3202. In the Sahara © Bruce Goodman 11 May 2025

John never imagined in his long life that he’d die alone and waterless in the middle of the Sahara Desert. He had got separated from his travelling companions and his camel had run off. Not only had the camel run off but John had taken off his sunhat to wipe the sweat off his brow and had placed the hat on top of the camel’s head. Dying hat-less, water-less, and camel-less somewhere in the middle of the Sahara would surely be quick. But it wasn’t. Oh for an oasis! Oh for the shade of even a shabby palm tree! Oh for the tiniest comfort with the touch of some hand! And then he felt someone touch his hand. Most gently. And someone put a damp flannel on his forehead. And he heard someone say “His hallucinations seem to have passed now, Doctor. Hopefully he will sleep peacefully.” John never imagined in his long life that he’d fall down an elevator shaft and be trapped underneath the elevator car. There was no one else in the office building. It was after midnight… Contact Author Back to Index Next Story Previous Story