“The angel sighed as Michael pulled out of his drive. Much too fast of course, as always. And, as usual, Michael had forgotten to signal left.
At least he looked right this time, the angel consoled himself. He shook his head wearily. If the Heavenly Authorities hadn’t expressly forbidden pessimism he’d be forced to admit that Michael was a lost cause. And it wasn’t just his driving…
— From Nabbed by Otto Fischer
So… you are dead.
Here, in the newspaper, it says there were eight hundred at your funeral. I wasn’t there, of course, but can see in my mind the dark-dressed and somber-suited pressed into pews — like the oily anchovies we shared on crusty bread in our lunch breaks long ago.
No doubt it was a fitting send-off for a ‘pillar of the community and devout churchgoer.’ Did people weep as they eulogized the man who always put la famiglia first? What about my family? Did you ever consider them?
— From Threads by Carolyn Eldridge-Alfonzetti
“Onanism,” said the boy. “May I have a word with you about onanism, Father?”
“Of course, my son,” said the young priest. “How have you come across the word?”
“I have heard some of the senior boys use the word, Father.”
“It is not a word much used by boys, I would have thought. Onan spilled his seed upon the ground.”
“You mean he was a gardener, Father?” asked the boy.
— From Seed by Gerald Vinestock
Thirty-five clever, contemporary and entertaining stories re-imagine Pope Gregory's Seven Deadly Sins. Written by established and emerging short story writers these stories will leave you greedy for more. Chosen by Kathie Brown, Kathryn Dwan, Peter Jolly and David Vernon these are the very best of the entries in the Stringybark Seven Deadly Sins Short Fiction Award.
