Safety Net

 "Hi, Girls!" said Amy with a wide grin and gleaming eyes as if twilight,  "I drove to school today," she said while bouncing from foot to foot. 

"Huh! But, the last time you drove, you crashed the bumper of your dad's Ford Escort into the wall. How did your dad allow it?"  asked Gloria with a gulp and curious eyes. 

"Balloons! are my safety net." 

Seeing the puzzled look in their eyes, Amy walked them to her car, which had balloons on the front and back of her bumper. 

"They'll pop, and I'll know when to screech the brakes." 

 In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about balloons on a bumper. Is it a spectacle, an occasion, an eccentricity? Why are the balloons there? Who is involved? Go where the prompt leads!

Freedom from the Body

Mohan was lying with tears trickling down his cheeks. 

His body was screeching in pain; the malignant growth had penetrated his bones, thus making it unbearable. 

He wanted to go places and reach new avenues, but destiny had other plans. 

"It's just a matter of time," the docs said.

The family was stroking his legs with the hope of giving him some relief. 

After coming to terms with the present, he tipped the hospital attendants and spoke words of wisdom to his children. 

He finally breathed his last with a smile as he got freedom from the diseased body. 

 In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about what freedom feels like. Whose point of view do you use? Does the idea of freedom cause tension or bring hope? Let the reader feel the freedom. Go where the prompt leads!

Mask Up !

 
"Jeez! Why is everybody staring at me?" muttered Alisha as she chewed her gum frantically when she dragged a cart into the store, "Hope, I wore my pants?" and she quickly gave a downward glance at her legs, "Phew! I can't forget the day when I stepped out to water my plants in just my panties."

A tap on her shoulder, "Excuse me, Miss. You need to mask up!" 

Alisha was apologetic, and with a gaped mouth, she quickly pulled it from her purse, "Gosh! This is the new norm, and it's high time I embrace the new change." 

 In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story to reflect the theme, “ready for a change.” Who is ready and why? How does the change unfold? What happened to initiate the change? Go where the prompt leads!

The Young Gardener

"Aargh, my hands are dirty." cried a five-year-old Pedro as he raises them in the air and flaps them irritatingly. 

"That's alright," came the mom to his rescue as she dusted them off and kissed those fingertips, "Look at the plant you just put in the soil."

Little Pedro saw the marigold and went his way. 

A week went by; the tiny plant had two new buds. 

Pedro was noticing it all this while. 

Then one fine day, mom saw him bend over and kiss the flower. 

"The flower is so happy," he said as he clapped his hands. 

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In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about earthing. Put a character’s hands, feet or body and soul into the earth. Who needs recharging? What happens between the interaction? Go where the prompt leads!

Mother of Assumptions

We, individuals, love to dress up our minds with assumptions. 

An assumption is a state of mind where an individual can draw a very colorful or an ugly picture.

Isn't it amazing how an individual builds his castle over his assumption?

A classic example is how an individual presents himself, his dressing mannerisms, or his public behavior. They are all human-made assumptions. 

This boils down to being aware of what we think, which eventually becomes our assumptions.

If the assumption is the mother of all disasters, bring in the father who has a clear vision and channel the thoughts. 

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In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about dressing up. 

Virtual Turkey Trot

"Are you ready for tomorrow? What time should I wake you up?" inquired A.

"Do we have to?" asked P with a long sigh.

"Of course! We ought to keep the tradition alive. So what if we can't run the Turkey Trot with people. Let's do it by ourselves." 

"And just like all the times, I'll keep the pie, mashed potatoes, buttermilk biscuits, and lasagna ready." I chipped in with a broad smile to encourage my son. 

"Yum! So everything's the same as old times." He beamed with joy over it, "How does 7 am sound for our 10K?" 

  In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that includes family traditions. It can be related to any holiday or situation. 

One camping night...

"And then what happens?" inquired my three-year-old with wide eyes and a mouth wide open. 

 I quickly put a spoonful of rice in his mouth while thinking of what would happen next if a bear would come.

Just then, we heard a loud thud. An eerie silence followed that as even the crickets had gone silent. Only the bonfire was crackling and popping. 

I held my son in my firm grip while the other hand had the Pepper spray; I let my instincts work as soon as something came near me. "Aaaaah!"

The yell sounded familiar, "'Twas, my husband." 

 

  In 99 words (no more, no less), write a spooky tale told around a campfire.

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!

Crazy mom

The alarm wakes me up by 6 am. After freshening up, I pick up my bell and perform a ritual that has given me a nickname,  'Crazy mom.'

But nothing can derail my enthusiasm about it, since being an advocate of energy medicine, I love to stir up energy into the stagnant particles of my home with this gentle jingle. This shift activates all the molecules that will eventually also liven up the spirits of all the humans living in it. 

I call it killing two birds with one stone since the above activity also wakes up my teen. 



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 In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about something crazy. Laugh like crazy, show the setting of stir-crazy or go off the rails on a crazy train. Have fun with the word and the situation, but go where the prompt leads!

Join in the fun at CarrotRanch

Cooking Aide

"I just can't cook." Sarah lamented.

"Why so?" inquired Leone, who was as earnest in her query as a nurse, would be to her patient.

"Chopping is the key ingredient to sauté anything, and alas! I can't chop onions. They bring tears to my eyes." With that, she gave out a deep sigh that was as cold as if she just landed in the Frigid zone.

Leone was quick to hand a shield to her friend, "Wear this armor before you chop, it will protect you from the sooty vapors that the onions emit, and prevent tears from coming."

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In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that declares, shield your face. It can be a knight of old, a doctor, or a senior citizen. What is the circumstance? Who makes the declaration? 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!

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!

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." 


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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 Library Cat

Liz's eyes went wide as a hawk.

The seat was empty!

After a couple of blinks, she was quick to walk to the librarian, Sasha, who was a wreck.

"What happened? Why did Rainbow escape from her chair?"

"I think Rainbow is bored; she refuses to sit and listen to the children's stories. Now, they are devastated."

After a brief pause, "You go find her, while I'll get the right antidote." said the confident Liz.

She was quick to pick up a handful of Tom and Jerry comics and hand them to the tearful children to read them aloud.

In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a library cat named Rainbow who escapes. 

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 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."


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

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.

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." 

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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. 

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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.


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 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!