’s Twinkly, Binky, Buckley Boo: How does Jim-Jam’s letter differ in style from that of the usual narrative? What might be gained if his story were told from a first-person partially omniscient viewpoint? What would have to be supplied by third-person intervention?

2. In Joseph Carrabis’s Mani He: Do the animals seem to conform to any particular folkloric or mythological tradition? Do the animals seem to have specialized functions?

3. In A. E. Kerry’s Tooth Fairy: In some cultures, the Tooth Fairy has no particular form but is friendly and leaves money or treats in exchange for milk teeth. In Isa’s culture, the equivalent figure seems to bargain for teeth but has a threatening appearance and demeanor. What might be the causes and effects of such differences in folklore?

4. In Charles C. Cole’s The Chair That Brought Opportunity: Toby says he’s lied about a dream in which he saw the chair he’s brought home. Why might his story about the psychic appear to be true?

5. In John D. Connelley’s Stories in the Sand:

   1. How might readers know that the sand and the storms are symbolic images and are not to be taken literally?
   2. Why does money appear to play no role in Ezra’s literary production?

6. In Emerson Gilmore’s The Fox Hunt:

   1. How is the title ironically ambiguous?
   2. What is an atman? Does it have a physical size, like an atom?
   3. Does the poem say that the squirrel’s body means nothing to the squirrel?
   
   

   Responses welcome!

   Copyright © May 2, 2022 by Bewildering Stories
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