Fantasy“Trading With Monsters” by Miguel O. Mitchell
“Children of Earth” by K. A. Wiggins
“The UFO’s New Clothes” by Keech Ballard
“Nairuko” by Dennis Mugaa
Reviewed by Mina
Three light stories highlight the gravity of the fourth this month.
“Trading With Monsters” by Miguel O. Mitchell is a light piece of flash fiction giving us six tips for trading with monsters. It raises a smile, especially the comment about what a monster might consider a bonus.
“Children of Earth” by K. A. Wiggins pokes gentle fun at eco-friendly lifestyles. Mirella gets rather more than she bargained for when she tries natural composting techniques. It turns out that her attractive neighbour, Jason, has the same problem, which gives a whole new meaning to finding common ground.
“The UFO’s New Clothes” by Keech Ballard is a skit on the Genesis creation myth, human nature and the meaning of life, the universe and everything. The tone is somewhere between Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett and it’s full of stylistic flourishes and word plays.
“Nairuko” by Dennis Mugaa is steeped in sadness. The Nairuko of the title lives in a future Kenya, and she is about to become one of nine “laibons.” She has the ability to teleport and shares the burden of the survival of her tribe at all costs. Her initiation comes with her first betrayal.
Mina was struck by Nairuko’s comment that wars are fought twice: once physically and once in our memory.