And I Was Tired — Jeff Mach Writes

Once upon a time, there was a monster who devoured every story which began with “Once upon a time”.

Starting with the reader.

Starting with the ears.

But elsewhere in the Kingdom, while the Narrator was off having a good time, the King and the Other King were having an argument.

“I say the World will end in fire!” said one.

“No, in ice!” said the other.

The Court Wizard settled the dispute by frying them both with lightning.

___

The Narrator said to the Wizard, “If we have no reader, do we even exist?”

The Wizard could have smitten him with lightning, or smooched him, but instead said, “Let’s go see the court philosopher!”

The Reader still didn’t exist.

Or, specifically, the reader HAD existed and was now smoky remains.

(That’s you. Sorry.)

___

“So,” said the Wizard. “You’re wondering if we exist if we have no reader.”

“Yes.”

“No,” said the Wizard.

THE END.

“It’s a little-known fact, but Unicorns are something like 20% paint, and their horns are stolen exclusively from endangered species.”
― Jeff Mach, There and Never, Ever Back Again

You could go here to join my mailing list.

You could find more of my books and other work here on Amazon.