Showing results by narrator "Glenn Hascall" in All Categories

"Geoffrey's Panklaggephone" is the equivalent of a sponge – for sound. This short story from humorist Ellis Parker Butler demonstrates that even the best inventions will have their quirks. Sometimes those quirks can make the invention useful in an application no one suspected.

Sherlock Holmes faced his nemesis Professor James Moriarty, but O. Henry’s Shamrock Jolnes faced the murderer Avery Knight. Is it possible Knight could use deductive reasoning better than the great New York detective? This delightful parody mirrors Doyle’s Holmes, but adds some well-placed humor.

If you've ever wondered what a tale of knights and dukes would look like through the mind of humorist Mark Twain? Travel back in time to the 1200s. Twain starts well setting the scene for a very interesting conflict. How will it resolve - or will it? The ending really shouldn't be a surprise for those who love the careless ease of Twains humor.

Who determines what stops the presses? Enter the world of Mark Twain who was handed an item from an emotional man late one night. The presses were stopped, the item run, and Twain was in trouble with his editor. Enjoy the humor as Twain tries to understand the importance of "Mr. Bloke’s Item".

Have you ever wondered what Mark Twain thought of Ben Franklin? In his typical humorous way Twain dwells on the maxims delivered by Franklin and expressed the lament most boys felt - who could live up to the wisdom of Franklin? In truth, Ben Franklin even poked fun at his own Poor Richard’s wisdom.

Hans was a faithful servant. At the end of seven years his master gave him a lump of gold "as big as his head". Some will say that Hans was taken advantage of as he returned to his boyhood home. His gold was soon traded for something most considered of lesser value. The trades continued until Hans had nothing, yet Hans considered himself the most fortunate of men. Listen to this classic Brothers Grimm tale to learn the skill of contentment.

This beautiful story by Charles Dickens reflects the musings of one looking back at what Christmas has been and what it seems now that the maturity of years has allowed wisdom denied to the Christmas of youth. For the mature there are far more Christmas guests than others may see. People long removed from the breath of life find a home in the remembrances of those who really understand this holiday.

Mike Murphy sat in the Governor's office seeking a pardon for his son. Murphy knew that if the Governor remembered who he was there wouldn’t be a chance of success. The Governor did remember Murphy, and the bullying he received at the hands of his much younger self. He also remembered how the struggle they had as boys helped him become the man who governed a state.

Here is a story of a miser who is also afflicted with an advanced case of envy. He never had enough. When a magical dwarf takes the challenge to deceive the miser he succeeds in a greater way than even he could have anticipated. Living a life that views generosity as important is the key takeaway in this greedy fairy tale by Juliana Horatia Gatty Ewing.

When Mark Twain is named an honorary member of a 'poultry society' he returns the honor with a humorous description of why he is perfectly qualified to be a member since he in fact 'raised' poultry in his time. Perhaps what Twain thought of his skills may have been less acceptable to the society. On the other hand maybe this is why Twain has always been so honored.

Mark Twain appeared to be suffering from a need for revenge. His answer was to make the town coroner look the fool. Twain's artificial creation of a petrified man in a publication for which he acted as editor was accepted as truth and Twain’s revenge never came to be. Still, he knew the truth, and perhaps that was enough.

We’ve all had experiences with home remedies for the common cold. Mark Twain takes us on a journey through the remedies he experienced, the places he went, and what he learned in this classic short story.

A humorous parody of “Sherlock Holmes’. This classic storyteller resets the scene to New York where Shamrock Jolnes and his friend Whatsup are optimistic, but a bit bumbling. Deductive reasoning plays a key role in this tale of personal pride in the heart of a slightly forgetful detective.

Mark Twain always had a unique way of sharing stories that never seemed as if they had any real life as a story. Imagine a conversation with Mark and an undertaker. It's possible the undertaker has just spent too much time by himself, maybe the embalming chemicals were a bit too strong, and maybe he really thinks he talks to his 'clients'. This short story will leave you wondering how such a fun story could come from a funeral home. Your view of the song 'Pop Goes the Weasel' may never be the same.

This is a story for any man that has ever visited a barber. For all the good they do, there has likely been at least one misguided barber who resembles the man who gives Mark Twain's head a workout. From the descriptions of the shop to the tactics of those who use a barber, this story will be something you can relate to, smile at, and reintroduces memories of a barber shop that never changes.

Each of us responds to our world based on what we know. This story shows how when you never see what others view as normal then normal becomes frightening. Follow a three-year-old boy as he lives following a war that ravaged his country. A short story that challenges conventional thought on normalcy. Narrated by Glenn Hascall.

Meet Jenny Wren. In spite of physical difficulties she is an industrious young girl with friends, and work that she enjoys. You may think her life extremely harsh by today's standards, but her enduring spirit will inspire. You may even come to wish you were more like Jenny Wren. A little-known classic short story from the mind of Charles Dickens. Narrated by Glenn Hascall.

Today fewer people wear watches than ever. The reason may be that cell phones have a digital clock so there seems little need to wear a timepiece on your arm or in your pocket. Perhaps Mark Twain would have wished that he had a cell phone because his watch was costing him much more than an early cell phone upgrade. If you’ve ever had something repaired multiple times you will identify with the humorous struggle Twain relates in the short story "My Watch".

In fairy tales we often find that when magic is used it simply enhances either good traits or bad traits of those who receive the magic. If one were evil at the start magic made them more so. If they were kind their kindness became legendary. So it is with this delightful tale as magic is used on three villages with mixed results.

Kind William lived up to his name. A fishing expedition as a young lad led to kindness, promises kept, and a brilliant future. "Kind William and the Water Sprite" is just one of the many wonderful fairy tales by Juliana Horatia Gatty Ewing. Ewing was well-loved by peers for her creative writing for children. This is one example of her talent.