SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT MY COLLECTION OF STORIES

 

Visitors to my story collection have asked, "Where did you get the cool name of your blog?"

Several years ago, I wrote a poem to my wife, who was dying. I was grieving her imminent death and anticipating her profound absence from my life after her passing.

In the poem's narrative, I made this observation.

'I miss your garden. The waterfall splashing into the small pond where the green frog still lives. Arnold, you called him. Everybody calls their frog Kermit, you said, but Arnold's a better name.'

'I wanted to tell you that last night I heard him chirping in the dark. I don't really know what it is that frogs do at night. Sing, perhaps.' 

'You'd know. But I can't ask.'

*   *   *

I began writing short and flash fiction in 2010.

I've been fortunate to have over 40 short stories and some free-verse poems published, mostly online, in Canada, the UK, and the United States. 

Although I'm submitting for publication less frequently now, several of my stories are accepted every year.

But many are rejected. Over the years, I've come to realize that's just the way it is in the very competitive world of short story submission and publication.

Since my published work is scattered across the Internet, I've collected the stories here. 

It's my equivalent of 'one-stop shopping'—just for you!

Browse to your heart's content, enjoy what you choose to read and make a note of a story or two to read later. Please share my stories with your friends. Invite them to visit and hopscotch through my collection. 

Some editors have exclusive rights that extend well beyond the official publication date; others allow me to post my story here as soon as it first appears in print. I will add to this blog as each newly published piece of my writing becomes available.

In 2026, I confidently expect to have several new stories published in both online and hard-copy publications. 

To discover newly published work, you'll have to return occasionally to 'Don Herald Stories.' 

Please respect that I retain all legal rights to my stories. Therefore, you cannot just copy and post them elsewhere. But ask me if you want to do something with one of my stories. I'm open to considering your proposal. 

Please ask. 

Don't just quietly 'borrow' it from my page!

Thank you for stopping by.

Don Herald is a retired social worker, educator and change consultant. He performed with a local group as an oral storyteller for many years, sharing various versions of his published and 'in-the-moment' impromptu stories. 

Currently, he is the delighted caretaker of a five-year-old chocolate Labrador retriever. He and she peacefully share a home near Toronto, Canada.

June, 2026