Simply Stories

World War 1 Story by HP Lovecraft & World War 1 Poem by John Mcrae

A story written by H P Lovecraft.  The story will be followed by the classic World War 1 poem, In Flanders Fields, by John McCrae.

This story, Dagon, is not a traditional war story.  Rather, the narrator recounts a terror found whilst escaping a prison camp. Because this is Lovecraft writing, it is indeed a horror story, but taking place during World War 1...

The voices of soldiers from World War 1
In honour of soldiers of all wars throughout history, todays special episode is a collection of actual letters written from the front during World War 1.  

Simply Stories recognises that each individual’s unique voice tells a story of its own.  From the letters of the every day soldier, we can hear the trauma, immense courage, and horror experienced by so many during World War 1.  

 These are their stories...

An Edgar Allen Poe Story  
Folk tales speak of black cats being witches in disguise.  The narrator of the story has a fondness for animals – in particular, a large black cat. Great affection for the cat slowly turns to irritation, then dislike, and finally – loathing.  Terrible things are perpetrated by the narrator, with the cat seemingly watching.  As the story unfolds, the cat, always somehow there, waits for its chance for revenge...

A Mary Shelley Novel – Chapters 5 and 10.  
The creation of life, from a maniacally egotistical wish to prove that it actually could be done, brings results unexpected and unwanted.  An exploration into the darkest depths of the human mind.  Questions arise as to the humanity of Frankenstein’s creation.  Was it born evil or was malevolence trained into the creature as it recognises its own separateness from the rest of humanity from the reactions of those who have contact with him...

A Charles Dickens Story  
One of the greatest English storytellers of all time, Dickens spins a chilling ghost story involving only 2 players.  A remote train station.  A lonely signalman post.  Unexpected bell of warning and inexplicable red light of danger.  The story unfolds patiently. Disintegrating inch by inch, all possible alternative explanations to the haunting event.  Read with aplomb by Robin Coles...

An Edgar Allen Poe Story  
A question of sanity versus insanity and a study into the compulsions of the human mind;  a study Edgar Allen Poe excelled at.  Our narrator finds himself repulsed by a feature of his neighbour. A feeling that grows in intensity over time.  Finally, he finds he must act upon his compulsion to rid himself of this feature – but how?  Without being caught?  Poe weaves a classic horror story that grows in intensity. Read with style and drama by Robin Coles...

An H H Munro, aka Saki, Story  
 Demonstrating the usual acerbic wit of H H Munro, (also known under the pen name of Saki), this story explores the possibility of how we humans take on the characteristics of our pets.  What personality traits may one incorporate if one had a parrot as a pet?  Or a turtle?  Or, perhaps, a rather cheeky monkey?  As with all Munro’s stories, this is filled with wit and humour...

An H H Munro, aka Saki, Story  
Demonstrating the usual acerbic wit of H H Munro, (also known under the pen name of Saki), this story explores the possibility of how we humans take on the characteristics of our pets.  What personality traits may one incorporate if one had a parrot as a pet?  Or a turtle?  Or, perhaps, a rather cheeky monkey?  As with all Munro’s stories, this is filled with wit and humour...

Sherlock Holmes, by Arthur Conan Doyle   
A Sherlock Holmes Story  
Charles Augustus Milverton!  The name creates shudders in any person who hears it!  In the whole of London, is there any more detested or abhorred?  Sherlock Holmes, and his faithful companion John Watson, must match wits with the evil Milverton in order to save the reputation of a young lady...

Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame   
Chapter 12 – The Return of Ulysses  
The plan was hatched, all friends engaged, and action taken place to rid Mr Toad’s ancestral home of the invading weasels and stoats...