Category: Flash Fiction

Practical Lessons in Desensitization

Words 191

“Congratulations on making it to medical college. Let’s begin with a quick tour of the departments.

Heads held high, the new batch of fresh young budding doctors took the first steps of their journey to ease human suffering and save lives.

Eyes watering from the noxious fumes, they trooped out of the dissection hall muttering to each other.

“That was a real body?

“I thought it was a wooden model!”

“When he cut open the skin and flicked the flecks of fat, I nearly threw up.”

“When the professor made me hold and feel the nerve, I almost fainted.”

“Yuck!”

“I didn’t know Medical College was going to be so gross.”

“Duh. You can’t avoid human anatomy in medical college.”

“Nothing could be worse.”

“Yeah? Read this.”

Catch a frog from the tank.

Use the hammer to give a blow to its head.

Use a scalpel to sever the brain from the spinal cord.

Insert a pithing needle into the brain to destroy it.

Frog may squirm in your hand but don’t let go. It doesn’t feel a thing.

Now you may begin to learn physiological functions without cerebral control.

***

Note: The frog experiments have since been discontinued.

Written for the Sunday Photo Fiction – a story in 200 words or less. For the other stories on this prompt click here.

 Thank you for dropping by – have a great day 🙂

 

Soul mates?

Word 102

 “So?”

“I passed!” Julie’s eyes shone as she served John coffee.

“I knew it!” John squeezed her hand. “How are you celebrating?”

“I have a…a date.”

“Oh.” John stood up.

“Don’t go! Please?” Julie muttered.

John fidgeted whilst Julie waited tables.

She returned. “I am nervous about my blind date.”

“Why go on a blind date?”

“I don’t know any nice guys.”

“So, I’m not a nice guy?”

Julie blushed. “I didn’t say that.”

“Come out with me.” He asserted.

Julie’s eyes sparkled.

John smiled.

He was one step closer his goal – a qualified wife who was used to serving.

***

I have a confession, I was traveling and when I came back I dropped in on Rochelle’s page and her story which led me to wmqcolby’s story, the stimulating comment section and one thing led to another – what I am trying to say is that this story of John and Julie is inspired by Stood up? and Blind Date? And the ensuing discussion of course 😉 Sorry just couldn’t resist 😀

Written for Friday Fictioneers – a story in 100 words or less. Thanks to Lucy Fridkin for the photo prompt and Rochelle for hosting the challenge. You can read the other stories here

Thanks for reading and don’t forget to let me know what you thought!

Summer Vacations

Words 102

 “It’s so hot! When will the power be restored?

“Not tonight.”

“Oh no!”

“Let’s sleep outside.”

Squeals, shrieks and curses punctuated the candle-lit darkness as we lugged bedding and the little ones got underfoot.

Excitement peaked once we lay down.

Obstacle race!

They hopped, tripped and scrambled over us, regardless of anatomy.

“Vacations are fun!”

Mosquitoes hummed their agreement.

Ganging up, we regained dominion.

Tiny snores lulled us to sleep – until the birds began trilling and cooing.

We scampered inside lest the little devils angels woke.

Bleary-eyed and heads splitting, we staggered through the day.

“Ma, can we order another power breakdown?”

***

Written for Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneer – a story in 100 words or less. Thanks to Rochelle for hosting and Jan Wayne Fields for the photo prompt. To read (or write) other stories on this prompt, click here

I am traveling (with major Internet issues – I now know exactly how much data is required to upload an FF 😉 )and hence may be irregular in responding/visiting. But thanks in advance for reading and commenting 🙂

Converted

 Words 196

“When are you going to work?”

“I am working Ma. On my art.”

“But that’s not bringing any returns, not even recognition.”

“Just look at the Sun Ma. Why does it shine? Why does…?”

“The Sun doesn’t have to eat!”

“Relax Ma. Reema earns enough for our needs.”

“There’s more to life than just needs. Aren’t you ashamed of being dependent? Where’s your self-respect?”

“You should be happy Ma. Didn’t you always exhort me to rise above my ego and materialism?”

“It’s not funny! I am sick and tired of defending you and your art. I was so proud of you but just look at you now.”

“You sound as if I am afflicted with some life-threatening disease.”

“What else is this self-destructive behavior? It has been 5 years since you left your job. What have you gained? Money? Status? Recognition? Nothing.”

“That doesn’t matter Ma. I have finally grasped the essence of your lectures.”

“What?”

“Remember how always quoted the Gita? You have the right to your duty but not its fruits. I understand now. I have the right to paint. The rest – money, fame, status – is not in my hands.”

 ***

Written for the Sunday Photo Fiction  – a story in 100 words or less. For other stories on this photo prompt click here.

Just in case anybody is interested, here’s the whole quote (along with the translation):

*Gita: karmanye vadhikaras te/ma phalesu kadachana/ma karma-phala-hetur bhur/ma te sango ’stv akarmani

Translation:

1) karmanye vadhikaras te: you have a right to work only
2) ma phalesu kadachana: but have no right to the fruits thereof
3) ma karma-phala-hetur bhur: let not the fruits be the motive of doing karma
4) ma te sango ’stv akarmani: let yourself not be attached to inaction.

Thanks for reading – as always I look forward to your views and opinions.

In Another Life

Words 90

“What is next on the list Nani?”

“My cache of threads and needles to Sudha. Dance costumes and ankle bells to Archana.”

“What about me?”

“You can take my books.”

“Ana and Su will be so mad! What about your gold Nani?”

“All gone darling, all gone to meet the expenses of this house.”

“What about the stuff behind the purple door?”

“I plan to take them with me and start afresh.”

“What is in there?”

“Shattered dreams, suppressed ambitions, unfulfilled aspirations, a broken spirit and a roomful of hope.”

***

Written for Friday Fictioneers – a story in 100 words or less. Thanks to Rochelle for hosting it and CE Ayr for the photo prompt.

For readers of Moonshine, here's Chapter 103 and Calvin and Hobbes

 

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The Road Not Taken

Words 99

“A cellist? What the hell is that?”

“A musician.”

“Will you be able to support us?”

“Perhaps…”

“Perhaps! And what will we do in the meanwhile? Bills won’t wait you know.”

“Music is my life Father. But I will work part-time…”

“I spent every penny on your education hoping that you would fulfill our dreams of a stable secure future; I would finally hold my head up in society. But you want to throw away your life, our sacrifice on a whim? Over my dead body.”

On his way out, Riteish emptied his stuffed wallet into the cellist’s case.

***

Written for Friday Fictioneer’s – a story in 100 words or less. Thanks to Rochelle for hosting and Bjorn Rudberg for the photo prompt. To read or write stories add your link here.

Thank you for reading!