PinnedHow You Can Open Your Eyes to Better StoriesUsing storytelling to enhance your life — The Concept Life lessons are easy to share. Everywhere we listen people are telling us to “work hard” and “be patient,” or to “be more confident.” Now, the problem isn’t that these lessons and platitudes are wrong. The problem is that they’re hard to understand. Just hearing the advice isn’t enough to…Self Improvement3 min read
Jul 29, 202117 — The Sorcerer’s SoulsThe desert raged like a sea in storm. Ibrahm the sorcerer, cunning eyes darting this way and that above his face wrap, kept his senses open as he tried to guide the twisting wind and flying sand summoned by his dark power. It was useless. Visibility was almost nothing. Just…Self3 min read
Jul 28, 202116 — The Alchemist’s SightDuali, the city men called the Bronze Petal of the Desert, woke with the song of Sullam’s call to prayer at dawn. Eight days journey to the west, deep in the desert, an unnatural sandstorm howled like the death scream of a greater demon. In the heart of the storm…Flash Fiction3 min read
Jul 27, 202115 — The Wide DesertThe exiled prince wandered far after he was betrayed. He came to the edge of a wide desert. The traders said that it was too wide to cross. If someone tried to cross, he would certainly die. …Self Improvement1 min read
Jul 26, 202114 — Another Trap“There’s always another trap.” Shari’s words whispered in the thief’s mind, and he hesitated before he slunk across the last few feet of rooftop and through the open window. It would be appropriate, he thought, for him to remember his teacher’s first tenet on his last job. Fitting. Because he…Learning3 min read
Jul 25, 202113 — The StormThe prince, the priestess, the alchemist and the alchemist’s apprentice left Duali by the western gate. It was early morning. The sun started to rise over the shardlands in the east. They put their backs to it and traveled west, across the sands. For six days, Sullam’s blessing was with…Productivity2 min read
Jul 24, 202112 — The Bottomless Cup“Alms?” The beggar held out a tin cup and cocked his head, listening. Blind, the thief thought. “Young man,” the beggar wheezed. “Alms for the poor?” The thief hesitated. On instinct, he peeked inside the cup and counted. There were a few coins at the bottom, but the thief knew…Relationships3 min read
Jul 23, 202111 — Training ThievesShari, street hawk to the dust lord Bandar el-Zaki, watched the young thief weave through the crowd. Anakar’s sun-baked streets were thronging with people, here to celebrate the new year and the changing of the seasons at the ancient festival of Ramsalla. She saw the moment the young man chose…Action3 min read
Jul 22, 202110 — The PriestThe lamps of Duali had already been lighted when Sulleiman, priest of Sullam, heard a knock at the side door. He stretched and rose from where he knelt in front of the altar. He went bare-chested to the door and opened it. There were two men standing outside on the…Self Improvement2 min read
Jul 21, 20219 — The AcademicIt was morning. The young man could hear the crier in the highest minaret of the temple of Sullam, singing across to the crier in the highest minaret of the temple of Sallib. He sang of windstorms and sandstorms and the love of the desert. …Productivity4 min read