Tea Leaf Tales: Tricycle Terminator

With the leaves falling, Christmas would come soon, and that meant one thing to Tyler Shepperd—asking Santa for a bicycle, not a tricycle, a real two-wheeled dirt bike like his big brother Shawn rode. Tyler had already asked and been turned down by Mom, then Dad, and Grampa, although he might be able to wear down Gramma if he could tolerate sitting in her lap a few more times. All the others said six was too young, he wasn’t ready, maybe for his seventh birthday next summer, which was too late for Tyler. The one person he was sure wouldn’t turn him down was Santa.

But just in case Mom or Dad got to Santa first before Tyler could hand him his letter, when he saw him at the mall in December, he had a plan. Before it got too cold, he would ride the old trike he hated more than his younger sister Emma until the wheels dropped off or the frame bent worse than Dad could repair, even with Grampa’s help and magic tools.

Every day after school, rain or shine, Tyler took to the leafy sidewalks, skidding out and slamming the tricycle into tree trunks. After weeks and many bruises, a shadowy figure jumped across his path. Frightened, Tyler collided with a loud thud into an old oak that set one of his rear wheels wobbling. He picked himself up, watched the shadow man return to a high branch, and the faint jiggle of a sleigh bell made Tyler smile.

Tea Leaf Tales is a series of original ten-sentence short stories by Marsha A. Moore, relating to photos/scenes that resonate with her. 

Marsha A. Moore is a writer of fantasy romance. The magic of art and nature spark life into her writing. 

JOIN MARSHA'S MAILING LIST and receive a free copy of her paranormal romance story RULER OF THE NIGHT.

Read Marsha's COON HOLLOW TALES of paranormal romance and her ENCHANTED BOOKSTORE LEGENDS for adventurous epic fantasy romance. For a FREE ebook download, read her historic fantasy, LE CIRQUE DE MAGIE, available at Amazon and Smashwords.

Tea Leaf Tales: Have you met the Watermelon Warrior?

Winnie Walters chopped and mixed her fruit salad for the neighborhood Labor Day block party.

Even though she’d received the sign-up form late, no one claimed her specialty. For the last fling of summer, everyone wanted Winnie’s salad. Her sweet elixir brought to mind the magic of heady jasmine-scented June nights with dizzying white blooms that made neighbors swarm her fruit like a hive of honey bees.

On the blustery Saturday afternoon when Winnie arrived at the party carrying two heaping bowls, many cheered while others gaped.

One woman peeled two squirming elementary-aged kids from her side, held out an empty plate, and pleaded, “Look at you: summer goddess. Dish me up some of your inner peace to get me through until school starts.”

Winnie planted her feet in a wide stance, twirled a long-handled serving spoon, let out a piercing yell, then filled the woman’s dish. “This is no goddess headdress, but the helmet of a warrior—defender of fruit through Crone’s Summer and Blackberry Winter.”

The woman savored the salad’s sweet flavor and sparkling magic, shared some with her children, and after the meal the serene golden glow of Indian Summer warmth blanketed the neighborhood.


Tea Leaf Tales is a series of original ten-sentence short stories by Marsha A. Moore, relating to photos/scenes that resonate with her.

For years I've written somewhat regular installments in a collection of fantasy flash fiction, my Tea Leaf Tales, which have been posted here on my blog. These enormously popular, original ten-sentence short stories relate to photos/scenes that resonate with me.

As a special perk to those who are part of my mailing list, I've decided to share new Tea Leaf Tales with them before posting them on my blog. These are short, fun, and give some insight into the creativity and imagination found in my books. Sign up to receive them first!

Sign up using this link.

And as a thank you for signing up, you'll also receive a free copy of my paranormal romance story, Ruler of the Night.

Marsha A. Moore is a writer of fantasy romance. The magic of art and nature spark life into her writing. 

JOIN MARSHA'S MAILING LIST and receive a free copy of her paranormal romance story RULER OF THE NIGHT.

Read Marsha's COON HOLLOW TALES of paranormal romance and her ENCHANTED BOOKSTORE LEGENDS for adventurous epic fantasy romance. For a FREE ebook download, read her historic fantasy, LE CIRQUE DE MAGIE, available at Amazon and Smashwords.

Get advance episodes of my popular Tea Leaf Tales of fantasy #FlashFiction *New mailing going out tonight 9-1-16*

For years I've written somewhat regular installments in a collection of fantasy flash fiction, my Tea Leaf Tales, which have been posted here on my blog. These enormously popular, original ten-sentence short stories relate to photos/scenes that resonate with me.

As a special perk to those who are part of my mailing list, I've decided to share new Tea Leaf Tales with them before posting them on my blog. These are short, fun, and give some insight into the creativity and imagination found in my books.

A mailing will go out tonight with a new Tea Leaf Tale. Be the first to enjoy it! Sign up using this link. 

And as a thank you for signing up, you'll also receive a free copy of my paranormal romance story, Ruler of the Night.

Sign up using this link. 

Hope you join me!

Marsha A. Moore is a writer of fantasy romance. The magic of art and nature spark life into her writing. 

JOIN MARSHA'S MAILING LIST and receive a free copy of her paranormal romance story RULER OF THE NIGHT.

Read Marsha's COON HOLLOW TALES of paranormal romance and her ENCHANTED BOOKSTORE LEGENDS for adventurous epic fantasy romance. For a FREE ebook download, read her historic fantasy, LE CIRQUE DE MAGIE, available at Amazon and Smashwords.