contact the author : marfuta30 @ yahoo.com ~ # # # ~ fundamental problems a handful of fables by michael j. tobias smashwords edition text copyright 2013 michael j. tobias all rights reserved contents acknowledgements fundamental problems literary snob the muse gradual epiphany the crossing the minstrel 's tale about the author acknowledgements the following people provided valuable feedback along with generous encouragement : molly west , mary beth tiblier , deb corbin , jennifer langford , john g. hartley , jeane walker .