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A Shadow Between the Trees: A Short Story
Sasquatch, Yeti, Bigfoot, Abominable Snowman - we’ve heard the myths. What if they really existed, but not as we thought? What if they weren’t the monsters?
Excerpt:
Ben dreamt he and his brother were in the woods being chased by a pack of baying dogs. They were getting closer and closer, making him feel like a hunted fox. Suddenly he was one, scurrying alone and scared with no place to hide. Then he heard his name being called. Frantic. Desperate. It sounded like his dad and Uncle Harley! He tried to call to them, but as a fox could only yip and yowl.
A light hand on his mouth woke him and the sweet smell he had noticed the day before invaded his nostrils. Florence was leaning over him and he thought she looked frightened. Then he heard it. “Ben! Ben!” called over and over, faint but still audible amongst the cries of the dogs. He sprang up, sucking in air to call out. Florence touched her fingers to his lips again, eyes wide and beseeching.
In the shows he watched with Billy, aliens were usually the bad guys. They destroyed worlds. They abducted humans and stuck them with probes. But he had seen one or two where aliens were the victims. Captured. Dissected. It took only a moment for him to understand.
Billy had asked if he was a man or a mouse. His answer hadn’t changed. Summoning every ounce of fortitude he had, he made the first moral choice of his young life. He kept silent until the sounds of the rescue party faded.
“Can’t I ever go home?” he asked at last. Her mournful reply left him without an answer.
Excerpt:
Ben dreamt he and his brother were in the woods being chased by a pack of baying dogs. They were getting closer and closer, making him feel like a hunted fox. Suddenly he was one, scurrying alone and scared with no place to hide. Then he heard his name being called. Frantic. Desperate. It sounded like his dad and Uncle Harley! He tried to call to them, but as a fox could only yip and yowl.
A light hand on his mouth woke him and the sweet smell he had noticed the day before invaded his nostrils. Florence was leaning over him and he thought she looked frightened. Then he heard it. “Ben! Ben!” called over and over, faint but still audible amongst the cries of the dogs. He sprang up, sucking in air to call out. Florence touched her fingers to his lips again, eyes wide and beseeching.
In the shows he watched with Billy, aliens were usually the bad guys. They destroyed worlds. They abducted humans and stuck them with probes. But he had seen one or two where aliens were the victims. Captured. Dissected. It took only a moment for him to understand.
Billy had asked if he was a man or a mouse. His answer hadn’t changed. Summoning every ounce of fortitude he had, he made the first moral choice of his young life. He kept silent until the sounds of the rescue party faded.
“Can’t I ever go home?” he asked at last. Her mournful reply left him without an answer.
20 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 27, 2021
1 person is currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
Nannette Kreitzman
44 books52 followersI'm a retired stay at home mom and happy empty nester. I spend my morning walks dreaming up short story ideas, but despite my carefully laid plans, my characters always manage to change things up! I've learned to pay attention to them though, they're usually right.
You can find me on Instagram @netts_shorts
Check out my Reference Guide Blog for Author’s Notes and excerpts for all of my stories!
https://nannettekreitzman.blogspot.com/
You can find me on Instagram @netts_shorts
Check out my Reference Guide Blog for Author’s Notes and excerpts for all of my stories!
https://nannettekreitzman.blogspot.com/
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 18, 2023
A lovely little tale full of heart that shows us compassion and kindness can go a long way.
A short story told in beautiful prose, that is bound to make readers reflect on what humanity really is. A rather unique, whimsical, touching and impactful take on the Bigfoot legend, that reminds us being different is not a bad thing.
This book is all of the above and more. It’s a beautiful life lesson steeped in mystery and gentle acceptance.
A short story told in beautiful prose, that is bound to make readers reflect on what humanity really is. A rather unique, whimsical, touching and impactful take on the Bigfoot legend, that reminds us being different is not a bad thing.
This book is all of the above and more. It’s a beautiful life lesson steeped in mystery and gentle acceptance.
August 10, 2021
If I thought I was a fan of Nannette Kreitzman's short stories before, well, this story just further solidified it!
I don't want to spoil anything, but this new take on the Bigfoot legend really gave me room for pause. Not just a fast-paced, story that keeps you turning the pages for more, but an impactful story about human nature. Highly recommend!
I don't want to spoil anything, but this new take on the Bigfoot legend really gave me room for pause. Not just a fast-paced, story that keeps you turning the pages for more, but an impactful story about human nature. Highly recommend!
July 7, 2023
On first reading this short story, I thought it was a charming and heartwarming tale of a lost little boy and the "people" who help him. But the more I thought about it afterwards, the more I realised there were many layers and meanings to the tale. It is about intolerance, racism, and bigotry. About the human default emotions of suspicion and hostility to anything we don't understand or know. It shows how a simple act of kindliness can overcome fear and ultimately lead to a richer and more fulfilling existence. Like most of this author's short stories, pick away the top layer and a complex tapestry of the human condition is revealed. And all of that is packed into a few sparse pages. It takes real talent to write meaningful short stories that say so much in so few words, and this author is a master of her craft.
September 8, 2021
Does Bigfoot exist?
Kreitzman has a knack for short stories that grab you from the start and pull you through the pages with ease.
A Shadow Between Trees is no exception!
Young Ben is your typical little boy who just wants to hang out with his big brother, Billy. But as we all know, older siblings don't always feel the same.
Wanting to teach Ben a lesson for being such a nuisance, Billy devises a plan to scare him by hunting Big Foot.
The plan works, not only scaring Ben, but Billy as well. He runs away leaving a wounded Ben to discover the truth behind Bigfoot by himself.
Who are these mysterious creatures? Will Ben escape from them or will he learn a bit more about kindness and acceptance?
Grab this quick read and find out!
Kreitzman has a knack for short stories that grab you from the start and pull you through the pages with ease.
A Shadow Between Trees is no exception!
Young Ben is your typical little boy who just wants to hang out with his big brother, Billy. But as we all know, older siblings don't always feel the same.
Wanting to teach Ben a lesson for being such a nuisance, Billy devises a plan to scare him by hunting Big Foot.
The plan works, not only scaring Ben, but Billy as well. He runs away leaving a wounded Ben to discover the truth behind Bigfoot by himself.
Who are these mysterious creatures? Will Ben escape from them or will he learn a bit more about kindness and acceptance?
Grab this quick read and find out!
October 21, 2021
I’m a recent convert to the short story. It’s great to be able to mix them in with my regular reading in the longer format, skipping back and forth between worlds. Nannette Kreitzman is particularly adept at whisking the reader away, and she does that again here in ‘A Shadow Between The Trees’.
What starts out as a playful adventure between two brothers rapidly turns into something much more serious as young Ben and Billy find themselves face to face with a situation which was surely only the stuff of myths. Ben digs deep and finds something in him he did not know was there. The result is a beautifully crafted story which teaches us something fundamentally important about the way we should view relationships with those we live near to and with.
What starts out as a playful adventure between two brothers rapidly turns into something much more serious as young Ben and Billy find themselves face to face with a situation which was surely only the stuff of myths. Ben digs deep and finds something in him he did not know was there. The result is a beautifully crafted story which teaches us something fundamentally important about the way we should view relationships with those we live near to and with.
November 1, 2023
This was unputdownable. I devoured this it under fifteen minutes!
Ms Kreitzman is one of my favorite authors of all time. With every story I have been moved, amazed, just blown away by her creativity, her massive talent, and this time is no different.
While big foot hunting with his older brother Billy, young Ben fall into a world he could never have come up with in his wildest imaginings. A world that teaches him lessons that will profoundly affect him and everyone he comes into contact with forever.
The ending had me bawling.
Ms Kreitzman is one of my favorite authors of all time. With every story I have been moved, amazed, just blown away by her creativity, her massive talent, and this time is no different.
While big foot hunting with his older brother Billy, young Ben fall into a world he could never have come up with in his wildest imaginings. A world that teaches him lessons that will profoundly affect him and everyone he comes into contact with forever.
The ending had me bawling.
September 13, 2025
Mainly told though the eyes of five-year-old Ben, this touching story tugged at my heartstrings. It brings to mind the importance of our interactions with others, no matter how different they might seem, and reinforces hope for a better tomorrow. The author skillfully transitions between what a young boy perceives to what he perceives in his later years as a grandfather. A beautifully crafted and thought-provoking story that I highly recommend.
February 2, 2024
Bittersweet
Regrets can stay with us forever. But so can good memories. This short story has both. A touching story of human inadequacy but a child’s acceptance.
I always love Kreitzman’s short stories. Almost always, they make me stop and think for just a moment about something deeper.
Regrets can stay with us forever. But so can good memories. This short story has both. A touching story of human inadequacy but a child’s acceptance.
I always love Kreitzman’s short stories. Almost always, they make me stop and think for just a moment about something deeper.
August 13, 2021
In this enchanting short story, Kreitzman gently reminds us that there is more that connects than divides us if we put aside prejudice and fear.
A quiet contemplative read tinged with regret and redemption
A quiet contemplative read tinged with regret and redemption
October 11, 2021
A walk in the woods
What if big foot wasnt a monster? In this story, Ben gets injured and is rescued by a creature. Unable to return him home, he stays and heals with them, learning empathy and care along the way. Such a touching story!
What if big foot wasnt a monster? In this story, Ben gets injured and is rescued by a creature. Unable to return him home, he stays and heals with them, learning empathy and care along the way. Such a touching story!
March 24, 2023
I was captivated by this story, totally immersed.
It brought into focus that we should be kind to each other, even if someone looks very different to us.
I'll definitely be reading more stories from this author.
It brought into focus that we should be kind to each other, even if someone looks very different to us.
I'll definitely be reading more stories from this author.
August 27, 2022
Oh, I loved this story! This is a fascinating theory on a favorite legend, Bigfoot! The author weaves in a beautiful life lesson. This is a short, feel-good tale that still has me smiling. Great job!
September 8, 2024
Heartwarming
This story was heartwarming, yet sad in its message. We, as a species, still have so far to go. I highly recommend this short!
This story was heartwarming, yet sad in its message. We, as a species, still have so far to go. I highly recommend this short!
October 11, 2022
A Shadow Between the Trees is another great short story by Nannette Kreitzman. Ben is out picking peaches with his granddaughter in the forest when he's reminded of a childhood experience. After an injury in his early years, a being rescued Ben and led him to a little-known area of the forest.
The story moved along at a fast pace, so it's easily digestible for those who want to read an interesting story during a lunch break or while waiting for an appointment. The dialect is indicative of the setting, and the writing is full. I recommend A Shadow Between the Trees to any reader who enjoys short stories with a bit of mystery or science fiction.
The story moved along at a fast pace, so it's easily digestible for those who want to read an interesting story during a lunch break or while waiting for an appointment. The dialect is indicative of the setting, and the writing is full. I recommend A Shadow Between the Trees to any reader who enjoys short stories with a bit of mystery or science fiction.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews