Long before there was reading, writing, and arithmetic, much of what we have learned about early civilizations was passed down through primeval means like the cave drawings by the Neanderthals, Incas and Aztecs. The Egyptians used hieroglyphics, papyrus and wood to write on - using symbols to represent words. These early attempts to communicate gradually evolved into stories, myths, folklore, and yarns. The Creek Indians developed an alphabet dating as far back as the 1500s, which used symbols for words. The best known of all Indian alphabets was developed by a Cherokee tribesman named Sequoia in the early 1800s. His alphabet enabled them to record their stories, publish a newspaper and print books. Throughout the centuries, newer ways to communicate were developed. The telegraph, telephone, radio, and television, leading to Facebook, Texting, Tweeting, YouTube, and the I-phone have all but replaced the art of storytelling. We all remember the time a teacher whispered a message to a student on the front row and instructed him or her to whisper it to the next student, and so forth until the last student in the class received the message. The teacher then asked that student to stand up and repeat it to the class. As expected, by the time the message was repeated out loud it had changed considerably. The same principal applies to family stories passed down from one generation to another. The stories seem to change every time they are repeated, or fade from memory because of our fast-paced society. Our families seem to spend less time with one another. It is becoming almost impossible to eat a family meal today without someone being on a smart phone. This book is an attempt to save some family stories from the depths of extinction by preserving them in print. Several people have contributed stories they remember hearing during family gatherings. They will be acknowledged in the afterword section of the book. So, sit back and prepare yourself for these stories, yarns, local folklore, tales of apparitions, and other genres. Try to determine for yourself which ones are true or which ones be false. Winston H. Hunt was born in Pennsylvania and moved to Georgia, at age five. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from the Medical College of Georgia, School of Allied Health Sciences - Physician Assistant Program. He has been married to Deborah for forty-eight years. They have two daughters, two sons-in-law, two grandchildren, and three grand dogs. He is retired with over fifty years in the healthcare field. He is the author of two previous books; A Half Bubble Out of Plumb, and A Long Journey Home. He enjoys RV camping, working in the yard, picking up pinecones before mowing, and of course writing.
