Don't Worry About It + Are We Really Doing This? (2 Fer Tuesday)

Prompts = Thinking, Forgotten, Sure

Story 1 — Don’t Worry About It

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

‘Sweetie? Are you sleeping?’

‘Hmmph?’

‘Do you remember that thing I told you about the other day?’

‘No.’

‘Ah, good. I thought you might’ve forgotten about it but I wasn’t sure.’

‘Wait… what?’

‘There was this thing I told you about…’

‘What thing?’

‘…and I was just thinking about it now…’

‘Tell me what thing!’

‘…and then realizing I didn’t need to worry about it anymore. But I was worried you might be worried about it, so I wanted to assure you that you don’t need to worry about it. That’s all. Good night.’

‘Good…? But…? What thing?’

‘Zzzzzz’

‘Grrrrrrrr’

*****

Story 2 — Are We Really Doing This?

 Photo by Victor Rodriguez on Unsplash

‘I can’t believe we’re doing this.’

‘Me too.’

‘But… are you sure we should?’

‘No.’

‘Because, you know, the last time…’

‘Crazy.’

‘I haven’t forgotten all the trouble we got into.’

‘Hard to forget.’

‘So… are you ready?’

‘Are you?’

‘I… think so?

‘Yeah… me too. I think.’

‘But you should go first.’

‘Ohhh… I’m not quite ready. You go first.’

‘I… this is crazy!’

‘I know! What were you thinking, saying we should do this?’

‘You said we should!’

‘No, I didn’t!’

‘Well I didn’t!’

‘Then forget about it! I’m going home!’

‘Oh yeah? Then I’m going home too!’

Links to other sites where I publish:

Read them on Blogger = https://onehundredwordsbyparz.blogspot.com

Or Read them on Medium = https://medium.com/100-word-or-less-stories

Listen to them on YouTube = https://www.youtube.com/user/parzivalsattva

Write your own on Discord = https://discord.com/invite/qW2jgWwc7Q

Accuracy Is Important

 Photo by Adam Miller on Unsplash

Prompts = Cheer, Comment, Click

‘Cut!’

Everyone turned to see the director, Stanley Rubric, gripping his hair in frustration.

‘You! Blue shirt! What’s that watch you’re wearing?’

The man looked. ‘It’s… a digital watch.’

Stanley’s face contorted. ‘Did they exist in 1969?’

‘No, Mr. Rubric.’

‘No, they didn’t. Imagine the comments I’ll get when my video, this governmental-sanctioned remake of the faked moon landing, features a digital watch? Take it off!

‘Let’s reset and try again!’

The “Houston control room” actors sat down, ready for the click of the clapperboard and the call for “action” to cheer Neil Armstrong’s first words from the “moon”.

Links to other sites where I publish:

Read them on Blogger = https://onehundredwordsbyparz.blogspot.com

Or Read them on Medium = https://medium.com/100-word-or-less-stories

Listen to them on YouTube = https://www.youtube.com/user/parzivalsattva

Write your own on Discord = https://discord.com/invite/qW2jgWwc7Q

Calling It By How I Feel

Prompts = Parable, Scalpel, Invisible

There’s a parable about blind men being led to an elephant, feeling one part, then describing the whole thing. One feels the leg and says the elephant is like a tree, another feels the trunk and says the elephant is like a snake, and so on.

When it comes to biting insects called no-see-ums, I’m like a blind man able to describe them by what I feel:

They’re like snakes that can unhinge their jaws, and scalpels that can cut through huge amounts of skin, and ninjas because they’re invisible.

Scalpel-dentured ninja snakes — that’s what they are.

Links to other sites where I publish:

Read them on Blogger = https://onehundredwordsbyparz.blogspot.com

Or Read them on Medium = https://medium.com/100-word-or-less-stories

Listen to them on YouTube = https://www.youtube.com/user/parzivalsattva

Write your own on Discord = https://discord.com/invite/qW2jgWwc7Q

The Grin Reaper

 Photo by Yomex Owo on Unsplash

Prompts = Recognition, Audience, Moniker

Marissa Spignowsky’s big standup comedy break happened during a televised routine at the Comedy Shack. She was tremendously talented and able to make audiences howl with laughter, but that night, someone died. They died of laughter.

Nothing gives name recognition like killing it on stage.

She booked show after show. Health warnings were printed as part of her advertisements. Every appearance had an ambulance on standby just in case. Everyone survived at most events, leaving attendees vaguely disappointed. But there were enough deaths and resuscitations that she earned a moniker she now uses as a stage name: The Grin Reaper.

Links to other sites where I publish:

Read them on Blogger = https://onehundredwordsbyparz.blogspot.com

Or Read them on Medium = https://medium.com/100-word-or-less-stories

Listen to them on YouTube = https://www.youtube.com/user/parzivalsattva

Write your own on Discord = https://discord.com/invite/qW2jgWwc7Q

Needing A Pen

 Photo by Roma Kaiuk on Unsplash

Prompts = Hunch, Imagination, Clutch

Jason clutched the form he needed to fill out tightly while his eyes scanned the room: a sea of occupied chairs surrounding one small island of a table.

He needed a pen. A lone hunched figure seemed to be using the only one in the room. After stepping on only seven feet, he cautiously approached the sole holder of a writing instrument.

‘May I use the pen after you, please?’

No answer. He looked at the surrounding people grasping blank forms staring hopefully at the pen.

His imagination suggested the opening of a stationary shop and making a million dollars.

Links to other sites where I publish:

Read them on Blogger = https://onehundredwordsbyparz.blogspot.com

Or Read them on Medium = https://medium.com/100-word-or-less-stories

Listen to them on YouTube = https://www.youtube.com/user/parzivalsattva

Write your own on Discord = https://discord.com/invite/qW2jgWwc7Q

The Atypical Smell + City Under Siege (Throwback Thursday)

Prompts = Ferment, Slight, Nice

Story New = The Atypical Smell

Photo by Daniel Vogel on Unsplash

Antonio peered inside the vat, the smell of fermenting grape juice a rich, heady vapour filling his nostrils. It was nice, comforting, a known smell that spoke of good times, good friends, and good food.

Those were the typical smells of every wine he crafted.

What he really cared about was the atypical smell. Far harder to identify, more a feeling than a sensation, he sniffed and paused, sniffed and…

There. A slight hint of posh. This wine would be sold in exclusive high-end markets. As opposed to the vat he’d tested minutes before — that was going to Walmart.

Story Old = City Under Siege

 

Photo by Thomas Serer on Unsplash

Nice, France was a city under siege. The city’s fury was directed against a referee who didn’t penalize an opposing player for an injury-causing foul of their star player. People had taken to the streets, ready for violence. All it would take would be a single slight by a fan of the opposing team to ignite the city.

Perhaps it was inevitable that the trouble would be instigated by someone drunk on “fermented grape” as it’s known. The flames of anger spread quickly onto the streets, burning cars and breaking store windows, causing millions of euros in damage.

Links to other sites where I publish:

Read them on Blogger = https://onehundredwordsbyparz.blogspot.com

Or Read them on Medium = https://medium.com/100-word-or-less-stories

Listen to them on YouTube = https://www.youtube.com/user/parzivalsattva

Write your own on Discord = https://discord.com/invite/qW2jgWwc7Q

Hotter And Colder

 Photo by Alexandre Chambon on Unsplash

Prompts = Misplace, Earphones, Exaggerate

Alice stood frozen in the middle of her living room, livid with her robotic helper. Its peaceful voice said at regular intervals, ‘Not moving is not part of the game Hotter and Colder’.

‘I’m not playing a game.’

‘I’m sorry, I didn’t understand that emotion. Please exaggerate it.’

‘All I want to do is find my keys! I’m late!’

‘But you asked for help to misplace your keys last night.’

‘Where. Are. My. Keys?’

‘Do you need a hint?’

‘Yes!’

‘Step towards the window.’

‘You threw them out the window?’

‘Yes. Are you happy with my performance? Please submit feedback.’

Links to other sites where I publish:

Read them on Blogger = https://onehundredwordsbyparz.blogspot.com

Or Read them on Medium = https://medium.com/100-word-or-less-stories

Listen to them on YouTube = https://www.youtube.com/user/parzivalsattva

Write your own on Discord = https://discord.com/invite/qW2jgWwc7Q

Of Pegs And Holes + Ready For Adventure (2 Fer Tuesday)

Prompts = Courage, Gentle, Pendulum

Story 1 — Of Pegs And Holes

It takes courage and an overwhelming desire to achieve results in the face of the challenge. Squeaking through isn’t an option; absolute victory is the goal.

And how much more impressive it is when, instead of brute force, it’s achieved with a touch; less a substantial hammer and more gentle pressure, a caress even, applied in just the right way.

Aficionados don’t care which way the pendulum of analogy has swung; round peg and square hole or square peg and round hole — it’s all the same to them.

Something apparently too big is getting stuffed through something seemingly too small.

Story 2 — Ready For Adventure

 Photo by Matthew Wiebe on Unsplash

James set the book down then trundled from his bedroom to the living room where the imposing grandfather clock towered against the far wall. He watched the pendulum ponderously swing to and fro. His footsie pyjamas helped insulate him from the early morning cold.

The book, bought by his father from the Fantastical Fantasy for Young Readers catalogue, explained that if you summoned your courage, opened the cabinet door, and gently made your way around the inside of the case, the far side hid a secret door that led to magnificent adventures.

The thought was scary, but he was ready.

Links to other sites where I publish:

Read them on Blogger = https://onehundredwordsbyparz.blogspot.com

Or Read them on Medium = https://medium.com/100-word-or-less-stories

Listen to them on YouTube = https://www.youtube.com/user/parzivalsattva

Write your own on Discord = https://discord.com/invite/qW2jgWwc7Q

My First Meeting

 Photo by Tengyart on Unsplash

Prompts = Chuntering, Chanting, Changing

I recently joined an Egg First group.

At my first meeting I met the group leader, Shelby. “Eggs are the best and we aren’t yoking!”. He introduced me to regular members, some of whom were chanting “egg-citedly” (sorry — couldn’t resist), while others were determined to stay in their shells.

One man looked stricken, like his world was cracking, chuntering. Several members were with him, saying things were ok and that he’d regain his faith.

“But don’t you see?”, he yelled, “there’s no changing my mind! I think the chicken came first!”

And then he caw-cawed.

Talk about embarrassment!

Links to other sites where I publish:

Read them on Blogger = https://onehundredwordsbyparz.blogspot.com

Or Read them on Medium = https://medium.com/100-word-or-less-stories

Listen to them on YouTube = https://www.youtube.com/user/parzivalsattva

Write your own on Discord = https://discord.com/invite/qW2jgWwc7Q

Corporate Expansion

 Photo by hui sang on Unsplash

Prompts = Commercial, Expand, Enjoy

There are exciting things happening in the world of business, but I can’t say I feel good about Gerber’s expansion plans. There was this TV commercial…

‘Howdy folks, Ken Cramer for Gerber Foods International.

‘Family dining has been a focus of ours for a long time. Whether you’re one or ninety-one, you should be able to enjoy wholesome, tasty food that’s easy on your digestion and your wallet.

‘Nothing tough or chewy or chunky served here. Whether pureed or blended, served in a bowl or a cup, every serving is good and good for you.

‘Gerber, real family dining.’

Links to other sites where I publish:

Read them on Blogger = https://onehundredwordsbyparz.blogspot.com

Or Read them on Medium = https://medium.com/100-word-or-less-stories

Listen to them on YouTube = https://www.youtube.com/user/parzivalsattva

Write your own on Discord = https://discord.com/invite/qW2jgWwc7Q

Opposite Sides Of The Spectrum

 Photo by Whitney Wright on Unsplash

Prompts = Pumpernickel, Windex, Flashing

It was my turn to share with some friends a story about the oddest things we’d dealt with as kids:

‘My parents were on opposite sides of a weird illness spectrum.

‘One day I sliced my finger while cutting a stale loaf of pumpernickel with a dull breadknife. My dad grabbed Windex and went all My Big Fat Greek Wedding while my mom called 911.

‘I remember walking down the driveway with the paramedics, emergency lights flashing, my mom screaming about windex poisoning and my dad trying to reapply it.

‘I still have the scar.’

Silence followed.

That story rocks.

Links to other sites where I publish:

Read them on Blogger = https://onehundredwordsbyparz.blogspot.com

Or Read them on Medium = https://medium.com/100-word-or-less-stories

Listen to them on YouTube = https://www.youtube.com/user/parzivalsattva

Write your own on Discord = https://discord.com/invite/qW2jgWwc7Q