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. 


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

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!

Tap

Tap...tap...tap. Three down, two to go. 

The crack of the rifle, a satisfying tap as the 0.308 caliber Winchester bullet pierced the target and embedded itself in the wooden frame, and the shuffling of combat boots filled the concrete chamber. Last one. 

There was no room for mistakes. He would have nine seconds tomorrow. Tap. He gasped for air and craned his neck for a glance at the stopwatch. Eight seconds and twelve milliseconds. Trembling, he let out a shaky sigh of relief. 

Five casings. 

Five headshots. 

Four guards and one Vice President. 

He was ready. 

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The above prompt has been attempted by my teen son.

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 In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that includes tapping. You can play with the sound, make it an action, or create something unexpected. Tap a story and 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.