Category: Prequel
Any time before the episode, A Rose for Lotta
A Prickly Problem (by Annie K Cowgirl)
Summary: Little Joe learns a lesson the hard way.
Rating: K+ Word Count: 1, 371
Of Mothers and Fathers (by Annie K Cowgirl)
Summary: Ben’s announcement of his upcoming marriage to a young, widowed woman brings about a serious talk between a ten-year-old Joe and his older brother, Adam.
Rating: K Word Count: 1,623
A Promise by Ring Nose (by BettyHT)
Summary: An attempt to give background for “The Paiute War” episode and answer some questions. Why had Young Wolf developed animosity toward Adam? Why did Ring Nose agree to come back with Ben knowing he would be jailed or hanged for what had happened? Why was Wilson so intent on getting revenge on the Paiute and Adam?
Rating = T WC = 17,962
The Sound and the Fury (by sandspur)
Summary: It’s brother against brother, Cartwright style! Revenge is not a dish best served cold–it’s best served to the sound of the cannon!
Rating: K (1,160 words)
Battle of the Ponderosa — aka Springtime Chaos (by BluewindFarm)
Summary: A plea for help turns into an urgent ride home, and a situation no one foresaw.
Rating: K (1,615 words)
Measure of a Man (by Inca / aka Tye)
Summary: When fifteen-year-old Joe tries to impress a new friend on the Ponderosa, it leads to dangerous repercussions for both Joe and Adam.
Rating: T (22, 275 words)
Tears of Growing Up #2 – First Ride (by BluewindFarm)
Summary: A companion story for Tears of Growing Up. Two years have passed since Ben and Joe stood outside the corrals watching Adam and their wranglers tame wild horses. Now, it’s finally Joe’s turn.
Rating: K+ (2,305 words)
Tears of Growing Up Series, links to stories within the series are included.
Of Love and Loss (by Annie K Cowgirl)
Summary: Ben and Hoss have a heart to heart about lost loves.
Rating: K (tissue warning) Word Count: 1,499
Restitution (by Belle)
Summary: Ezra Grady, is dead; but that doesn’t mean the Cartwrights’ troubles are over. Ezra Grady’s silent partner-in-crime has yet another scheme in mind. (Warning: Referenced mistreatment of a child.)
Rating: T (22,190 words)
In Absentia Series, links to stories within the series are included.
Sage Advice (by BluewindFarm)
Summary: Joe should have remembered his older brother’s advice, when he learns a lesson on how easy it is for women to be his downfall.
Rating: K (950 words)
Love Comes Late (by DJK)
Summary: A young Adam has to come to terms with a second stepmother.
Rating: teen and up Warning: contains corporal punishment as part of family discipline Word count: 45,173
The Fire Inside (by freyakendra)
Summary: A surprise assault on the Ponderosa tests twelve-year-old Little Joe’s mettle, and proves he truly is his father’s son.
Word count: 4,470. Rating: T
A Modern Cartwrights Story #3 – A Quarter’s Worth of Glory: Joe in the Infernal Machine (by Robin)
Summary: Headlines ripped from the daily newspaper in this modern era tale of the Cartwrights.
Rating: K+ (775 word)
A Modern Cartwright Story Series, links to stories within the series are included.
Reunion (by BettyHT)
Summary: A prequel that is an alternate reality in which Adam was taken by Indians in the attack that cost Inger her life and eventually is reunited with his family, but the reunion is rocky.
Rating = T WC = 54,773
It’s Only a Year – He Said What? – Lessons in Understanding #1 (by MissJudy)
Summary: This first story of a series called It’s Just a Year didn’t come through from the old library. This episode tells of how Adam received and education that allowed him to enter a prestigious Eastern university while living in the wilds of the west where there wasn’t a school or people with a formal college education. Adam has studied hard with a Harvard professor he found on the Ponderosa and is ready to leave for Boston when Ben asks him to remain home another year. Marie’s death has left him reeling and in need of his son’s help while he finds men to work the growing ranch.
Rating: K Word Count: 10,321
It’s Only a Year Series, links to stories within the series are included.
