Here are some samples of my short fiction. Most of it is humorous. All of it will make you think. Or sleep. One of those.

The Secret of the Eternal City

By: Paul S Cilwa	Occurred: 1/1/1975 Posted: 12/11/2019		Page Views: 2,283
Hashtags: #Writing #AdamStrange #FanFiction
My attempt at Adam Strange fan fiction.
Estimated reading time: 141 minute(s) (33533 words)

One of my very favorite superheroes, even over Superman, is the DC character Adam Strange. This character, who was a normal-human archaeologist on Earth, each story would be teleported via "Zeta Beam", to the planet Rann in the Alpha Centauri star system, where he would have an adventure (in which he would save Rann from certain doom), before the Zeta Beam wore off and he was drawn back to earth, there to wait for the next Zeta Beam to take him back.

A Tower of Babel

By: Paul S Cilwa	Posted: 3/20/2023		Page Views: 575
Hashtags: #ShortStories #ArtificialIntelligence
Communication is key. But for what lock?
Estimated reading time: 7 minute(s) (1617 words)

In the heart of Mesopotamia, in the city of Babyl, a mighty shape could be seen under construction rising above the horizon for many, many miles away. The Ziggurat, as it was called, was to be the tallest and most impressive structure the world had ever seen. Constructed under orders from the Babylonian's God King, Marduk, it had been a source of steady employment for many generations. Marduk was generous, and the people of Babyl spared no expense in training the best engineers, programmers, lawyers, architects, and other specialists to ensure its success. However, as years passed, construction slowed to a virtual halt, and Marduk demanded a top-level meeting to determine what the problem was, and find a solution.

There Was An Old Woman

By: Paul S Cilwa	Posted: 2/17/2026		Page Views: 185
Hashtags: #ShortStories #HumorousFiction
Best to hold out for a sneaker.
Estimated reading time: 4 minute(s) (902 words)

It is an imposing residence, but interestingly it does not stand out in its neighborhood as one would think it should; perhaps because it is set so far back from the street. We pass through the wicker gate and meander, along with the walk, towards the sounds of children's laughter—Many children's laughter—coming from our destination: a three-story, half-Wellington shoe.

Before the Winter Comes

	Occurred: 3/13/1973		Page Views: 3,123
Hashtags: #ShortStories
What happens when the lifeguard is unable to save the girl?
Estimated reading time: 29 minute(s) (6812 words)

He drops to the sand, liking the sensation produced by the sudden stiffening of the ground as his weight hits it, followed by its softening when he releases the pressure. Idly he traces the outline of a car with his toe, then stands back and inspects it and the rainbow reflecting on the wet sand around it.

Brian and the Pot of Gold

	Posted: 3/13/1965		Page Views: 3,219
Hashtags: #ReligiousPolitics #Spirituality #ShortStories
I won my eighth grade writing contest with this tale!
Estimated reading time: 7 minute(s) (1653 words)

Brian was startled. The leprechaun's pot of gold had been the thought farthest from his mind when he had helped Paddy. Obviously the little man had the wrong idea of humans. Perhaps he had met a few greedy people, and thought that they all were that way.

Dandruff Of The Gods

By: Paul S Cilwa	Posted: 12/9/2019		Page Views: 1,673
Hashtags: #Writing #Parody #Comedy
A parody of 'Chariots of the Gods?' I wrote before I, too, became convinced that our creators were aliens. Still...funny is funny!
Estimated reading time: 4 minute(s) (920 words)

Do you believe the Earth was colonized by gods from outer space who came here from millions of light-years away to found a colony two-and-one-half miles northeast of Little Rock, Arkansas? Do you believe that mankind has been periodically aided by the advanced wisdom of humanoid aliens who have gifted us with some of their great knowledge, making possible such things as prehistoric electric batteries and ancient acoustic tile? If so, new evidence may have proven you wrong!

Final Exam

By: Paul S Cilwa			Page Views: 4,071
Hashtags: #ReligiousPolitics #Spirituality #ShortStories
What if you got to Heaven…and found that you didn't like it?
Estimated reading time: 12 minute(s) (2830 words)

Emily looked up. The light of God was so intense it could be seen through the ceiling. "'No one can look at the Face of God and live,'" she quoted. "But I'm dead. Someone needs to tell Jesus what's going on here before it's too late."

Her Noon

			Page Views: 3,975
Hashtags: #ShortStory #Humor
A gender-reversal send-up of the Gary Cooper classic.
Estimated reading time: 5 minute(s) (1046 words)

Morning dawned fair and quiet…quieter than usual, since most of the townsfolk had moved away during the night. With their sheriff dead, Desolation wasn't going to be worth living in.

My Favorite Pope

By: Paul S Cilwa	Posted: 12/10/2019 Updated: 12/10/2019		Page Views: 1,957
Hashtags: #Writing #Humor #Religion
What TV needs is a sitcom about a funny pontiff.
Estimated reading time: 3 minute(s) (688 words)

Isn't television fascinating? Through the years it has shown us greed, tragedy and illicit sex…and that's just on the evangelists' shows! But I've just had the most wonderful idea for a TV show. It truly has everything: romance, adventure, fantasy, religion, even doctors and police. It's called, "My Favorite Pope".

Suited For The Job

			Page Views: 3,241
Hashtags: #ShortStories #Humor
Carlos needed the job…but somehow, he just felt like a clown.
Estimated reading time: 5 minute(s) (1159 words)

He had to admit he looked a little wild. It was his hair, basically. He had none on top, but the hair at the sides of his head was long and luxurious. It wasn't subtle hair, either; it was bright red and Carlo had always worn it brushed out for maximum effect. But, looking critically in the mirror, Carlo had to admit that it just made him look like all the other clowns who tried to compensate for baldness by growing it where it could be grown.