The Husband's Pride

Carl was sitting at ease with a cigar while his daughter was by his semi-conscious wife's bedside.

Farah was sobbing uncontrollably, "Get well soon, Mom."

Hearing his daughter's sobs, the Dad gave out a chortle.

Sarah was quick to ask him the reason for his behavior.

"She can't go anywhere. Her soul, even when it leaves the body, has no choice but to go back into the body."

"How so?"

"I have storm windows installed, and nothing can escape them."

The partially conscious Mom came back to her senses upon hearing the above and snickered over her husband's pride.


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In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story using storm windows. It can be literal on a house, but also consider other portals, even spaceships or submarines. Can you make it into something new or build a story around something historical? Go where the prompt leads!

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!

Challenge Accepted!

"I dare you!" he said with a snort and arms on his hips.

"I accept the challenge!" 

Now 'have to wait for the right moment!

Soon sleep encroached my athletic brother who had come home after playing a game of soccer in the scorching sun. 

I was quick to collect my mom's cosmetics and tiptoe in his room, and the process of painting started. 

I painted the foundation gently on his tanned face with a brush; created a mole on his left upper lip with a liquid eyeliner; the Cindy Crawford style! Then concluded with painting, his lips red. 

In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that involves paint. It can be fresh, peeling or in need of a coat. What is being painted and why? Go where the prompt leads!Join in the fun at CarrotRanch

Light Up

"The usual!" Sarah said with a heavy accent to which the bartender was quick to nod and started preparing the concoction."

She sat there with one of her hand supporting her face while the other was fidgeting with her long brown curls.

The bartender noticed her and could not resist, "Long day?"


She nodded with a yawn.

"Here, this could cheer you up!" he brought the big glass towards her.

Her eyes lit up after a sip, "Wow, who would have thought strawberries and mint could compliment my Screwdriver!"

"Yup! these ingredients can light up anybody's screwed up day!"

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In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that includes strawberries and mint. The combination evokes color contrast, scents, and taste. Where will the combination take you? 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."


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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!

A Choice

“Come on! you can do it, Nate!” Mom urged her teen as he sat all heartbroken with a droopy head.

“Beggars can’t be choosers. I shall take what’s offered,” he shouted back at her.


There was silence.


With moist eyes, but a stern voice she said, “That’s untrue! Cause even beggars get an opportunity 

to choose. But they choose to take the easy route!” The son looked at her with a frown as she

continued, “What do you choose to do about your low grades? Accept defeat or get your concepts

right and take the retest?”


“Choice is yours!”


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 In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story using the phrase “beggars can’t be choosers.” You can play with the words, alter them or interpret them without using the phrase. Give it any slant you want — show what it means or add to its  meaning. Go where the prompt leads!
Join in the fun at CarrotRanch

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 

Good Bye!

In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that includes a sign. It can be a posted sign, a universal sign, a wonder. Go where the prompt leads.





"Take these! Don't need them, now!" Maggie offered to return a pair of earrings to her friend, Pam. 

"Are you kidding me! Wear them. These suit you more than when on me!" Pam commanded and pushed her hand away.

Hesitant Maggie kept it back but was still very reluctant. 

Days turned into a week.

One fine morning Pam got the news of Maggie's demise.

Devastated Pam could not digest the news. 

She pondered, 'Maggie offered to return my jewelry. I should have inquired the reason rather than brushing it off quickly.' she sobbed silently, 'Could have said my Goodbye.' 

In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that includes a sign. It can be a posted sign, a universal sign, a wonder. Go where the prompt leads. Join in at CarrotRanch. 

Darn Memories!

"Thank heavens it broke!" Jules said with relief as she raised her hands in jubilation. 

She was quick to call for help to clean up the mess. 

As the helper was collecting the pieces that got scattered around the room; Jules watched with a keen eye. 

Her fragile grey neurons of 80 years old were quick to make synapses as that cup's history took her to her home surrounded with laughter, and then to an old age home all alone. 

Memories were threatening to overwhelm her, but she would be seen fighting them with an expletive now and then. 


 In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about shards. You can write about the pieces, the item they once were, or who picks them up and why. Go where the prompt leads. Join in the fun at CarrotRanch

Pam, the Comet

1990
High School reunion
 Pamela, the brunette at the age of 23, was huffing and puffing about her new husband to her friends.
"Then, what do you do?" inquired one.
"I raise my voice. I argue. I fight until he bows thee!" she said with a wink and a triumphant smile.

2015
Pamela meets her old friends who inquire about her life. She blushed at first then pushed the stray grey hair behind her ear, " I was like a comet, bright at the head, but years changed my perception allowing me to tail away from the headstrong attitude.

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

I-scream disaster

"I'll have the butterscotch, please!" Meghan requested politely.

"One scoop or two," he asked in a hurried tone

"Ummm!" 

"Be quick, young lady! I ain't the whole day." 



"I'm sorry, I can't decide," she said as she put her index finger in her mouth and swayed her 4-foot skeleton from left to right allowing the frills of her frock to bend along. 

"Next," he shouted leaving her cup as is and attended the next person in line. 

She was devastated, and tears came along.



"Nothing is lost! Do not cry," the mom ushered her on one side, "Let's share!" 

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In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about “not all is lost.” It can include recovery from disaster, an unexpected insight after a fall, Join CarrotRanch for fun! 

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. 

The Mom

"Sam hurry up! it's time to leave for school." 

"Yeah" came a response amidst the wide yawn.

"Did you put your lunch box, water bottle in your bag?" 

"Yeeees!" he muttered.

"Sam eat your breakfast! Why are you daydreaming? The school bus will be here any minute!" she stressed.

Sam rolled his eyes, and he could not contain himself, "MOM! Let it go!" he shrilled.

Mom paused. 

Took a deep sigh as she placed her hands on her hips, she responded, "I am aware dear. But someone has to delegate it, and that ugly task falls upon me!" 

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In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about a busy character.

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. 

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?