Little Tales of The Desert

audiobook

Little Tales of The Desert

by Ethel Twycross Foster

EN·~37 minutes

Chapters

Description

A curious collection of short desert stories invites listeners into sun‑baked landscapes where everyday life and fantasy mingle. From quiet mining camps to moonlit dunes, the tales capture the wonder of children who make the arid Southwest feel like a stage for adventure. Each vignette blends gentle humor with a hint of mystery, perfect for listeners who enjoy cozy yet unexpected narratives.

In the opening story, six‑year‑old Mary worries that Santa’s sleigh can’t cross the endless sand of Arizona. On Christmas Eve a dazzling procession arrives—burros laden with holly, a brightly painted chariot, and a kindly Santa dressed in a khaki coat and sombrero beside a sparkling Joshua tree. He distributes gifts that echo the comforts of home while honoring the desert’s unique charm, leaving Mary with a warm belief that magic visits every corner of the world.

The next tale shifts to a quiet night in the same camp, where a tiny, sharp‑eyed creature slips silently through moonlight, carrying a cactus burr. Its mysterious rustle awakens the children, hinting at secret lives hidden among the desert’s shadows. The story balances gentle suspense with the simple joy of listening to the night’s whispers.

Details

Language

en

Duration

~37 minutes (35K characters)

Publisher of text edition

Project Gutenberg

Credits

Produced by David Edwards, Emmy and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)

Release date

2009-12-15

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

About the author

ET

Ethel Twycross Foster

Best known for a small, vivid collection of desert stories for children, this early 20th-century writer brought the plants, animals, and everyday wonder of Arizona to young readers. Her work has a gentle, observant feel that still makes the setting come alive.

View all books