Tales is a storybook of allegories where animals and humans confront and overcome hard decisions. The UNICORN is feared by other animals until a forest fire gives him the opportunity to show that he is not only one of them, but also their saviour. In NINE WILD PIGLETS, the runt of the litter, through cleverness and cunning, overcomes all odds and becomes the leader of all his siblings. In ONE HUNDRED SQUIRRELS, three armies, Red, Gray and Black, are set to fight to the death for a cottage-sized section of the Forest until four yellow squirrels convince them of the futility of war. In the last story, ONE MILLION BEETLES, all the animals of the Forest and their Hunters meet on the night of The Moon of Blood and, through the intervention of the light of these million fireflies, form an understanding for everlasting peace between them.
Charles P. Helmsville was born and raised in rural England. Upon leaving school, he became a solicitor's clerk. In his early 20s, he moved to Perth, then Melbourne, working in the legal profession and travelling throughout Australia, before moving permanently to Toronto, Canada, where he practised law as a barrister for 38 years, rounding a career in law spanning over 50. He has travelled extensively, covering six continents, and is married with two lawyer sons. His passions in life are current world affairs, peaceful walks in ravines, his lovely granddaughters and grandson, and writing.