Story telling has been a means since the beginning of time to relate the history, humor and happy times of life. It may contain a gory tale of battle, a glorious happening in one personal life, a grand sharing of the way it use to be, a goodnight story for restful sleep or maybe great events to be remembered as history unfolds in time from generation to generation. Story telling has always brought fancies and fact to life. Many stories portray deep truths of life. Some are simply fairy tales. However, you will always catch the attention of someone when you speak "Once upon a time" or as we say in the Deep South, "You ain't gonna believe this." Jesus spoke in parables (story-telling with spiritual motive). He shared forty parables during His ministry on earth as recorded in the New Testament. Each was dynamic and directed to emphasis a great nugget of truth in living the Christian life. I have collected, over the years of my ministry, many short stories that meant so much to me. I have shared marvelous truths applicable to daily living. I have written little stories that revealed spiritual truths. Many of these short stories I formed into "parables." I have preached some of these "modern day parables" as sermons to my church congregations. Therefore, I pray that you will be blessed and benefited by each one shared in this first edition of "Once Upon a Time." I hope a thought will grab your attention for brief moments from time to time as you scan through this book and allow the stories to seal within you the spiritual point or purpose of each little story. You will laugh at you read some. You may cry as you read others. You may shake your head in belief or unbelief that we have so many objects of life that reveal divine truth to us. It is amazing how the Holy Spirit reveals great nuggets of truth from grains of earthly things. So, get comfortable, confine yourself from distractions and consecrate as you read each story.