A Surprise Test

 

"What! How can that be?" I howled, "How can our teacher give us a surprise test?" I exclaimed as I sat on the bench with a thud staring at the paper while rubbing the back of my neck. 

I chewed my pen while fingering my necklace, trying to find the solution to those questions. 

Just then, the alarm buzzed. 

I woke up with a start with sweat on my forehead. 

When I realized my surroundings, I pressed my palm against my eyes and gave out shaky laughter.

"Oh! God, I promise I'm going to study before this comes true!" 

 In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that includes anxiety. Who has anxiety or what is the source? Is there conflict? How can you use anxiety to further a story? Go where the prompt leads!

Once Bitten, Twice a Bang!

 

In the Fall of 2010, my dad beat the first round of cancer, and things had started to look up. 

I wished many things then for him and us as a family. 

I had hoped he would visit me, start his business again after taking a hiatus, and success would be all his!!

 After all, even lady luck has a heart and strikes when we are at our lowest point in life. 

Alas! the Universe had some other plans. 

Cancer came back with a bang, and the cosmos took him away from us within a wink of an eye. 

In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about “the wish I made.” Whose wish is it and how does it fit into the story? What kind of wish? Go where the prompt leads!

Water Gun Play

 

I woke up to a loud squeak. 

"What's happening?" I inquired with urgency. 

I saw my children play with water guns in the house. 

"No! we don't play with squirt guns." I disapproved while staring at the wet couch and puddles of water everywhere. 

"But why, mom. It's summertime." they protested in unison.

I took a deep sigh as if I agreed with what they had just said, directed them outdoors.

They both looked confused since the sun was over their head. 

 With a grin, I said, "Carry on! Make a mess; wet all that you want; it'll dry."

 In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story using the phrase “carry on.” It can be an expression of perseverance or behaving in a particular way. It can even be luggage you take when traveling. Go where the prompt leads!

Steady Gallop

Being an empty nester has more pros than cons. The house is cleaner than before, with not much on the to-do list. The driving from one class to another is bygone. The constant chattering and the back n fourth arguments are on silent mode. 

Over the years, we've taught him the values of Life by discriminating right from wrong and emphasized discipline, respect, and hard work. 

Now, it's time to sit back and watch the show. 

Hopefully, it'll be a stable rhythmic ride where the kiddo will learn new things and move forward with steady gallop like a stallion. 

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In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a Big Black Horse. It can be a horse, a metaphor or an interpretation of KT Tunstall’s “Big Black Horse and a Cherry Tree.” Go where the prompt leads!

A Tiny Flaw

To the lightly roasted course semolina, add one cup of lukewarm milk. 

Allow it to cook on a slow flame. 

Once it's semi-solid, add half a cup of granulated sugar.

Give it a vigorous stir before turning off the gas.

Now, I'm going to serve the audience. 

I said with a wide smile as I approached them with serving bowls garnished with sliced almonds. 

With fingers crossed, I watched them take a spoonful of my sweet dish into their mouth. 

They ejected the morsel in unison. 

"Major flaw!" one declared.

"You've put salt instead of sugar." the other screeched. 

In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about the cooking show. It can be any cooking show, real or imagined. Who is there? What happens? Make it fun or follow a disaster. Go where the prompt leads!

Feathers on a Cap

 

"Congratulations!" cheered Soniya's friends as she walked towards them with stretched hands. 

"I did it!" she shouted with glassy eyes and clenched fists. 

Once all the congratulatory messages were through. Her mom slid a handful of feathers under the tassel of her graduation cap.

"What's this for?" Soniya inquired with wide eyes, "Shouldn't I get only one feather since I just graduated." 

"A feather indicates accomplishments, and this is one of them." 

"Huh?" 

"My girl, you are Compassionate, Courageous, Hardworking, Creative, and now you're a graduate proves you've accomplished your goal." 

"Aah! Thank you, Mom, for being my inspiration." 

In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that features feathers. It can be a single feather or more. Where did the feather come from? Does it hold meaning to the character or story? Go where the prompt leads!

When Distances become Small

Before the Pandemic, I used to see my clients in person for their healing sessions. 

When the Pandemic struck, energy medicine continued to shine; I can still add a personal touch to each session via Zoom, thanks to technology. 

Energy has no boundaries when there is knowledge and the right intention.  

Today Distance healing is the new norm as I continue to channel the universal energy while setting the intention for my client's welfare. 

Today, the office setting has changed, but the end product remains the same: people continue to smile as their ailments fizzle with no side effects. 

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I can be found at: http://explorereikiworld.com/

June 10, 2021, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a new way to office. Has the office changed?