Category: Flash Fiction

FF: The Party

Hello, hope you are having a grand weekend. It’s time for Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers and as usual i am running late. But better late than never. So here i am with another story in 100 words, inspired by Rochelle’s photo. If you want to read the other stories inspired by this prompt, click here.

Photo prompt © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

The Party

Words 100

“The party isn’t until 7 pm.” My husband looked at his watch, “how come you’re ready?”

 “Aunty requested me to come early and help her get dressed.”

My husband gave a snort. “You always rave about the way she wears her sari and make up. Why would she need you?”

I hesitated. “Perhaps she’s feeling her age.”

My husband grunted and thankfully let it go.

I had kept my promise. All Aunty wanted was moral support. She needed someone to hold her hand and soothe her jangling nerves.

Her husband of 60 years had raised his hand at her, again.

***

Thank you for reading, i will be along to read the other stories inspired by this photo in a bit.

For anyone interested, Chapter 17 of Some Sugar & Spice is up. Or if you prefer poems in the haikai genre, click here

FF: The Wedding

Hello! Happy to be on time this time, or at least not late for Rochelle’s weekly party – Friday Fictioneers, a story in 100 words based on a photo prompt kindly provided by Ted Strutz. To read the other stories inspired by this prompt and join the fun, click here.

Photo Prompt © Ted Strutz

The Wedding

Words 100

“Say cheese!” Rupam clicked the newly-wedded couple’s picture. “You both are looking great. You can frame this photo.” He turned to his kids. “Come and touch your mother’s feet and say goodbye.”

“Isn’t Mother going to live us anymore?” Sukhi, their five-year-old asked. “And who is that man next to her?”

Rupam hustled his children. “Let’s go. Your mother has a new husband and she’s going to live with him from now on.”

“But seriously Rupam,” his friend frowned, “how you can get your own wife married off to another beats me.”

“Much better than having them bump me off.”

***

Inspired by a true incident:

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/up-murder-man-gets-wife-married-bablu-vikas-radhika-katar-jot-scared-after-cement-murder-up-man-gets-wife-married-to-lover-then-a-plot-twist-8061918

Thanks for visiting.

For anyone interested, Chapter 15 of Some Sugar & Spice is up.

FF: Strawberry Moon

Hello and welcome to yet another edition of Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle. And once again i am late to the party but better late than ever. So off we go to my submission this week on a photo full of possibilities provided by Dale. To read the other stories inspired by this photo or join the challenge click here.

Photo Prompt © Dale Rogerson

Strawberry Moon

Words 100

Darkness fell on a dark day.

Free from work, she sought distraction in doom scrolling. But instead of feeling better, she felt worse. Everything seemed to taunt her, mock her failings, her inadequacies, of how she just wasn’t enough.

Restless, she wandered to the balcony.

She gasped at the intense blast of heat that hit her. Not a soul, not even a bird or dog stirred.

Yet, there was someone else who was sleepless.

Consistently showing up, apparently unaware of their imperfections. No…flaunting them with elan and grace.

Feeling her spirits lift, she raised a toast to the gleaming moon.

***

Thank you for visiting, do share your thoughts, comments and suggestions.

For anyone interested, Chapter 14 of Some Sugar & Spice is up.

FF: The Collapse of a Merger

Hi there! Today I am again attempting to play a 100 words for Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers on a photo kindly provided by Roger Bultot. If you want to join in or read the other stories inspired by this prompt, click here. Thank you Rochelle and Roger.

Photo Prompt © Roger Bultot

The Collapse of a Merger

Words 100

There were smiles and claps all around as they shook hands and embraced.

The envisaged final outcome promised to set an example to the world. The wide arched span, bolstered modern support systems and thoughtful inclusion of futuristic elements, instilled confidence and joy in all.

Money exchanged hands, deadlines were set and tasks assigned. In keeping with the design requirements, work began simultaneously from both ends.

Over time, differences arose, however, yielding to pressure from senior advisors, all activities were completed on time.

Barely into the first monsoon, the foundation collapsed and the entire structure toppled over

Another failed marriage.

***

Thank you for visiting. For anyone interested, Chapter 5 of Some Sugar & Spice is up.

FF: A Makeover

Hello and welcome to another edition of Friday Fictioneers with Rochelle leading the way, this time with a photo from Sandra Crook for a story in 100 words. If you want to join in, click here. Thank you Rochelle and Sandra.

PHOTO PROMPT © Sandra Crook

A Makeover

Words 100

In her heydays, there were long queues. They would come in one by one, voice their worries, and on occasion, go off into peals of laughter.

With time, the queues had dwindled until there were none.  Inside too, there was nothing but dusty corners. In a limbo, the days, months, weeks, rolled into one.

A thunderstorm.  With a crash, a glass shattered.

One spring morn, sprouting between the cracks — tiny purple blooms.  The egg that the pigeon had nurtured with such care, hatched.

The squab flapped its wings, flying over hills and vales, carrying the scent of her myriad tales.

***

Thank you for visiting. For anyone interested, Chapter 3 of Some Sugar & Spice is up.

FF: Ostrich in the Sand

Hello and welcome to another edition of Friday Fictioneers with Rochelle leading the way, this time with a photo from Nancy Richy for a story in 100 words. If you want to join in, click here. Thank you Rochelle and Nancy.

Photo Prompt © Nancy Richy

FF: Ostrich in the Sand

Words 100

Quick, this was his chance!

Ron began to tiptoe

He froze.

The familiar shuffle of footsteps.

No time to lose, he dived behind the sofa.

“Yes darling,” Her voice floated across. “the coast is clear. Let’s party!”

A titter.

“Yes darling. Just you and me. Oh Ron? He ran off to play football. Time he learned to take responsibility for his actions. Do you want to go out for dinner?” She lowered her voice. “Or should we order in and…?”

“Mom!” Ron sprang up, “You have a boyfriend?!”

Mom’s eyes gleamed with mischief as she stood there hands on hips.

***

Thank you for reading and leaving me a note. And in case anyone is interested, a new story: Some Sugar & Spice is now live! Hope to see you there as well.

Have a wonderful week.

FF: You Can’t Beat Them

Hello, everyone, hope you are having a good week. I am back with another attempt to participate in Rochelle’s party of Friday Fictioneers. The story is inspired by the photo by Jennifer Pendergast. Thank you Rochelle and Jennifer! If you wish to participate or read the other stories based on this prompt, click here

PHOTO PROMPT © Jennifer Pendergast

When you can’t Beat Them…

Words 100

“Enough playing games. What about work?” I grumble at my offspring glued to the screen, fingers dancing over the keyboard.

He nods agreeably without budging. And he is in my room.

Sighing, I scroll through the apps on the iPad.

I sink into ‘Zen Word’ until I am lured by the ‘Royal Match.’ I start by renovating his castle, the garden, decorating his bed, the dog’s bed, setting up his library…

Rebelling, I switch to ‘Nut Sort’ where one has to sort nuts by color.

Having done this for years, in no time, I top the charts. Next ‘Hidden Objects.’

***

Thank you for reading and especially for leaving me a comment. Hope you have a great weekend too.

PS: For readers of Silver Streaks or anyone else interested in the long format of stories please visit 3S: A 2025 Update

Cheers.

PPS: After posting, i went back to my game and it struck me that the story was about something else. Hence, a minor tweak in the title and last line. And some re-framing to keep within 100 words. Apologies for any inconvenience.

FF: A Knotty Tale

A big hello to all of you and welcome to my first flash fiction in over a year. I am thrilled to be able to participate in Rochelle’s weekly challenge of a story in 100 words – Friday Fictioneers – based on an atmospheric photo prompt kindly provided by Dale. Thank you Rochelle, thank you Dale. Looking forward to reading all the other stories on this prompt.

If you like, you may click here to read and add your own story. See you there!

Photo Prompt © Dale Rogerson

A Knotty Tale

Words 100

Ms Ghari sat in one corner, her knobbly fingers going knit purl, knit purl.

She was scowling and mumbling. “Halloween!!! Such a ruckus with no consideration for a poor old woman. You think I am mad? I will show you.”

She caressed the red wool cap she had knitted. This was no ordinary wool, it was soaked in poison and dried. Whoever wore it was in for an unpleasant end.

The doorbell rang.

Aha, a child!

Gleefully, she wrenched open the door and slipped the cap over the boy who held out a bunch of flowers, “Only for you Ms…”

– xxxx –

Thank you for reading and dont forget to share your thoughts. Have a great day.

FF: Stuff of Dreams

Hello and welcome to another edition of Friday Fictioneers with Rochelle leading the way, this time with a photo from David Stewart for a story in 100 words. If you want to join in, click here. Thank you Rochelle and David.

FF: The Stuff of Dreams

Words 100

A cheer broke out from the crowd as Parul arrived. She had just won the gold in the 5000m after yesterday’s silver in steeplechase.

“Quite a journey from running in sugarcane fields, training with boys, overcoming societal pressures to the top of the victory stand. Congratulations!”

Still out of breath, Parul smiled. “Thank you.”

“What a thrilling finish!  Throughout you were trailing and whoosh – in the last 20 m you overtook the lead. How did that happen?”

 “It’s been my dream to join the police. It popped into my head that a DSP post is  guaranteed for gold medallists.”   

***

Inspired by a true story of Parul Chaudhary, the first Indian woman to win gold at the 5000m race, Asian Games 2023.  Click to watch her thrilling win!

FF: Child’s Play

Hello and welcome to another edition of Rochelle’s weekly challenge of a story in 100 words – Friday Fictioneers – based on the marvelous photo prompt kindly provided by Dale. I had so many threads running for this one that I just kept vacillating between them. Anyway ultimately settled on the first one. Hope you like 🙂 If you like you may click here to read and add your own story. See you there!

PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson

FF: Child’s Play

Words 100

“Your pills darling.” Rekha hugged her new husband, “Thanks for fixing the lights and my favorite pink roses.”

“But,” Jim frowned, “I didn’t fix the lights or send roses. Don’t you prefer red?”

“Who could it be in this deserted place? Stalker? Ghost?”

“Don’t…”

The lights flickered and a disembodied voice spoke. “Shaina my love….”

“Wh…who…” Jim quavered gripping Rekha.

“Get away from my wife…”

“She’s my wife.”  

“She’s mine. Leave her or you’re dead…”

“Nooooo!” Jim screamed and collapsed at Rekha’s feet.

“Well that was easy.” Rohit emerged from the shadows.

“I told you he was terrified of ghosts.”

***

Thanks for visiting. Looking forward to hearing from you as well. Have a grand weekend.