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!

The Tenacious Mailman

Jimmy squinted his eyes and took laborious steps towards the last drop out. 

Sweat dripping from his grey sideburns and his tongue hanging due to thirst under his sun hat. 

He dropped off the post in the mailbox of the mansion-like house and admired the manicured lawn while wiping sweat off his forehead. 

Walked back to his postal van and sat gingerly on the seat. After gulping a copious amount of water, he let out a deep sigh with a smile as if he did a touchdown!


"Ten more days until I retire, and all this will be history." 



In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a postal carrier in an extreme situation. Even if you base your story on a true one, focus on the core trait of this postal carrier. Go where the prompt leads!

The Win

"Wake up!" Sarla jolted her husband awake.

"What happened?" he woke up with a jerk as if he got an electrical shock.

"What is that hissing noise? It that a snake?" her eyes were wide as an owl in the night.

After listening attentively, he lay down and pulled a blanket over himself.

"Go to sleep. That's just your son doing various exercises. He has been strengthening his muscles  and his core for the big event that's around the corner."

"But why?"

"So that he can carry our overweight daughter-in-law to the finish line and win like every year."



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In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a carried wife. Why is she being carried? Who is carrying? Pick a genre if you’d like and craft a memorable character. Go where the prompt leads! Join the fun at CarrotRanch.

The Auditory Range

"Kate!" Mom shouted her name in a high decibel while tapping the glass window to get her attention.

Kate clad in a thick jacket, and gloves were playing fetch with her labrador. 

Giggles and woof was a mere expression thanks to her ear muffs that canceled the noise out.

Mom gave in to the situation and pulled open the window with all her stamina.

That sudden force caused the fresh snow to fall with a thud from the rooftop.

"Mom!" Kate cried out, but it fell on a deaf ear to Mom since her daughter was buried in snow!

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 99 words, no more, no less, write a story about “buried in the snow.”Join in the fun at CarrotRanch 

The Fetch Game

"Attagirl!" he shouted as he threw a stick.

She narrowed her eyes and walked gracefully while eyeing it at times. Just then she saw berries hanging from a tree. She chose the latter, allowing the stick to land on the ground. 

Jack bawled.

She was unperturbed as she continued to pick the fruit with her long neck. 

He had no choice, but to wait until she was content. 

Threw the stick again, and this time she caught it in her beak effortlessly. 


Jack was quick to clap in jubilance, and she moved her feet and body to the tune.

In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story defining “the charisma of cranes.” 

Happy Birthday !

"Happy Birthday Angie" shouted Tiffany as she shut her car door and walked towards her friend who was seated on the patio.

The birthday gal squealed with delight upon seeing the bouquet and after a quick embrace dashed in to put them in the water.

Angie was chattering nonstop.

When the birthday girl came out with two cups of hot beverage, she found Tiffany's head on her hands, "What's wrong?" she inquired.

"Oh, Angie! start behaving your age!" Tiffany was quick to comment.

 "Age is just a number!" she responded as she exhibited her bright white dentures.


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In 99 words (no more, no less) write a wise story. It can be about wisdom, expressing wisdom or advice for turning 50! It can be a wise-cracking story, too. Go where wisdom leads you.
Join in the fun at CarrotRanch!

Duped !

"I will trade it for your five marbles." said young Boyd with disheveled brown hair and two missing incisors while one hand scratched his bum and the other grasped the ball.

After a brief pause. 

He heard giggles, chuckles, and chortles; but Boyd was determined he stood there tapping his foot.

"Time is running out! If no marbles. I walk!" he said with a stern voice.

Silence and that was followed by marbles rolling in Boyd's direction. 
A crooked expression and the nimble boy picked the marbles. Teased them with the ball and was swift like a hyena. 

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

The Shore of a Lake

"Wow!" she exclaimed.

He made an "ugh" face as he continued to read his book on the shores of the Lake Tahoe.

"What!" she said irritatingly, "Did you even bother to give a second glance?"

He pulled down his shades partially and gave a brief look, "The water is muddy so why to give me the trouble!" he admitted.

"Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. Now if the beholder is a grumpy old man, beauty does not care to show her true self" she said while continuing to click the picture of the pebbles amidst the mud.

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In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story using a lens. Join in the fun at CarrotRanch

Bathroom Singer

"Mom!" he shouts from his bathroom.


She inquires with an anxious emphasis.

"No running water" he declares in an annoying tone.

She rushes to the water storage and opens its tap.

From a distance, she can hear the water spurt from the faucet. At first, the flow is irregular giving out a spate of explosions as if announcing its arrival, and after such repeated events, there was fury and momentum in its flow.

That was followed by a soft hum that gave way to a pitch that was loud enough to make the neighbor's bang her front door.

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In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that includes the sense of sound. 

Can I Help You?

"How are you feeling?" Jane inquired with an earnest tone. 

No response.

There was an awkward pause, but Jane was persistent. She knew her cousin could go in her shell whenever adversity would strike, thus kept on inquiring and this time, she tried to put her hand over her shoulder while whispering some words of comfort.

Sharon's reaction was instantaneous. She got up from her chair while pushing her hand away, "I don't need any help from you. Go away!" her sharp pitch pierced through Jane's heart as Sharon walked away without any remorse or compassion. 

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write about offering to help someone. What’s their situation? What’s yours? Do they think they need help? How is it received? Could you be misinterpreted? Join in the fun at CarrotRanch

Hunger!

"Keep the change!" he commanded as he twitched his eyebrows in disgust.

"No Sir. These belong to you." Harry extended his brown hands toward him that contained a few coins. 

"Sheesh! then just drop them here." Mr. Silva continued his journey as he spat those words.

Harry stared at the metallic money in bewilderment. The twinkle in them was dull as compared to the glimmer in his eyes. 

With no customers in sight, he gathered his boot shining accessory and galloped to the nearby bakery. He was thrilled that today he will satisfy his hunger and sleep in serenity. 

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

A Mom

As the clouds continued to pour over the dry and parched land, Soniya persisted upon aerating the soil and sprinkling seeds into them. A phone call disrupted her activity, but she was quick to take it. 

"Glad you enjoyed the goodies!" she exclaimed in a joyful tone, "Sure, another package of muffins will be delivered tomorrow." She said while arranging the toys in the bin.

Just then the alarm went off; she was quick to wash off the dirt from her cuticles and start driving.

She is a Chauffeur, Cleaner, Cook, Landscaper and a Caretaker with a steady smile!


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 In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story of a character who is diverse. Who is this person? Join in the fun at CarrotRanch

The Resolute

Zack narrowed his eyes as he focussed on somebody at a distance. Dressed in soot from the recent blast, he had no regrets and his twinkling eyes said it all inspite of a bandaged arm and scrapes on his forehead. 
"I did it" he shouted in enthusiasm as he approached that body, and hugged her tight while tears trickled down uncontrollably from her's.
"I knew, you could do it!" she whispered and allowed the propitious public to haul him away, after all, he built a bridge for all to access. The proud mom admired his what-it-takes.

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In 99 words (no more, no less) write an industrious story.
Join in the fun at CarrotRanch

A Bowl of Sugar

"A Bowl of sugar, again?" Pete shot as he opened the door to his neighbor.

"aha! yes, you know me so well" grinned Sara while looking beyond him and into his living room that opened the door to.

While he took the bowl to fill with the required ingredient she sauntered in while keeping a keen eye on everything around, "Wow! These pillow cases are so authentic. Love them. New, huh?"

"Nopes!" he dismissed with a sulk as he continued to pour the sugar.

"Seriously?" Sara replied in astonishment, "they weren't around last time when I came in?"

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In 99 words (no more, no less) write about a looky-loo.  Join in the FUN at CarrotRanch

Bullet Dancing

Angie was miffed at the bank clerk, 'Sign this, Sign that. Crazy laws and regulations. What does she think of herself!' she could not stop cursing while stepping out of the bank. 

'Now I will make her dance to my tunes once she steps out'  she said while revolving her finger around the trigger guard back and forth in her right hand. With her cowboy hat crooked as it blocked the rays of the sun, she stood on the corner and waited for the clock to strike 5 pm to avenge her thirst of being laughed at over her clumsiness. 


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 In 99 words (no more, no less) write dance into your story. Twirl your characters round and round or stomp your plot onto the page. Use dance in any way that comes to mind. Be specific or free, tango or disco.
Join in the fun at CarrotRanch.

Café Noir

Tamara gulped many times but to no luck. The saliva refused to ingest. The excitement was making her sweat as she circled around the cafe.
"Tammy" 
She froze, blinked a couple of times to register, and picked her Latte. 
Stared at it
Walked holding it with both hands.
'I missed you' she whispered as she took a small slow sip and savored it with closed eyes while giving out a tremble.
'Duty took me away from you. The war was full of turmoil and vitality that caffeine was not needed. Glad to be back!' she muttered to the cup.
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In 99 words (no more, no less) write about a place of comfort that is a refuge. Have fun with it, like a pillow fight between best friends at a slumber party or newlyweds in search of the perfect mattress. Or you can go dark and write about unusual comforts, like a bad habit or a padded cell. Play with the idea of comfort and refuge.

Join in the fun at CarrotRanch

NaNoWriMo

Tara was whisking through the aisle of her home while vigorously rubbing the temples of her head, 'Sheesh! I need to get Victor moving!' she mumbled.

'Creativity...where thy gone?' she shouted in frustration while plopping on the chair and staring at her computer screen.

'Nanowrimo you are putting me on the edge!' she moaned in agitation.

Finally! She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. 

Gradually she could feel herself relax and in a few minutes vigorous tapping of the keyboard could be heard from a distance. Her mind thy tool could get the antidote for Victor. 


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In 99 words (no more, no less) include a tool in a story. How can it enhance the character, tension or meaning? It can also be a story about a tool or a character’s obsession for tools.  Join in the fun at CarrotRanch

Birth and Death

"There! you see that patch near that big oak tree." I pointed to a place at a distance surrounded by mountains.

"Yes, I see it." came a confirmed response, "But what's so special about it?" he inquired in a puzzled tone.

"Place me there once I am done with the worldly pleasures of life" I added solemnly.

Quickly a hand was placed on my shoulder followed by a warm hug, "Oh! I am sorry. Did not know you were dying."

Taken aback I asked in a quizzed tone, ""Aren't we all since the day we are born?"

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In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about a final resting place. You can take any perspective that appeals to you from the historic to the horrific. Just don’t scare me too greatly. You can also choose to write about those buried before they came to their final rest. An extra challenge is to discover a story or character from a local cemetery. I double-dog dare you to join me with your own cemetery day!Join in the fun at CarrotRanch

aha! Water...

Paula walked in a dainty fashion while skewing her eyes towards her parked car taking gulps that were becoming hard to swallow.

The blaring sun had scorched her body, and she had underestimated the weather by not carrying enough water with her. The walk that started off with enthusiasm was now a juggle between the mind and body that kept throwing weird messages across. 

Not a single soul in sight.

Suddenly she heard loud thuds. She pulled away.  Sprinters raced past her. Just then she felt a tap on her shoulder and a bottle of water was in sight. 

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In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that reveals or explores a moment of serendipity. How did it come about? What did it lead to? You can express a character’s view of the moment or on serendipity in general. Use the element of surprise or show how it is unexpected or accidentally good.

The Return...

Ira was staring beyond the window into those clouds that were white yet had so much to exhibit. Her eyes became moist followed by a parched throat while viewing.

"Excuse me!" came a gentle tap

Precipitously turned to her co-passenger who requested her to shut the window.

"Not Yet," she responded sternly, "I want the rays of the sun to enliven and motivate me to return home with good spirits."

Unperturbed Ira continued to gawk the clouds with the hope to find a message of, "Things have changed for the better, and All will be well at home!" 

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In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about a return to home. What does it mean to return? Is it to reconnect, discover or let go? It can be a town, house, farm, castle or ruins. It can be a country or family, one of origin or one adopted. What does the return impart?

Join in the fun at CarrotRanch!