My Lemon Queen

"The house looks so clean. Where's my cyclone?" Dad inquired as soon as he entered his home.

"She's mostly been in her room since then. Let me get her." said five-year-old Trisha's Mom.

"Aha! There's my Lemon Queen," he said with glee and was quick to extend his hands towards her. His daughter came towards him with exuberance and landed on his lap.

She placed her tender fingers on his cheek as the dad started to tickle Trisha. Her giggles filled up the room, and the parents' face radiated like the sun from the happiness that she spread year-round. 

========

In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that features Lemon Queens. Maybe it’s an ancient fairy tale or a modern brand name. What ideas seep into your imagination? Is there a character or place involved? Go where the prompt leads!

A Graduate

He throws his graduation cap in the air while I have tears flowing down my eyes. 

He's no doubt very excited about the 'freedom' that he'll get. That involves no reminders or nagging from my end to do things. 

As a parent, I ought to step back and give him wings to make his first flight away from home. Only then, I guess, he'll realize the importance of all that care, love, attention, and the need to manage time well, that he used to knit brows upon. 

As the wise said, "Give them wings to appreciate what they had." 

 In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a first flight. It can be anything or anyone that flies. What is significant about the first? Go where the prompt leads!

The little Priya

"Hello Aunty, How have you been?" inquired a young girl with neat braids, and wearing an elegant dress.

 Her smile was infectious, and her eyes sparkled with the inquiry.

Mrs. Gupta was taken aback and had a frown, 'Who is this girl? Have I met her before?'

The girl was quick to introduce herself, "I am Priya. Your next-door neighbor." 

"Oh my! look at you. I remember you as a child who would throw tantrums and things at people passing by." Then with a broad smile, "Today, you've blossomed like a rose and are emitting such a beautiful fragrance."

In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that includes the word blossom. You can use the word as a noun or a verb, or even as a name. How does it fit into your story? Go where the prompt leads!

Graduation Party

"Come on, Meg, at this rate, you'll be a postgraduate, and we'll miss our graduation party." urged Felicia, who was prancing outside her room like a horse.

"Jeez! You are so impatient!" she shouted back at her twin sister and came out with a sulk.

Felicia froze like a statue upon seeing her. 

"You don't need to stare at me like that." Meg exclaimed as she placed the stray locks around her forehead behind her ear, "What can I do? The tutorial to dutch braid your hair was taking forever that I had to entwine them in random order." 

In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story using two words that contradict. Go where the prompt leads!

Mindful Eating

"No, eatables are allowed on the plane." Said a voice that was soft yet stern. 


He had no choice but to comply.


Going home was a definite priority over defying the rules of the TSA. 

He chose to empty all his pockets and walk towards his gate with sluggish steps while gnarling noise was accompanying him. His stomach muscles were squeezing tight as if wringing a cloth. 

Traveling in wee hours with no shop open, he chose to board the flight. 

Mark decided to eat mindfully from the tiny in-flight bag of pretzel that helped nourish his hunger pangs. 


==================

In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story to nourish. 

The Art of Skateboarding

While sipping my tea at the crack of dawn, an idea sparked in my mind as I stared at my son's longboard, "I should try this. After all, it's all about balance." 

 I lifted the board and walked towards my cemented yard. 

After centering and grounding myself, I placed one foot on the board, and it whooshed off before I could put the other foot on it. 

The result was a loud thud with an Ouch of a higher decibel that was quick to wake up my family. 

"Nah! this is all about practice, not just a jiffy exercise!" 

 In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that features long boards. They can be used in any way you imagine, including a name for sporting equipment. How are they used and who is using them? Go where the prompt leads!

Pizza night

"Yeah! Make your pizza night is here!" Friday morning, Nate wakes up with this hum.

He's so excited about the evening that he gobbled down the oatmeal amidst getting ready for school.

"Are all your books in order?"

"Yes!"

"Did you fill up your water bottle?"

"Yes!"

'Sigh! What an incentive this pizza night can be. My third grader is ready even before the school bus has arrived. I wish I had thought of it earlier.' 

Evening comes, Nate is dragging his stool to be around the kitchen countertop to layer his pizza crust with cheese, olives, and pineapple.


In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that includes pizza. It can be an original pizza pie (or slice) or something pizza-like. Go where the prompt leads!

Our Night

"Clarice! are you ready?" inquired Dad as he stepped into the house after a grueling day at work.

"Nah!" 

He was quick to walk towards her and find his preteen daughter lazing on the couch with a partially opened book on her chest.

"What happened? I thought you were keen to go to this concert?" 

"My friends refuse to come. I'm not the popular girl whose likes are supported by friends," she said in a sulky voice as tears dripped down her chubby cheeks. 

There was a brief pause. 

Then Dad proposed, "How about we make it OUR night." 


===============
Write a story about Clarice. She can be any Clarice real, historical, or imagined. What story does she have for you to tell? Go where she may lead!

The Bench

"I am tired."

After giving a glance at her face that glistened with sweat courtesy the bright sun, he said, "Let's take a five-minute break."


Mrs. D was quick to plop on the bench that overlooked the green grass where children were playing ball.

As the north-west wind blew, she flared her nostrils to absorb the energy that'll help her walk home.

While Mr. D gave out a deep sigh as memories flashed in front of him.

He placed his wrinkled hand over his wife and uttered, "Our life has transitioned, but this bench has been constant for us."


===================

In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a park bench. Join in the fun at CarrotRanch. 

Freedom

Sammy was standing in the cool breeze with her eyes shut. 

Her hair blew across the eyes that she tucked back now and then. 

The grass and the leaves were also celebrating this special day by rustling, "Celebrations!" into her ear. 

She had a dreamy smile as she took a deep inhalation and smelled the flowers that opened and released their floral scents. 

She got the goosebumps as she murmured, "Thanks to my unremembered ancestors who fought for our freedom that I can enjoy this warmth seeping into my skin or else I would be caved somewhere in fear." 

===============

In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about someone unremembered. Is it a momentary lapse or a loss in time? Play with the tone — make it funny, moving, or eerie. Go where the prompt leads you!

The Movie

"Mom, I need to go to the bathroom," whispered six-year-old Nate into his Mom's ears with a sense of urgency.

"Shhh!" she said with twisted brows as she continued to glare at the screen with an intense look while shoving popcorn in her mouth and chewing nervously.

"Mom!" he said again, and this time in a loud decibel. 

The folks sitting around also Shhhhed him 

"This is a very intense scene. Control your pee! I'll take you when there is an intermission," 

Poor Nate sat there with crossed legs and hands-on his crotch while the Mom enjoyed the movie. 

===================

In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about an interlude. It can be a pause between two key moments, the pause between acts in a play, an intermission, or a temporary amusement Go where the prompt leads you!

Got Style?

"April, you're not wearing this to school. Please, change."

The daughter stood still.

Mom was stern, "Right now, young lady!"

April yawned, made a sulking face and walked to her room leisurely.

She took forever!

Mom knocked on the door of her room, "Aren't you getting late?" she inquired in a desperate tone.

"Nah! not really. It's okay!"

The response confused Mom. She walks in and demands an explanation.

"Since I don't get to wear the dress to attract attention; I rather make a big splash by arriving late to my class!" the daughter said with a straight face.


================

 In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that makes a big splash. It can be fluid, or you can play with the idiom (to make a big splash is to do or say something that becomes unforgettable). Go where the prompt leads! 

A New Bride

"Dad, I can't take it anymore!" the new bride lamented over the telephone.

"Give it some time. Don't make a hasty decision."

"But, Dad his family's so different than how I've been brought up! They have weird tastes, and most of the time they live with us." she sobbed.

"Look at the positive side; you have a loving husband. Give it some time; otherwise, we're always there for you!"

She put down the phone as she wiped her tear, "For the sake of Sam, I shall become sisu for a few days and then decide what to do next."


==================
A brief note: In Indian marriages when a bride marries she has to 'learn' to adjust with the groom's family and their various tactics!  As the saying goes, "If you marry an Indian guy; you tend to marry his whole family!" 

In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about sisu. It’s a Finnish concept of enduring strength, the ability to consistently overcome. Think long-term. Go where the prompt leads!

Happy New Year!

As I ring in the New Year lots of memories flood before me: the good, the bad, the ugly while 'am so involved with that flashback that 'am unaware of the various expressions on my face.

When reminded 'am filled with apprehension yet gratitude to be able to enjoy the coming year of whatever it may bring, as I continue to leave my carbon imprint.

I may be an ordinary person, but my consciousness allows me to breathe with appreciation as I ponder back and realize that I have been able to touch atleast a handful of souls each year.



===============

In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about a character who looks back. 

The festival of tricks and lights

Raj lights lamps in all corners of his house with hymns playing in the background. 

He is celebrating Diwali the festival of light that symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance.

Just then the bell rings, he opens the door to a bunch of kids dressed in spooky costumes and shouting, "Trick or Treat."

He smiles, grabs his bucket full of treats and shouts "Treat...Treat!" As if surrendering to their threat in a sweet way!

Shuts the door, and continues with his prayers of the Hindu festival that comes around the same time as Halloween. 



=========

In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about a festival of lights.

Mom's Footsteps

"Look, Daddy, I am a big girl, now!" Sarah exclaimed with joy as she poured water from her pink watering can into the newly potted plant.

Dad's moist eyes gave away.

"Now, will mommy come back?" she queried with innocence in her eyes, "She would always urge me to grow up soon!" after a pause, "Look I'm doing just what mom used to do."

Dad was quick to wipe those tears from his sleeve and with a forced smile said, "Your mom will always be around you, dear! She would be so proud to see you follow her footsteps."