Title: 10 Minute Short Stories
Author: Zack Rehfeld
Publisher: Create Space
ISBN: 13-978-1977538536
Pages: 92
Genre: Fiction
Reviewed by: Dan Macintosh
Pacific Book Review Star
Awarded to Books of Excellent Merit
It’s appropriate Zack Rehfeld references Aesop on the first page of the first story in his collection 10 Minute Short Stories. In this one, titled Johnny, he quotes a pastor speaking to a young boy. “I first heard this story when I was very young. It was first told by a man called Aesop.” Although Aesop, whom some believe was a slave in ancient Greece, is an historical figure shrouded in mystery – there are scholars that don’t even believe he ever existed – his stories remain some of the most treasured tales known to man. More than mere stories, though, these writings contained morals. Similarly, Rehfeld fills his writings with impossible to miss suggestions about how to live a better life.
Another story, ’55 Chevy, begins with a few paragraphs about a man who is praised for sticking to a job until it gets done It then switches abruptly to the story about that ’55 Chevy in the title. This vehicular recollection concerns a fixer-upper car where, once seemingly all the fixing of it was finished, “the motor had a knock in it.” Its repairman then felt betrayed by this car he’d restored. “In the end all I had was a pile of junk,” he complains. Our disappointed repairman then proceeds to demolish this betraying car. The moral of this story is that, had he stuck with it until the job was done, his brother could have helped him make final repairs. He learned his lesson, though, because later in life he would not quit until the job was completely done.
Many of these ‘stories’ are taken directly from Rehfeld’s life. Likely not Excalibur, which details one memorable moment in King Arthur’s life, but a latter one titled Billy sure sounds drawn from the actual pages of a life. With this story, which also involves a motor vehicle (in the case, a motorcycle), the main point is that we should never discount the positive impact our kindness can have on others.
The title, 10 Minute Short Stories, is a bit of a misnomer. These stories, at only a few pages in length, usually take fewer than ten minutes to read – even for slower readers. Rehfeld’s writing style is uncomplicated and conversational. He doesn’t attempt to veil his prose in some sort of vague mystique. Rather, he writes these stories pretty much the same way he would tell them to you over coffee at a Starbucks.
All told, there are 38 short stories contained within, as well as one poem. The lone poem is titled Morpheus. Likely inspired by the Greek god of dreams that is found in Ovid’s Metamorphoses, this poem acts as a sincere plea for sweet dreams. “On one who dwells at rest tonight/Weave your basket of images/Fill it with the fruit of whimsy and fantasy.” It reads like before-bedtime words. Indeed, it fits in well with Rehfeld’s original aim for his story collection. “I guess I was inspired to write these stories as a way to tech my stepdaughter about all the kinds of challenges and situations she would one day face in the world.”
Stories oftentimes effectively impart wisdom, whereas blunt advice many times fails. By putting the listener inside a scenario where wise choices are required, rather than suddenly putting somebody on the spot, it somewhat softens the blow. This tactic allows the listener to step outside himself/herself, yet still walk in the protagonist’s shoes. Instead of coming right out and saying, ‘Don’t do that!’ a story with a moral reveals the consequences of unwise decisions.
If our politicians could only learn the art of storytelling, perhaps we’d begin to trust them more. Stories think through situations from start to finish, which is a trait rarely picked up from political discourse. Zack Rehfeld is a master storyteller, and he’s given us plenty of literary food for thought, as well as creative ways to think about making wiser choices.
