Patricia Furstenberg, Writer of Historical Fiction, Children's Books
Travel via Stories
Long ago, before the land bore the marks of iron and stone, the first people of the great southern lands spoke of a tree unlike any other—the Lilly Pilly. It was said that this tree had been a gift from the Spirit of the Waters who moved unseen through the world, whispering wisdom to those who listened.
Continue reading “The Legend of the Lilly Pilly and How to Make This Delicious Jam”
Ever found yourself a traveler in the land of apes? We found ourselves in a different kind of primate land once, holidaying in Durban, on the KwaZulu-Natal coast of the Indian Ocean. We were enjoying the ocean’s breeze coming through the open balcony door when with it in jumped a monkey! Bouncing from the neighboring tree onto the balcony ledge, then into the living room and up on the kitchen island where she picked her reward, a bunch of bananas!
Had she thanked us? I think she waved – her tail. Better the bananas than the car keys nearby…
Continue reading “Why a Traveler Better be Watchful Near Apes”
Dogs must be the most unselfish creatures on earth, yet The Dog and his Reflection is a fable about a foolish, greedy mutt who was not content with what he already had – and that sounds familiar…
Continue reading “The DOG and his Reflection, a fable”
If you ever plan on going in a journey, make sure you do so with true friends, warns us ‘The Bear and the Travelers’, a timeless fable here retold for its killer advice on always considering the bare bones of a friendship.
Continue reading “Bear And Travelers, A Killer Fable On Bare Friendship”
The Fox and the Tiger is a fable as old as life, yet I like to imagine it taking place shortly after humans appeared on the Earth, perhaps hailing from Africa, a time when animals still spoke among themselves in a language understood by humans. A time of peace and harmony. Today tigers, in their natural habitat, live freely only in Asia, but foxes are most versatile, and we find them on every continent save for Antarctica.
Continue reading “The Fox and the Tiger, a Fable”