My Lemon Queen

"The house looks so clean. Where's my cyclone?" Dad inquired as soon as he entered his home.

"She's mostly been in her room since then. Let me get her." said five-year-old Trisha's Mom.

"Aha! There's my Lemon Queen," he said with glee and was quick to extend his hands towards her. His daughter came towards him with exuberance and landed on his lap.

She placed her tender fingers on his cheek as the dad started to tickle Trisha. Her giggles filled up the room, and the parents' face radiated like the sun from the happiness that she spread year-round. 

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In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that features Lemon Queens. Maybe it’s an ancient fairy tale or a modern brand name. What ideas seep into your imagination? Is there a character or place involved? Go where the prompt leads!

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 Ride

I boarded the ride with my mom, who agreed to take me to a local theme park on my birthday. 

We all wore masks.

Gradually the roller coaster started climbing, and I could feel the twitch in my stomach as everything below seemed small. I was chuckling for the excitement to begin.

Just then, my mom reminded me, "Now remember, to avoid the spread of germs. You have to scream inside your heart."

I nodded.

 It was a noiseless ride.

When I got down, I wasn't content. Was it the lack of not being able to scream out loud?

In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that expresses the phrase, “scream inside your heart.” Who is involved and why is the scream contained? 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. 

The Art of Skateboarding

While sipping my tea at the crack of dawn, an idea sparked in my mind as I stared at my son's longboard, "I should try this. After all, it's all about balance." 

 I lifted the board and walked towards my cemented yard. 

After centering and grounding myself, I placed one foot on the board, and it whooshed off before I could put the other foot on it. 

The result was a loud thud with an Ouch of a higher decibel that was quick to wake up my family. 

"Nah! this is all about practice, not just a jiffy exercise!" 

 In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that features long boards. They can be used in any way you imagine, including a name for sporting equipment. How are they used and who is using them? Go where the prompt leads!