I recently stumbled upon the 100 Words or Fewer Writing Contest website. Since I tend to be a woman of many words, telling a complete story with a beginning, middle and end in less than a 100 words is a real challenge. Here are a few of my efforts so far.
Birth
Oleana dwelt in the Other World; a place of light and gentle spirits.
One day she fell into a deep sleep. When she awoke, she found herself in a diffent world; a shadowy place filled with wounded souls.
She cried out, but the spirits of the Other World could not hear her.
Oleana's memories of the Other World began to fade. When they were gone, the essence of what she had been was no more.
Just Too Damn Cold
She needed a friend real bad. It didn’t matter if the friend was a boy, a girl, a dog or even a turtle; she just didn't want it to be a snake. Something about the way snakes slithered along the ground totally creeped her out.
Her new friend would have kind eyes and listen without interrupting. Hardly anyone actually listened. They just pretended to listen until it was their turn to talk.
All she had now were the drugs. If she didn't find a friend soon, they might be the only way to get out of the damn cold.
Kindred Spirits
All my life I have distrusted cats. I harbor a similar distrust of people. In my view, both cats and people tend to be standoffish, arrogant and devoted exclusively to their own comfort.
Last week I went to an animal shelter and rescued a cat that was about to be put to sleep. It's a toothless fat old cat with bad breath no one wanted.
Since I am a toothless fat old woman with bad breath no one wants, my decision to rescue the cat was entirely appropriate.
Christmas
“I don’t understand why the kids haven’t called.”
“It’s only nine thirty.”
“But they know we go to bed early.”
“If it’s bothering you, let’s give them a call.”
“Kids are supposed to call their parents on Christmas. We’re not dead; we’re in Florida.”
“I'm gonig to call them right now."
"Wish them Merry Christmas for me and say I wasn't feeling well and went to bed early."
“I thought you wanted to talk to them.”
“No, I said they were supposed to call."