David Kininmonth has a higher purpose in mind.  Why do you not, sir, click here to return to home page?
The author - click here to investigate
AUTHOR
An Abridged History - click here to investigate
RAILWAY
A Handbook of Volapük - click here to investigate
VOLAPÜK
Elephantina - click here to investigate
ELEPHANTINA
Novgorod - click here to investigate
NOVGOROD
Fiction
fed on the sorry left-overs of
Fact

Catherine Auchmuty Kininmonth firmly approves of a good book, but suggests that these are not such.  Please would you click here to return to the stories-page Unpublished short stories

None of the stories listed below have been published in book or magazine. There may, of course, be a very good reason for that omission. But please treat them gently, they're all I have. Click on any one to read it; if you like it, read another. Print them off and read them to others.

If - by chance - you like one or more of them, please let me know.



Useful Gadgets

Stories about Santa Claus, Animals, Hamsters, Christmas, Toys and other important matters.

Suitable for the young, the innocent, those with sparkly lights in their eyes (three quite distinct groups)

  • Best Before End - what exactly happens when food reaches its sell-by date...?
  • Bird Feed Balls - a slightly mistaken analysis of the situation in the pet-shop.
  • Dragonory - a little tale of a sad and lonely young dragon. This one is illustrated by my wife and friend, Annette.
  • Why Elephants are Red ...and who painted that way anyway?
  • If... - don't be sad if certain accidents about the home just happen.
  • The Leopard Box - or should that be a letter-box?
  • Primary 1M - or, why bears do not need to go to school.
  • The Santa Claus Trap ...and how it works.
  • Samosa Male Mouse and Some Mousled Mail - a mouse falls into a pillar box and is captured by Donald Farsier's evil minions. Some Very Dangerous Trousers are involved.
  • Toyz 'R' Useless - spend your pocket-money here, you won't regret it!
  • A Useful Gadget - especially when it's given to you by Santa Claus.
  • Where to Look for Forgotten Words - all the ones you thought you'd lost, and those you wished you had.
  • A Christmas Present - for a lonely hamster.


  • Fantastic Soup -

    Stories about Sheep, Grannies, Magic and resulting Unfortunate Events, Aliens and School, Yuletide Humbug, Noah's Arks, and so on.

    Suitable for the gloomy, the exhausted, the betrayed, the oblivious - suitable, in short, for anyone under the age of 18.

  • Alphabetter - A is for Agamid, B is for Beluga, C is for Chittagong...
  • As Shepherds Watched - but what did the sheep do?
  • The Back Page - some small ads, and some larger, more dangerous, ones
  • The Bah-Hum Bug - over-run and over-wrought - Xmas Day looms
  • The Bethly Hen - a bit of a fowl-up on names
  • Cardboard Boxing Day - those Festive Days when every present has to be displayed
  • Castaways - ever been stuck in traffic? Perhaps, but not like this!
  • Counting Sheep - exactly what it says
  • Court Martial - granny is abducted by aliens
  • Entomology - what do you do when your parents keep turning into insects?
  • Falling Angels - industrial strife up in Heaven
  • Granny's Phantastick Soupe - a recipe for a soup that cures all ills
  • Gridlock on the SC Freeway - the night before Christmas and the skyways are jammed with delivery-sleighs
  • Happy Heron - a heron muses on the many joys of life
  • Home Economics - cooking made easy - and dangerous
  • I Spy - a magician has problems with spelling
  • Johnstone Nursery School - nursery pupils from Planet X
  • Lumpsters - a rare sea-creature saved from extinction by glue alone
  • Measle Soup - be careful what you shop for!
  • Nick Santos - modernising Christmas does not always have happy results
  • A Single Olive Leaf - Noah's Ark ... or Arks?
  • Have You Seen This Dog? - a missing pet with a difference
  • Quarriers - Scottish mysteries, Scottish landscapes, and magical artefacts.
  • The Red and The Grey - no, not a tribute to Michel Faber or Stendhal, more a tale of squirrelian subterfuge.
  • Running Away from Home - the Big Bad Wolf takes some creatures for a day out
  • Santa's Grotto - the Three Bears make some money at Christmas
  • Scavenging in the 3rd Dimension - homework with that extra dimension...
  • The Scone of Destiny - and all things Scottish
  • The Sky at Night - finally, astronomical proof of the Man in the Moon
  • Storms in a Teacup - please listen very carefully to the following safety-announcements!
  • All Kinds of Terrans - the Venturians invade Plant Earth
  • TF Enterprises - big business and the Tooth-Fairy
  • Trousering the Elves - Mrs. Claus is very annoyed indeed
  • Waiting for an Ark - it's no fun, waiting for the rain to stop, and all around smelly creatures jostle for position
  • Where the Snowmen Went in Winter - indeed, where did they go?


  • MOTs While you Wait -

    Stories about Death, Deception, Disappointment, Despair, Growing Old, Internet scams, Disillusionment, Musicians, Science: the Futility of Everything.

    Suitable only for those who have the vote; and prisoners at Her Majesty's Pleasure; and the Queen.

  • I Like Aerated Water - how to spoil a wolf's appetite
  • The Atlantic Ocean - Other Uses - how about none at all?
  • The Life of Armchairs - parental habits drive children from home
  • The Art of the Fugue - the Bach dynasty takes over New York's underworld
  • ASBO - anti-social behaviour and the God of the Sun
  • A Beaverment in the Family - sad news
  • Der Besucherschreck - how to drive the tourists away
  • Big Horace's Bid for Fame - Big Horace wants the big time, and gets it
  • Big Horace's Tie Collection - Big Horace's passion for ties gets him into high social circles
  • The Breadalbane - the missionary ship of the Wee Frees
  • The Chignecto Marine Transport Railway Company - Mr Henry Ketchum's unfinished dream.
  • The Cockerel and the Chiropractor - a lost fable by Aesop has been uncovered...
  • Crucial Cool Cat Prowling - man, ain't I just the coolest furry creature on the block?
  • Cryptography - the mysteries of terminal illnesses
  • Staring into Darkness - Nuremberg, 1945.
  • A Matter of Death and Life - an expedition finds the portals of the Underworld
  • A Dog and His Gifts - a faithful dog gets his reward - in your dreams!
  • Easy Meat - food? No problem. I just lies here and it comes to me.
  • Edvard Elk, Bicycle Borrower - finagling in the pine-forests of Finland
  • The Enigma - recollections of a dying man
  • God's Fishing-Line - not a kite caught in the trees, something altogether different
  • The Unwillingness of Foreigners to Understand - a building-site in Berlin, late 1970s
  • Grudge Matches - some teachers never forget. Even in tiddlywinks.
  • The Labours of Hercules - a bad day at work? It could be worse.
  • Horace Cooks his Goose - Big Horace cooks his way to world domination.
  • Horoscope - which star-sign did you say you were? Sagittarius? Hilarious? Republican?
  • Horseradish and Buttercup Tea - all manner of good things to stave off the ravages of time
  • The Grand Illusionist - Big Horace moves into the world of film
  • Jason and the Aggronauts - cruising bullies of the Ancient World
  • Keeping It In the Family - Mrs. Death is fed up with doing absolutely everything for her ungrateful family! She walks out on Death and all the little Deaths.
  • Granny's Raincoat - granny's raincoat is very attractive
  • The Mad Inventor - a scientist stands at the Pearly Gates, seeking admittance: no chance!
  • Molehills, Mountains - the President targets an underground Axis of Evil
  • Mrs Poots - Mrs Poots could see into the future. But will it do any good?
  • Nothing.com - Big Horace's greatest scam
  • One Thing At A Time - how to write a story when there's only one sheet of paper?
  • M. Otlet's Traite de Documentation - an early version of the Internet: entirely true
  • Ouwę, Ouwę - Middle High German poets on the slide
  • Past Repairs - do you wish your life had been different?
  • Phil the Greek - recreational L.A. chemist Enrico 'The Doc' Fausto meets his match in Phil Stopheles
  • Please Close the Door - especially when it leads to the Other Side
  • ˝ Rabbit ˝ Dog - and similar useful inventions
  • The Radio - a comfy armchair, a quiet night, and an old radio. What more could you want?
  • Reverse Charges - a strange phone-call in the middle of the night ... from an unborn grandson?
  • The Ride of the Valkyries - Wagner's club is in its twilight years
  • Red Riding Hood - or, grandmother and the wolves (warning: this may offend)
  • Rustling - Big Horace has another brilliant wheeze. Lock up your sheep!
  • Safe Passage - the route from this world to the next goes straight down Mrs Downing's hall-way.
  • The Second Charade - a history lesson from people who really know (so not your teacher, then)
  • Seeing Red - pillar-boxes are pillar-box red. Until a European Directive comes through.
  • Sleeping Bags - how grannies may keep warm AND still annoy their children
  • A Slight Diversion - a tour-bus takes a wrong turning.
  • The Song of Inheritance - like father, like son.
  • Speechless - when the Government began to tax the use of popular words, it was time to turn to the dictionary.
  • Squeaks - a slightly unwelcome interruption to a cocktail party.
  • St Andrews Night - a paean to Scottish-ness
  • Stars No More - the End of All Time?
  • The State of Nebraska - my grandfather arrives in New York
  • State Secrets - Teenage Taciturnity saves the World!
  • Stilduden - Dudes and Style - Fritz da Kool Kat says it all.
  • Stone the Crows - the President finds more enemies out there.
  • Take Aways - the Squirrels order a take-away, and are not pleased with the service
  • Wildlife World - Mr. Badger is driven to crime by modern commerce
  • Will Clark Kent Save the World ? - well, he is getting on a bit...
  • Winterschlussverkauf - managerial exploitation at Christmas-time
  • Wolfie and Jo-Jo - Mozart and Haydn down the Sunday market
  • Yo! Kick Ass! - Schiller and Goethe converse, street-wise


  • Turckyz -

    The turkeys have taken over the farm as part of the long-term strategy of the Permanent Fowl Revolution. Follow the chronicles of their lead historian, a master of the orthographical art.

    To be read seceretly, under cover of darkness; if discovered, stuff the papers into your mouth and chew rapidly.


  • Turcky Lurking - the turkeys have taken over Mr Johnson's farm, as Brother Nubbly explains
  • Storming the Basteel - spreading the Revolution to the French Hens
  • Eestur Rizing - daft bunnies and terrible things with eggs
  • Krismis Listz, Krismis Karlz, Krismis Biskitz - an alternative Christmas List
  • Lettirs to the Edittir - the battle for the hearts of the people
  • A Littel Read Book - never trust a publisher dressed in fox's clothing
  • Long Martchiz - spreading the Revolution far and wide is tiring
  • May Day! - the Geese seek fraternal aid. Long live the Revolution!
  • Muzak Kritikz - the oppressed rise up against piped Muzak!
  • New Yeerz Revolushunz - revolutionary plans for the future
  • Oktober Whoopy - Liberation for Ostriches! Jawohl!
  • Pyritz - The turkeys are back. They have yet another master-plan to take over the world.
  • Red-sootid Gentilmen - or, never trust anyone at Christmas.
  • How the Turckyz Rited Rongz - a veteran revolutionary looks back over the Fowl Revolution
  • Summur Solstiss - Woolly Bully, Wriggly Piggly and Sleepy Sheepy and the revolution, man.
  • Thanx Giving end Partyz - North American birds give thanks for the Revolution
  • Young Turckz - Did someone say the youth of today have no appetite for Revolution? Think again!


  • Hamsters Have... -

    ...tremendous technological advantages over humans, and an enormous appetite. These two great attributes propel them into mighty adventures.

    Recommended reading for anyone with an interest in Science and/or Intelligent Design. Both parties will, of course, be disappointed...


  • Hamsters Have - introducing Haricot Bert and Patty Perkins, fearless flying Hamsters
  • Grandad's Alsatian (Teeth) - the Hamsters have invented false-teeth which speak in other languages
  • L'Aspiratter - The French hamsters have stolen a march in the scientific world - or have they?
  • Brack & Deckel - Where would we be without skilled tradesmen?
  • Credible Feats - Hamsters go faster on bikes.
  • Eurohamsters - a Valentine's Day with a touch of...class?
  • Fashion Victims - Gothic Perkins moves with the times
  • Gods They Be - the mice have seen creatures of a superior intelligence
  • Hamsterchondriacs - Dr. P.H.Dee diagnoses exhaustion and prescribes increased feeding and sleeping.
  • Hamsters Have No Alien Artefacts - Patty Perkins struggles with alien technology
  • Hamster Have Branes - surfing all eleven dimensions, and maybe some more. All part of a hamster's night's work...
  • Hamsters Have Tertiary Education - hamsters conquer the academic world
  • The Humble HamsterBee - Broccoli Bill bounces, and can prove it
  • hMail - Hamster-mail on the Internet - or is it just Virtual Reality?
  • iHamsters - who do you think invented (and now controls) the Internet?
  • Invisible Ink - serious money and a Valentine's Day card
  • A Living Legend - an elder hamster shows how pest-control should be done
  • Magpies Have Tunes - a master-plan for scaring seagulls, another triumph from HamLabs
  • New Hour's Resolutions - they don't last long...
  • London may have the Oyster Card, but Edinburgh has the Trams. And hamsters have them all.
  • Plasmonics - Dr P.H.Dee unveils the next generation of light sources
  • Presents - the difference between a present and a PRESENT - fully explained by Patty Perkins
  • Strictly Come Hamsters: Salsa? The Conga? The Limbo? - they do them all!
  • Standard Grade Pouching - a difficult exam for Hamsters
  • Stumpy Ballantyne's Day - some surprising traditions for 14th February
  • SuperScanner - Riddle Dumble launches an experiment in cosmic light
  • Testing Drives - if you see a Hamster driving, drive the other way!
  • The Cloning - HamLabs can clone practically anything at all anything at all anything at all
  • Windpower - Brussels Sprouts and renewable energy, explained.
  • Zoomster - the new ray-gun goes Zap! and Pow!...and Oops!


  • The usual copyright stuff... All stories and book extracts appearing on this site © Andrew Drummond 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012.
    The right of Andrew Drummond to be identified as the author of these works has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988.

    All rights reserved. No part of these publications may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any form, or by any means electronic, mechanical or photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the express written permission of the author.