The day I met Dennis, I was a little alarmed, to say the least. My minister had asked me to take the 20-year-old under my wing and try to work with him on the farm. He was an addict with a preference for ‘Tik’ and from our initial meeting, it […]
Mark Roberts
TRUE STORY: The man in the box — Mark Roberts
Dr Clarence Emersley was a small, bald man who sported wide-rimmed spectacles and walked with an unnaturally healthy spring in his step for a man his age. He had been a teacher his entire life and had loved it, which explained why he was still teaching past retirement age. The […]
True story: The man who loved geography — Mark Roberts
In 1954 Graham Sutherland was commissioned to paint a full-length portrait of Winston Churchill which was presented to him at a public ceremony celebrating his 80th birthday. Sutherland was a brilliant painter, but he had the reputation of capturing the “real side” of his subjects. He painted Churchill exactly as […]
TRUE STORY: The girl from the orphanage — Mark Roberts
“What on earth are you planning on doing with all those cupcakes?” I asked, as my wife stumbled over the pathway, carrying two large trays filled with the most colourful looking confectionaries. She responded with that familiar, gorgeous looking smile and said: “It’s leftovers from our school’s ‘Derby Day’ and […]
TRUE STORY: The girl in the flames — Mark Roberts
“The flames are too high, we need to get out of here,” she shrieked as the flames from the bush fire leaped two meters high. The flames seemed to jump and leap, dancing to an unheard rhythmic tune. Like surfers, they were caught in a tunnel while the flames attempted […]
True short story: The baby who was blind, but was seen — Mark Roberts
“You never talk to me. You never share how you are feeling!” My wife was definitely not in a good mood. I had just got home from responding to the rape of a five-year-old girl. The last thing I wanted to do was talk about work or my feelings. As […]
True short story: The girl who died on the streets — Mark Roberts
It was bitterly cold as the young Rebekah wandered down the frost-laden streets of the old city. Most people were in bed, snuggled up next to loved ones or sitting in front of the evening fire. Rebekah had no family and the only thing on the young girl’s mind was […]
True short story: The girl under the stars — Mark Roberts
It was 2am when I jolted up in bed; there was a banging on my bedroom door: “Mark, we can’t find Cathy!” cried Jenny. The look on her face startled me and I knew the girls were worried. Cathy was a quiet lady who had come to the farm for […]
True story: Does love have horns? — Mark Roberts
What does it mean to love, or more importantly what does it mean to be loved? If I had to move around the office and present the same question to my colleagues I can guarantee that every one of them would have a unique and different perspective. This is understandable […]
A short reflection: Mona Lisa’s smile – Mark Roberts
Something startling, but also interesting, happened one evening as I was leaving my room at the Bed & Breakfast where I was staying. I noticed several police vehicles across the road, blue lights flashing and people running around. Apparently, the homeowner had just committed suicide. It still sends chills down […]
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