Stories for The People by The People

Gabriel had never liked the Turks. They were barbaric, he thought, and their religion was false. He had come to Istanbul as the ambassador of the French king, but he had no interest in learning about their culture or their people. He preferred to spend his time in Pera, the European quarter, where he could drink wine and mingle with his fellow Christians. But one day, as he was walking to his favorite tavern, he saw her. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She had dark hair, almond eyes, and a fair complexion. She wore a colorful silk dress and a veil that covered her hair and neck. She was walking with a group of women, escorted by a man who looked like her father. He felt a sudden surge of attraction and curiosity. He wanted to know her name, her voice, her story. He followed them discreetly, hoping to find an opportunity to approach her. But he soon realized that it was impossible. The customs of the Turks were strict, and women were not allowed to talk to strangers, ...

They were the last ones. Out of the billions of people who perished in the nuclear war that destroyed Earth, they were the only ones who survived. A hundred brave souls who boarded the last rocket to Mars, knowing they had no other choice. They knew the odds. They knew they had only enough supplies for a hundred days. They knew they had to find water and grow food on a barren planet. They knew they had no hope of ever returning. They were scientists, engineers, botanists, geologists. They had the skills and the knowledge to make Mars livable. They had the will and the spirit to make Mars their home. They landed on a flat plain near the equator, where the solar panels could catch the most sunlight. They deployed the inflatable habitats and the rovers. They drilled into the ground and found ice. They melted it and purified it and drank it. They used it to irrigate the crops they planted in the hydroponic modules. They celebrated their first harvest and remembered the Earth for its bounty...

Ali was a coffee salesman in Istanbul, the capital of the Ottoman Empire. He had a small shop near the Grand Bazaar, where he sold his aromatic brew to locals and tourists alike. He was proud of his coffee, which he made from beans that he roasted and ground himself. He claimed that his coffee was the best in the city, and many of his customers agreed. One day, a man came to his shop and ordered a cup of coffee. He was dressed in a suit and a hat, and spoke with a strange accent. He introduced himself as John, a journalist from New York. He said he was in Istanbul to write a story about the Ottoman culture and history. He asked Ali if he could interview him and learn more about his coffee business. Ali was curious and flattered by the request. He agreed to talk to John, and they sat down at a table. John asked Ali many questions, such as how he learned to make coffee, how he sourced his beans, how he prepared his drinks, and how he marketed his shop. Ali answered them all with enthusia...