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13 Acorns: Modern Short Stories for Thoughtful Adults
G. Edward Martin, author
13 Acorns is the debut work of up-and-coming American author G. Edward Martin. It is composed of twelve original short stories written in multiple genres beneath the umbrella of philosophical fiction. Each unique story addresses one central idea or moral question, with each story being akin to a single acorn—something small or simple with the potential to grow enormous.
1.\tThe False Treeing Hound- Daniel, a lost young man, abandons everything and sets out on a road-trip headed west. After his car breaks down, he unexpectedly meets a friend and mentor who changes the course of his life.
2.\tThe Grave Robber Sitting Across from Me- a young woman travels to Florida after losing her mother and discovers that her uncle and his girlfriend have stolen from the deceased. However, the young woman is forced to bite her tongue and pretend as if she does not notice.
3.\tThe Return Flight- a crew of astronauts nearing the completion of a 20-year mission in space discover that their ship is being followed on their way back to earth in this science fiction novelette.
4.\tThe Charleston Market- Mike, a small business owner and vendor at the Charleston market, wrestles with his own self-worth and the order of society as he tries to rebound from the discouragement of several failed plans.
5.\tMy Old Street- On a trip to visit his parents and siblings, Joe discovers a stash of drugs hidden in his younger brother’s room. He is forced to make a hard decision and hope that he chose correctly.
6.\tThe Nobody Who Fought a Dragon- Bill, the local potter and town drunk, is forced by his neighbors to battle a dragon that plagues their town in this comedy novelette.
7.\tBenjamin: The AI Government- After inventing a computer program that could come to replace politicians and governments, two friends secretly discuss the full implications of such technology in this science fiction short story.
8.\tThe Values of a Dying Man- When Phillip finds himself falling ill and losing strength, he must decide how to spend his last week on earth and what he truly values.
9.\tThe Unstoppable Train- John Ross visits a nursing home as he attempts to interview a former intelligence operative and persuade him to finally divulge the secrets of one of America’s largest unanswered conspiracies.
10.\tThe Demise of the Great Village- In this philosophical allegory, the narrator explains the story of his home—why it was built, how it rose to greatness, and how it was dismantled from within by malignant forces.
11.\tThe Man Who Held Court- “The path to enlightenment and the remedy for anxiety, depression, and hopelessness.” A philosophical fiction.
12.\tThe Bridge of Working Truth- A son is finally invited to join his father in working to complete the ancient bridge that extends from earth to paradise in this philosophical allegory about the history and progress of humanity.