Note to Author Friend Dennis Read:
I think just about any form of human endeavor can take on new dimensions of meaning, depending on what one or more human brains put into it.
Every time I begin one of these projects, I go through a time when I consider Neccabashar, Little Ship, or Witch’s Cookbook to be these silly little stories. Witch’s Cookbook, to be sure. I’ve been embarrassed by it. The childishness I’m allowing myself. The immaturity.
But as I work them, and re-work them, things start emerging, unplanned meanings, deeper humor, more resounding themes. The depth of the stories comes with refining them. I think you will be amazed at the construction I’ve put into place with this “children’s story”. I believe it will answer your challenge to, “do something different” with the form.