What Satire are You Reading?

Tom D · Nov 3, 2025

This thread is for sharing your favourite satires or fables or stories.
Feel free to post any story you've enjoyed.

It doesn't have to be your own work----it can be written by others, or told by others, as in my case.
(Provided that there is no copyright violation)

Apple Sky · Nov 3, 2025

The Pharisees are winning

The thought occured to me with all the moral outrage and Culture wars over peoples behaviour and even what they believe and think as being wrong. How its all focused on virtual signalling, being asociated with the right side of history. Identity politics which divides people into groups that...

www.christianforums.com

Tom D said:
How to Get Rch without Knowing Anything
An unmotivated school-leaver with no skills and barely the ability to read ----- somehow beat 150 brilliant candidates to win a prestigious job. What happened?

At the age of 21, Jack Williams finally graduated. But he wasn't graduating from university—he was barely graduating from high school.

Jack wasn't stupid, but with his parents obsessed with making money, there was no time left for him. As a result, Jack's schoolwork was left for dead. He could barely read. At home, he spent all his time playing video games.

Jack has zero interest in his appearance or clothing. He rarely combed his hair and always wore very, very shabby clothes. While he was at school, he was often ridiculed by other classmates.

After leaving school, Jack tried to look for a job but couldn't get one. He was jobless for a long time. He applied for many positions but got nowhere, it's little wonder -- he rarely arrived on time due to sleeping in.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

One day , on the street, Jack met the head teacher from his school - Julie Leading.
"Hello Jack, how are you getting along?"
"Hey, Miss Leading...so nice to see you again.... I am trying to find a job, but...."

After hearing Jack's difficulties, she advised Jack to consult a fortune teller. She jotted down the fortune teller's contact details and passed them to him.
Later that day, once Jack got home, he called the fortune teller.

"Who is it?"
"I need a fortune teller to advice me how to get rich...without knowing anything."

"How to get rich without knowing anything??? ....Oh, yes, your name, please?" the fortune teller inquired.
"Jack," he responded.
"Ah...What time tomorrow would suit you?
The fortune teller arranged the appointment time and ended the call saying, "Be punctual, Jack."
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

However, the following morning, Jack overslept. When he woke up, it was already past the appointment time. Deciding to continue his sleep, Jack resolved to visit the fortune teller the next day instead.

When Jack finally arrived at the fortune teller’s office, she greeted him with a stern look. "I was waiting for you the whole day yesterday....You should have called to reschedule," she scolded, her eyes narrowing. "You caused me to lose a few clients."

With a sigh, the fortune teller beckoned Jack to sit. "What brings you here today? You're the guy...who wants to get rich without knowing anything, right?? You came to the right place." she asked, her tone softening slightly.
"I love clients who don't know anything...", the fortune teller murmured to herself.
After a generous dose of sweet, vague talk which meant nothing, the fortune teller advised him to buy crystals.
Jack bought some crystals from her, hoping they would bring him good fortune.
As Jack left , he felt a renewed sense of determination and hope. The fortune teller's words and the crystals he now carried drove him to feel confident about his future.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

One day, he saw a job ad in the paper, it was published by iClub.

iClub was the top youth fashion house in the country. They were looking for an intern who was a recent high school graduate. What appealed to him was that no qualification or experience was required whatsoever. He launched an application and was told there would be a test for all applicants in 2 weeks' time.

After 2 weeks, Jack went to the iClub headquarters for the test. There were around 150 candidates present. The person who sit next to Jack was named Alessandro, who won a youth fashion design competition some time ago. He was very talented in art and design, and highly confident at this moment.

The examiner, a serious looking woman with glasses, told the candidates that they were given 2 hours. The total score was 1000. The exam proved to be too hard for Jack, he didn't think he performed too well, and doubted if he could score more than 600. After 2 hours, the examiner asked all the candidates to stop, and she started collecting papers from them. There was a folder prepared for each candidate, in which the papers were kept. After all the candidates left, the examiner put all the folders onto her own desk and planned to review them in the next few days.

On that same night, a thief broke into the iClub headquarters. He was a commercial thief, sent by a rival company UStyle. HIs mission was to steal some important design blueprints. By mistake, he went into the examiner's office, mistaking it as the design chief's. He searched all over the place but didn't find what he was looking for. As he was getting impatient, his hands hit the pile of exam folders and some of them dropped onto the floor. Some of the exam papers slipped out of their folders. He quickly picked them all up and put them back on the desk. After a while, he went out of the room. Finally, he found the design chief's office. After a while, he put something into his bag and then left.

The next day, when the examiner returned to her office, she didn't perceive any difference there. She began to review the exam papers and compare the works of candidates. She gave a score for each candidate as she went through his or her work. Finally, she picked the one with the top score.

Four weeks passed after the test. One day, while he was playing video games after getting out of bed at 2 PM, Jack received a call from iClub, and was told he got the job!! To his astonishment, Jack could hardly believe it.

How Jack really got rich.

One day Jack swapped a cow for some beans & the rest is history, his-story.

peaceful-forest · Nov 6, 2025

I will share what I shared earlier with you (I guess it counts as satire).

I heard this one when I was growing up:

A teacher had a gardening project for his students. He gave his students the seeds to plant and grow flowers.

The time came to grade everyone's project. All the students had beautiful flowers, except one student. This one student had nothing.

The student told the teacher, "I tried everything and did exactly as you instructed, but nothing happened."

The teacher gave this student an A+. But all the other students were angry.

The teacher defended himself, "This student did exactly what I told him to do. Besides, I know you all cheated because I cooked the seeds and made them useless."

Tom D · Nov 7, 2025

The Two Apprentices
In a beautiful Austrian town, Master Hans was the most respected carpenter in the region. His work was known not for extravagance, but for its quiet perfection—doors that never creaked, joints that never loosened, and homes that stood for generations. Two young men began their apprenticeship under him.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The first apprentice, Wilhelm, was undeniably brilliant. He could think quickly and had a mind like a blueprint—able to visualize complex designs instantly, calculate angles without measuring, and identify wood types by scent alone. Master Hans praised him often, calling him “a rare talent.” Wilhelm basked in the compliments. He loved being admired and gravitated toward glamorous projects—ornate furniture, decorative carvings, anything that drew attention and applause. He avoided the small, quiet tasks like sanding beams, fixing warped doors, or troubleshooting creaky joints. “Meister, perhaps leave those to Johann,” he’d say. “I was born for bigger things.”

Johann, the second apprentice, was slower. He asked many questions, made mistakes, and often stayed late to redo his work. He didn’t have Wilhelm’s natural flair, but he had something else: perseverance and humility. He greeted Master Hans each morning with a quiet “Guten morgen, Meister,” and listened intently to every correction.

Over time, Johann became the one Master Hans relied on for all the small jobs—tightening loose hinges, adjusting uneven frames, repairing misaligned drawers. He never complained. He treated each task, no matter how minor, as a chance to learn. When thanked, he would simply nod and say, “It was my honour.”
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

One evening, Master Hans showed Johann an old beam from a cathedral workshop. “See this mortise-and-tenon joint? It held roofs above worshippers for hundreds of years. Not because the builders were brilliant, but because they were disciplined. They measured twice, cut once, and cared for every detail. That is why their work still stands.” Johann touched the joint with reverence, realizing that true mastery was not in dazzling designs, but in the patience to make something endure.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

One day, a client came to Master Hans with a troubling problem: the sliding doors in his cafe had begun to stick and groan, disturbing the peaceful atmosphere. “I’ve oiled the tracks, replaced the rollers, even shaved the edges,” the client said, “but nothing works.”

Master Hans turned to his apprentices. “Go together. Find the cause. Fix it.”
They replied, "Yes, Meister."

Wilhelm and Johann visited the cafe. Wilhelm examined the doors, slid them once, frowned, and declared, “It’s a warped frame. Nothing we can do without rebuilding the whole wall.” He left, muttering about wasted time and better uses of his talent.

Johann stayed. He sat on the floor, opened and closed the doors dozens of times, listening. He noticed the sound changed with the weather. He examined the floorboards, the humidity in the wood, the angle of the track. After hours of quiet observation and trial, he discovered the problem: a subtle shift in the foundation had tilted the track just enough to cause friction. He adjusted the base, reinforced the frame, and added a hidden wedge to restore balance.

The next day, the client returned to Master Hans, beaming. “The doors are silent again. It’s like they float.”

Master Hans nodded. “Who solved it?”

“Johann,” the client said. “He’s remarkable—he stayed until it was perfect.”

Wilhelm overheard. He said nothing, but his face tightened.

Later, Master Hans rebuked Wilhelm. “You think you are smart but smartness is nothing without discipline. The world doesn’t need more brilliance, it needs more discipline !”

Wilhelm was furious. That evening, he packed his tools and left the workshop. “I’ll build my own legacy !!” he shouted.

He opened his own carpentry shop in the town square. His reputation as a prodigy drew crowds. Clients lined up for his dazzling designs—spiral staircases, carved mantels, intricate latticework. Business boomed.

But Wilhelm had no one to check his work. Without Master Hans’s quiet oversight, flaws crept in. Joints loosened. Beams warped. Doors stuck. Clients returned with complaints after complaints. Wilhelm blamed the wood, the weather, the mosquitoes—but never himself.

Within a year, the crowds thinned. His shop grew quiet. The town whispered: “Beautiful, but broken.”

Meanwhile, Johann continued his quiet work. He built homes that stood firm, gates that never groaned, and furniture that aged gracefully. He never sought praise—but earned respect.

Apple Sky · Nov 10, 2025

The Beano, not really, but I used to love it, still do! ^_^

Tom D · Nov 10, 2025

Apple Sky said:
The Beano, not really, but I used to love it, still do!

View attachment 372971

Is it that good?
I've never heard of it, I only know Punch and Private Eye.

Apple Sky · Nov 10, 2025

Tom D said:
Is it that good?
I've never heard of it, I only know Punch and Private Eye.

Yes it is, it is well known in the UK.

Apple Sky · Nov 14, 2025

I only read non-fiction but I do watch funny videos. ^_^

Tom D · 2025-11-22T19:34:31-0600

The Thief in Disguise
Who was the real Thief in Disguise? And what was the treasure Fred's father mentioned in his letter?
There lived in Toscana a young man with a love of reading. His name was Fred. He had devoured many books, but one remained unread: the 'Don Quixote'. His curiosity was piqued, and he was determined to read it someday in the future.

His prized possession was a first edition of the 'Don Quixote', a treasured family heirloom passed down through generations. Two hundred years had passed since it was first published in AD 1605. Fred's father, Antonio de Mattei, had bequeathed them to Fred along with a letter written before his passing. Unfortunately, the letter was partially destroyed in a fire. Apart from mentioning 'Don Quixote', the letter also advised Fred to guard some treasures given to him and to never lose them -- because they would greatly contribute to his happiness, though the subsequent words were lost, leaving Fred unsure of what exactly the letter referred to. Nevertheless, Fred believed his father was referring to the two volumes of 'Don Quixote'.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Apart from teaching Fred literacy skills --- rare and valuable gifts in semi-rural areas like their own --- Antonio de Mattei, Fred's late father, also imparted valuable lessons of wisdom to him. Fred lived with his younger sister Ciara and brother Francesco. Also his dog, Enzo. Additionally, their loyal butler, who had started working for the family while Fred's parents were still alive, continued to faithfully serve the household.

Living in the same town was Ruggero Amalfi, who was a friend of a relative of the de Mattei family. He was a man who boasted himself to be a 'smart man.' This Ruggero coveted Fred's 'Don Quixote'. While the book itself was a prized possession, it was not the book itself that captivated his attention, what captivated his attention was a hidden map within its pages. The map contained the secrets to a huge legendary treasure, promising a life of luxury without the need for working or learning again. He thought he deserved to have that book more than anyone else and was determined to acquire it, by any means, including deception and violence.

Ruggero had tried to persuade Fred to sell him the 'Don Quixote', but Fred refused because it was a family heirloom.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Fred's family used to be well off, enjoying days filled with play and leisure. He and his siblings, Ciara and Francesco, reveled in the pleasures of their comfortable life. However, as time passed, their fortunes waned. As the family's financial stability began to decline rapidly, they also faced increasing hardship. Fred decided to alter his lifestyle, focusing more on studies and work and less on play. He believed that through hard work, he could restore his family's well-being and stability.

Feeling sleepy, Fred contemplated going to bed, his body craving rest after the long hours of study. But as he closed his eyes for a brief moment, images of his siblings, filled his mind.

A deep, protective love surged within him. He couldn’t let exhaustion win, not when his dedication could help secure their future. He straightened in his chair, inhaling deeply, willing his tired mind to focus. And so, with renewed resolve, he turned another page, the weight of his love for his siblings pushing him forward.

Suddenly, the tranquility was shattered by a noise—a faint rustling coming from the window. Fred glanced up just in time to see a shadowy figure slip into the room. Ruggero Amalfi, the self-proclaimed 'smart man' had entered stealthily, his eyes scanning the room with predatory intent. He moved cautiously, unaware of where the prized 'Don Quixote' volumes might be hidden. Without a moment's hesitation, Enzo sprang to his feet, barking fiercely. Fred followed suit, quickly rising from his chair. "Enzo, get him!" he shouted, and the loyal canine lunged at Ruggero with fierce determination.

Ruggero, caught off guard by the sudden onslaught, stumbled backward, his eyes wide with shock. Enzo's growling and barking filled the room, a cacophony of protective fury. Fred advanced, determined to protect his home.

Ruggero desperately tried to fend off the dog, but Enzo's unrelenting attack left him with little choice but to retreat. As Ruggero scrambled to escape, Fred joined in, grabbing Ruggero's arm and attempting to restrain him. The struggle was intense, with furniture knocked askew in the chaos. With a final, frantic shove, Ruggero managed to break free from Fred's grasp. He shot a venomous look at Fred and Enzo before fleeing through the window and disappearing into the night.

As Fred surveyed the mess Ruggero had left behind, he couldn't understand why the man had broken into their home. Little did he know that Ruggero's obsession with the 'Don Quixote' volumes was just beginning, and this failed attempt was only the start of his determined pursuit.

A week later, Fred received a letter from a local shoemaker inviting him to become an apprentice and instructing him to attend an interview early the next morning. The shoemaker, who lived on the other side of the river, had nine sons and two daughters, all eager to inherit his trade. Intrigued, Fred wondered why, with so many children to carry on his craft, the shoemaker still sought an additional apprentice. Although he felt somewhat suspicious, he ultimately decided to accept the invitation because of the promising job opportunity.

The following day, when it was time to get up, Fred had a hard time fighting the temptation to sleep a bit longer, as waking up early was never his habit. The bed felt irresistibly comfortable, and the call of sleep was almost overpowering. Just as he was about to give in, the thought of securing a job appeared in his mind. This gave him the motivation to overcome the temptation and rise from his bed. He quickly dressed. Then he set out with Enzo. The morning air was crisp and fresh. To reach the shoemaker's place, Fred needed to cross a quaint stone bridge that spanned a gently flowing river, and then walk half a mile through a countryside path.

However, as they approached the bridge, Fred noticed a sign indicating that it was closed for repairs. After some searching, they found a narrow path that led to a makeshift footbridge further downstream. The bridge looked old but sturdy enough to cross. Carefully, they made their way across the footbridge.

Once across, they continued along the dirt path, which wound through a dense forest.

As they emerged from the forest, they were greeted by a flood of sunshine. In the distance, he spotted a beautiful old house. As he approached, he saw an elderly man was struggling with a heavy bag.

Tom D · 2025-11-22T20:33:02-0600

Upon seeing Fred, the old man called out, "Young man, could you lend me a hand with this burden?" Fred hesitated, feeling the press of time on his shoulders. But seeing the old man's struggle, he decided to help. He nodded and approached the man. "Of course, sir," he replied, taking hold of the bag.

Together, they entered the old house. Fred saw that the house looked as if nobody had been living there for a long time.

The old man led Fred and Enzo through a hall and up a winding staircase. "We need to take this to the top floor," he explained. The house was four stories high, and the climb was arduous. The weight of the bag pressed heavily on Fred's shoulders.

As they ascended, Fred couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. The old man's eyes seemed to glint with a strange light, and his movements were almost too fluid, too graceful for someone of his apparent age. Fred wondered whether the old man was truly who he appeared to be.

Finally, they reached the top floor. The old man opened a door, revealing a room filled with strange, bubbling concoctions and mysterious equipment. Fred set the bag down with a sigh of relief, his muscles aching from the effort.

"Thank you, young man," the old man said. "Would you care to stay for lunch? I've prepared a meal that I'm sure you'll find delightful."

Fred hesitated. He was due for an appointment and knew he shouldn't be late. "I'm sorry, but I really must be going," he replied.

But the old man insisted, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Please, I insist. It would be a shame for you to leave without tasting my cooking." He gestured to a table laden with food.

Fred was tempted and hesitated. The food smelled wonderful, and his stomach growled in response. But then, his father's teachings rose up in his mind, reminding him of the importance of punctuality. He realized that he should not be late for his appointment.

"I'm sorry, but I must go," Fred said firmly, stepping back from the table. The old man's expression darkened, and for a moment, Fred thought he saw a flicker of anger in his eyes.

As Fred turned to leave, the old man's demeanour changed abruptly. With a swift motion, he pulled out a hidden bag of soporific powder and threw its contents at Fred. He stumbled backward, narrowly avoiding the powder. The old man's face twisted into a malicious grin.

Fred's heart pounded in his chest as he scrambled to find an escape. Just then, Enzo, sensing the danger, leaped at Ruggero, barking fiercely. The sudden attack caught Ruggero off guard, and he stumbled, giving Fred a precious moment to run.

Fred ran down the winding staircase. He could hear the old man chasing behind him.

Reaching the ground floor, Fred spotted an open window and made a split-second decision. He leaped through it, landing on the grass outside. Ignoring the pain, he scrambled to his feet and ran, with Enzo close on his heels.

Fred didn't stop running until he was far from the house. Then Fred resumed his journey.

The road ahead was blocked by a fallen tree, and a sign indicated that the path was closed to pedestrians. Fred sighed, realizing they would need to find yet another way. Consulting his map, he decided to take a longer route via a hill road that meandered up and around the forest.

The hill road was steep and rocky. Fred and Enzo trudged onward, their pace slowing as the sun climbed higher in the sky. Both Fred and Enzo became very tired and hungry.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Suddenly, a food hawker appeared, carrying two plates filled with wonderfully fragrant food. It seemed as though he was offering it to them. Driven by instinct, Enzo leapt forward without hesitation and began eating from one of the plates. Animals act on instinct, but humans are different—they can make conscious choices based on reason and emotion.

Unlike Enzo, Fred hesitated. His father’s teachings echoed in his mind, urging caution. He faced a dilemma where reason and emotion battled for control. Torn between his hunger and his father’s lessons, he struggled to decide. In a moment of prudence, he chose not to eat. The food, as it turned out, was soporific, and the hawker was none other than Ruggero in disguise. To Fred’s horror, Enzo collapsed and lay motionless. Only now did Fred realize—it had all been part of Ruggero’s sinister plot.

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What Satire are You Reading?

Tom D

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Apple Sky

In Sight Like Unto An Emerald

The Pharisees are winning

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peaceful-forest

Still Waiting

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Tom D

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Apple Sky

In Sight Like Unto An Emerald

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Tom D

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Apple Sky

In Sight Like Unto An Emerald

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Apple Sky

In Sight Like Unto An Emerald

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