Sunrise brings Hope

“Wake up!” mom nudged her hard enough to make her sit upon her bed.

After a big yawn, and a stretch Prema walked with empty buckets in her hand towards a destination where the water truck would station. 

While she waited in a queue for the truck to arrive, ‘Despite no water in our pipes, Life is beautiful.’ she muttered as she saw how the sun broke the spell of darkness with one drop of shine at a time.

She brought the two buckets of water to her cottage with the intention that the water crisis will end soon.


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In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that features a bucket of water. What is the condition of the water and what is the bucket for? Drop deep into the weel and draw from where the prompt leads!

Timeouts!

“I don’t want to go to school tomorrow!” Nate announced loud and clear when he entered his home and sat down with a sulk.

“What happened, honey?” Mom was quick to take the eight-year-old in her lap.

The Mom continued to tickle and caress.

After a couple of minutes, he blurted, “My teacher gives me a lot of timeouts!”  

There was silence.

“I’m sure you cannot identify what is right and what is wrong,” said Mom as she gently stroked his arm, “These timeouts are like a chisel. They will help you recognize and analyze your behavior, going forward.” 

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In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that includes a chisel. Use chisel as a noun or a verb. Think about what might be chiseled, who is chiseling. Be the chisel. Go where the prompt leads!

Join in the fun at CarrotRanch

A Mouse in the House

"Oh God! We have a mouse in the house!" I shrieked as I announced to my family. My son sitting on the couch was quick to pull his legs and cross them over. "Where! Where!" he inquired in an equally high-pitched scream. 

"It's in the bedroom!"

I was now waiting restlessly for my husband to take some action. Instead, he continued to work on his laptop unperturbed of what I just announced! 

I repeated it this time in a higher decibel.

He looked up with a sense of calm, "Relax! It's the door. It needs oiling at the hinges!" 


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In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about a mouse. It can be real, imagined, electronic or whiskered. Go where the prompt leads!

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 Magic Pill

"Dr. Ali, I come to you with hope since I've heard that you have cured, many!" Sheela said in an earnest tone as she held her rumbling stomach.

"Yes! I treat all," he said with confidence as he handed her a box of pills with a blank label.

"Fill out your symptoms!"

She followed his instructions with a puzzled look.

"Take 1 pill twice a day. Visit me after a month."

A month later, " I am cured!" she shouted with glee, "You have magic pills."

 "Nah! it's just the placebo effect, and I'm not even a medical doctor."


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 write a story that includes magic. Join in the fun at CarrotRanch. 

Your Pet Rules!

 In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about carrot cake. It can be classic or unusual. Why is there cake? How does it feature in the story. Go where the prompt leads.



"It's Leo's b'day, and he would like to invite your Boston terrier, Ginni."

Similar texts were sent for Pomeranian Coco, the Beagle Yogi.


"Let's get a cake." The mom declared with joy as she went shopping with her Labrador.

Soon Leo's woofs were beyond control since his mates joined for his celebration.

The canines wore party caps and had a slice of carrot cake in front of them. They waited patiently for the command, 'eat.'

However, as soon as the birthday song ended.
Leo gobbled the slices from all the plates leaving his friends puzzled.

A Sorter

In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about a unicorn. It can be realistic or fantastical. Go where the prompt leads. Join in the fun at carrot-ranch.https://carrotranch.com/2018/02/22/february-22-flash-fiction-challenge/


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"Tara have you seen my bangles?" queried an impatient mom while looking high and low for her accessories.

"Right here!" the daughter shouted from her room to which the mom dashed in her direction.

Tara was quick to take it off the horn.

Mom had a hearty laugh seeing that the horn was nonetheless of a unicorn and was used to stack rubberbands, bangles, scrunchies, hairbands.

Tara stroked the stuffed animal lovingly, "He is not only my buddy with healing powers but also helps keep things sorted." she grinned and exhibited lacerations on her lips, tongue, and left cheek. 

Pizza and French Fry

 In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story on ice. It can be an event on ice, a game on ice or a drink on ice. Go where the prompt leads you. Join in the fun at CarrotRanch.

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French Fry!
Pizza!


French Fry!
Pizza!


"Yeah! I am getting the hang of it!" Sasha shouted with glee while raising her two hands to get the attention of her instructor who was quite a stretch away.

"Continue!" shouted the elated instructor from a distance, "but make sure your poles are on the ground when you make a wedge or move forward.

"Teaching always makes me crave for fast food!" murmured the instructor just as her beginner students were focussing on building their ski technique repertoire to become a more advanced skier courtesy the food that is favorite for all. 

Land reclaimed!

"Hurry!!" hollered Mother Earth to Wind



The Wind huffed and puffed, and silenced the fire.

Mother Earth rolled her eyes,"I wish mankind could get a little responsible since this is their only home!"

It left a sooty smell, and the soil was charred. The air was grim that even she had to gasp for air.

"It's ruined!" he said in a dejected tone.

"Not when I am around!" Mother Earth winked, and she was quick to wave a hand over it. Vibrant colored fireweed started colonizing the disturbed site with the hope that it will reestablish vegetation.


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 In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that includes fireweed. 

A good investment

"Splash!"

"Toby quit splashing into the puddles" Mom urged as she walked with his tiny hand enclosed in her big palm on a rainy day while holding an umbrella with the other side that covered mostly her toddler inspite of him wearing a rain jacket.


Toby paused for a bit then looked up at her and after a mischievous wink continued to spatter water until they reached their car.

The mom was quick to put her son in his car seat. She removed his boots to check his socks.

"Dry socks!" she sighed in relief then muttered, "Good investment!" 

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write a story that includes boots. Whose boots are they, where do they go and what is their significance? Go where the prompt leads. Link up with CarrotRanch for 99cents fiction!

A Chair on the Porch

In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story a chair on a porch. Why is it there, and what might it mean? Think about using it as a prop or the main thrust of your story.


Join in the fun at CarrotRanch

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"Maggi!" 

No response.

"Can't find the girl anywhere in the house. Aha! Must be on the porch on her old ragged chair." Mom muttered as she stepped towards the patio.

"Cathedra, Alison did not invite me to her b'day party and instead poked fun at my dress." 

Maggi whimpered as she caressed the arm of the chair.

"She is not my friend anymore!" 

Wiping her tears, "But you will always be my pal since you are here to listen to my pain and joys." 

Mom overheard and changed her opinion. She was now in awe of the chair! 

The Hermit

The sun was disappearing over the horizon. 

The noise was deafening as the waves clashed against each other but that did not deter my steps.

Was it the coolness that encouraged me to move on or was it the mind that had escaped to a location that made me a recluse.

It was just me and my memories with them as a toddler, a teen and an adult. 

"Wish Life was fair," I whispered as my tongue tasted the salt on my dry lips. "'miss our time together," let a loose tear, "while 'pray you two rest in peace!" 

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August 17, 2017 prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write about an escape artist. It can even be you, the writer, escaping into a different realm or space in imagination. It can be any genre, including BOTS (based on a true story) or fantasy. You can focus on the escape, the twist or the person who is the escape artist.

A Tune...

Jangle!

Thump!

Whack!

Victoria came running from her room towards the noise.

She was startled as she gave silent stares.

After a few gulps, she inquired, "Are you okay?" as she extended her hand towards the victim who was laying under a pile of musical instruments.

"Yes, I am." Pete uttered as he grasped her hand to get out of the mess. Continued to justify, "I was trying to tune them for the big night when I lost control and had this unexpected landing."

"That was a productive fall. You composed a tune there!" she tried to sound convincing.




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In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about an unexpected landing.

Like Mother-Like Daughter

"Twist your waist along the loop," she commanded from her balcony on the fourth floor.

"You silly girl!" she screamed when her daughter's hula hoop came sliding down, "You ought to move your waist all the way!"

"Mom!" she cried out, "Chill!"

Sara's friends tee-heed while the embarrassed mom stepped away.

There was a pause, and the daughter clarified with perched eyebrows as she adjusted her plaid skirt and put her loose strands of hair behind her ear, "My mom is the best, and she wants me to be the best too! What can I say!"

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In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that involves playing an outdoor game.  Join in the fun at CarrotRanch. 

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

Adios Mom!

A stretcher heads towards the door. 

My eyes are on the body that lies on it.

As it passes by me, I see a familiar face and memories flash before me.

A warm lap, a protective sheath, a gentle smile, a look of disapproval when being naughty, and a whisper of my name in her most fond of voice. 

Today she lay there on the stretcher with a content smile and a body that breathed for 66 years.

I gently stroke her forehead.

Adios Mom! 

I shall keep you alive as I walk the path with your principles in life. 

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In 99 words (no more, no less) write a hello or a goodbye. 

Respect !!

"Get this out, Now!" Mrs. Bose commanded in an acerbic tone with her index finger pointing that individual and swinging it intensely.

"Sure! Please give me a minute, Ma'am." she requested meekly with her eyes bowed

"Now!" 

The maid was quick to pick up her sick offspring. Patted on his back, and walked towards the exit while wiping her tears from her eyes.

"I quit!" she shouted.

"Sure thing! Take your dues for today's work." her boss called out.

"I don't want to eat from somebody's cash who does not have respect for another individual." 



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In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that expresses a strong concern, something to give a crap about. Something that brings out the feeling to stand up. How can you use it to show tension or reveal attitudes?

Every Breath...

Jack signed some papers, and waited patiently in a corner whilst expelling air with sound; that would make eyes turn in his direction.

Sighing with relief when the nurse called out his name; he was aware of the awful rattling noise along with each breath.

The machine was set, and he was asked to hold still as the MRI was taken.

A loud groan from the technician made him alert.

He inquired in a petrified tone, and was shocked to hear the diagnosis, "You have two marbles in the upper front of the body that clash upon each breath."


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In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about a rattling sound. Join in the fun with CarrotRanch

No Service!

The bell chimes when the door opens. 
This was a usual affair of this restaurant that served an economical menu to anybody and everybody who would walk in. 



But today when the door creaked open, all eyes fell on this individual. The noise of cutlery dimmed. The jaws of many customers dropped as they stared at this person who walked in with confidence. As he stood at the counter waiting to be seated. 
The waitress gave him a dirty look. 
He looked poised and unperturbed. 
"Excuse me, Sir," she said with an acerbic tone, "No Service if No clothes!" 


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 In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about something or someone not allowed. Maybe it’s about gender, race or other intolerance. Maybe it’s the cat who paws at the door, but not allowed inside. Maybe it’s a trail where dogs are not allowed. Go light, go dark, go where the prompt leads you.