Story Therapy

The painting's secret is shrouded in mystery. It was briefly displayed at the exhibition and vanished just as quickly. Her smile was captivating, emanating a brilliance that surpassed even that of the Mona Lisa. Story By: S A Spencer Author of Romance Fiction:  Dream In Shackles Photo  by Skitterphoto I stand before the painting, my eyes fixed on it in awe. The colours are so vivid, the brushstrokes so precise. I can feel the texture of the canvas under my fingertips, rough and grainy. The painting is a masterpiece, far surpassing even the famous Mona Lisa. I am so captivated by it I don’t even notice the people around me, all admiring the other works of art on display. As I continue to gaze at the painting, I notice a note beneath it. “This painting is not for sale, and no photography, please.” My heart sinks a little - I would give anything to own this piece of art. Nevertheless, I can’t tear my eyes away from it. There’s something about the painting that draws me in, an in

Carly can’t wait to meet the new puppy next door, and already imagines herself cuddling and playing with the little ball of fur. Story By: S A Spencer Author of Romance Fiction:  Dream In Shackles Photo by  Berkay Gumustekin     I can hear a pitiful bark coming from the next door, and it sounds like a cry for help. The sound is incessant, preventing me from getting any sleep. I can’t tell whether it’s a he or she , but it’s undoubtedly a young pup. My owners have left me in the backyard without a leash, but I can’t jump over the fence to reach the poor pup. I circle the yard, looking for any gaps in the timber fence, but it was only a month ago that I was able to sneak through, and the neighbour fixed it the next day. A pang of motherly love courses through my veins, despite the fact that I’ve been desexed. I bark loudly, “Bow wow, bow wow. My name is Carly. And you?” The puppy on the other side of the fence quiets down, but only for a moment. Then the puppy starts yelping again, ma

There are three key components to this fascinating tale - an ambitious politician, a savvy businessman who has achieved great success, and a clandestine romance that has been concealed for a decade. Story By: S A Spencer Author of Romance Fiction:  Dream In Shackles Photo by   Alejandra Quiroz "Even though you are the chief minister, I am the boss." "Yes, master." Janet laughed hysterically. The record played a few more times at the request of one of the committee members. "Miss Janet, this is the recording from your phone conversation with Kevin, when you were the Chief Minister. Can you please recognise the voices and affirm us if it was you and your boyfriend, Kevin?" Janet closed her eyes. They were correct. But what was new to that? Fifteen years ago, when she had even not contemplated to enter politics, Kevin used to say this dialogue. Over a period, it was a sort of became their codeword of meeting and making love. It was probably the wors

Inflation is a beast that devours everything in its path, and the only way to defeat it is to deprive it of its food.           Story By: S A Spencer Photo by  Andre Tan   “You are actually helping the economy.”           Our lunch hour in the office is a time to unwind and recharge for the rest of the day. Lunchtime in the small office sees nearly everyone gathering in the dining room to unpack their lunch boxes. Most of us choose to buy food from other places instead of cooking at home.           I open my lunch box of pasta: the leftover of last evening.           Before I even took the first spoonful, I asked Joseph, “I don’t get it - how does eating this leftover food help the economy? Are the hungry people in a third world country benefiting from what I eat or how I eat? I am not even donating any food.”           A laugh erupted in the room. We’ve got an hour to chill out and recharge before the next shift.           I’m referring to the economy of this nation, not som

Change is the only constant in this world, and the path to heaven after death is not an exception. Story By: S A Spencer Photo by  Mohamed Nohassi You won’t know whether to laugh or cry after reading this story.           At our regular coffee catch up last weekend, Sam leaned in and whispered, “I have something to confide in you. I trust you won’t breathe a word of this to anyone.”           She didn’t appear to be hiding anything, but rather looked like she was in a rush to spill something out. She was away for a week to visit his sick father in Solomon. Her dad had a huge heart attack and when the ambulance took him to the hospital, the doctors declared him dead. Within an hour, they managed to revive him as he began to show signs of life.           “Doctors were not actually wrong.” Sam had told me when I called her to enquire about her dad. “The head of the cardiology was working for long in Melbourne before moving back to his native place to serve their own people. But the

Despite being scheduled for euthanasia, Bella, the abandoned dog, expresses gratitude to the shelter attendant whom she thought was named God , catching the attention of the divine God above.  Story By: S A Spencer Photo by  fatty corgi Bella had a hunch that something was wrong and couldn’t shake it. Each time Ben and Jenny travelled, they dropped her in the dog hostel owned by Ben’s friend and on the same street where he lived. The couple walked her through the dog hostel every day, where she spent many nights throughout the year, as her owners, Ben and Jenny, travelled frequently.           Bella loved the hostel owner, Mic, during her temporary stays.           She didn’t understand why this time they brought her to a much bigger hostel, long away from their home. The place was so unfamiliar to her. Using doggy language, she tried to convey her request to her owner, but the couple was too occupied to listen.           The moment came for Ben and Jenny to say goodbye. Jenny kn