Nonfiction
The Violin That Wept
Crafted in Venice in 1712 by Lorenzo Bellini, this violin produced tones unlike any other. Legend claims the strings were soaked in the tears of his dying wife, granting them unmatched resonance. At its first concert, the audience wept uncontrollably; by the end, three people were dead of heart failure. The violin was banned, sealed in a monastery vault. In 1935, a German officer rediscovered it and ordered it played on the radio—listeners reported a “melody of grief” that caused hallucinations and despair. The broadcast was cut mid-note. No one knows where the violin went next… only that on certain frequencies, it can still be heard.
By GoldenSpeech3 months ago in Chapters
The Elevator That Skipped the 13th Floor
Everyone knew the Sinclair Building had no 13th floor — it jumped from 12 to 14 like countless others. But every now and then, when the elevator doors opened between floors, passengers would glimpse something: a dimly lit hallway, peeling wallpaper, and a figure standing at the far end holding a lantern.
By GoldenSpeech3 months ago in Chapters
Memoir | Get Mia! | Part VI of VI
As the sun rose on another workday, I needed the signature of our bureau’s Principal Secretary of Prominence, Mr. Goldberg, on an important document. Naturally, I went to Jane, his office secretary, only to discover she was again on sick leave.
By Mia Z. Edwards3 months ago in Chapters
Memoir | Conclusion | Prelude | Part VI of VI | Secretarial Diaries
After demonstrating my competence in managing delicate materials during my global travels for the government, I requested a stable 9-to-5 job once my two-year assignment concluded. I had seen enough of the world and the unpredictable rhythms of international communication. I was ready to trade jet lag and adrenaline for a desk, a routine, and a little peace of mind.
By Mia Z. Edwards3 months ago in Chapters
Snow White’s Coffin Was Real — And It’s Still Preserved in Germany
In the hills near Lohr am Main, Germany, historians uncovered a glass coffin in a 17th-century crypt beneath a chapel. Inside lay the perfectly preserved body of a young woman — raven-haired, alabaster-skinned, and believed to be Countess Maria Sophia Margaretha Catharina von Erthal. Her stepmother, known for her cruelty, owned a “talking mirror” — a rare acoustical mirror that amplified voices.
By GoldenSpeech3 months ago in Chapters
Memoir | The Charming Hotel Housekeeper | Part V of VI
An official trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina took an amusing turn when a determined hotel housekeeper, with her rapid Spanish and swift cleaning skills, transformed a routine moment into a memorable encounter!
By Mia Z. Edwards3 months ago in Chapters
Memoir | Challenges in Jet Lag | Part V of VI
This was my first official journey to the continent of Africa. The direct overnight flight from Dulles International Airport in Dulles, Virginia, to Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, France, lasted an exhausting eight hours. I landed in Paris at 7:00 AM, facing a six-hour layover before boarding an Air Afrique flight to Côte d’Ivoire, Abidjan. The flight to West Africa added another eight hours to my travel time, and I finally arrived at 9 PM in West Africa. I was completely worn out from the lengthy trip and feeling quite irritable, and the native airport staff didn’t make matters any better. As a result, they witnessed a side of me that wasn’t very friendly.
By Mia Z. Edwards3 months ago in Chapters
Memoir | Beauty Mark | Part V of VI
As I waited at the airport in Côte d’Ivoire, Abidjan (West Africa), for an Air Afrique flight to Accra, Ghana, where I had a day of work ahead, I spotted a woman whose face was beautifully marked with intricate and stunning designs.
By Mia Z. Edwards3 months ago in Chapters
