On short stories you can read online or in e-book form many short stories from many authors like this one where an elephant grows out of someones pinky! I actually spend some hours here just reading these little stories, e.g. i liked a civilizing influence or phase in space : "All our men were killed several years ago in a bizarre accident involving a herd of Tortoise. Don't ask. We have spent the last few years searching the jungle for more men to help with the whole 'having children' thing." :)