A Few Sample Stories From "Fifty-Five 55-Word Stories"

There Was Only One Way Out

The marriage had gone to hell; struggling to get out of debt for
years. The life insurance policy was her only way out.
Maxed-out her credit cards.
$5000 to the hit man.
Lawyer read the will. Everything to her.
“Sorry there’s so little.”
“What about the $1,000,000 policy?”
“Cashed it in, didn’t he tell you?”

Just My Luck!

Forty, shy, ordinary, dateless six years, given up.
“Come here often?”
Movie-star beautiful.
Stammering, “Ah, yes, I like libraries.”
“So do I.”
Her foot touched his leg.
“Do you believe in love at first sight?”
She rushed him to the motel next door.
Afterwards, “When can I see you again?”
“Anytime you want; $500 please.”

The Long Wait

Threadbare tuxedo; long mane of gray hair.
Boxes and magazines stacked, except the immaculate
dining room; table set for eight; a barely recognizable
wedding cake centered.
Stranger quietly asked, “What are you doing?”
“Waiting.”
“For?”
“My bride.”
“How long?”
“Thirty-eight years.”
“Sad news, sir. She’s dead.”
Eyes misting, “I guess my wait will be longer.”

They Had Climbed Steadily for Hours

Two friends had climbed together for years.
This mountain challenged them the most.
For years they’d trained.
Struggled the last 100 yards, sweat pouring, no energy left.
Barely able to pull themselves onto the summit.
At the top, in awe of the view.
Struggled out of their packs.
“You did bring the water, didn’t you?”

NOTE: In some of the stories the line spacing is more open. I have tried
everything to fix it and nothing has worked. I apologize.

 

I'm Now An International Star... Well, Not Exactly!

I was surprised, humbled, and thrilled when I received an email from Mubashir Zaidi, a well-known Pakistani journalist and writer, asking permission to use some of my stories. The cover is his book, Namak Paaray, which is in Urdu and contains a collection of short stories from writers around the globe. The book is named after namak para, a salty crunchy snack popular in Pakistan and India. The short stories could be likened to an intellectual or reading snack.  

Click here to go Mr. Mubashir's Website which is in Urdu, but has some stories in English.

Book Two, Fifty-Six (Plus 6) is Finished. Click on the Book Cover on the Right Side to go to Amazon,,,,,...

Book two is going to be better organized with the stories grouped in categories and, will have a table of contents with all the stories listed. There are also several commentaries. Overall the book will be a lot neater in appearance. It is basically finished except for the editing. Well, it's been basically finished except for the editing for a couple of months. May 16, 2013

Here are a few sample stories from book two.

Two Years He’d Been Obsessed With Her

Had been at the desk across from him.
Couldn’t stop thinking about her, dreamed of her.
“Have a surprise; I’ll be at your place at 7PM.”
Tonight’s the night, why else would she call?
Towel wrapped around him, he opened the door.
She stood holding a cake, surrounded by his co-workers all singing Happy Birthday.

What Goes Around Comes Around

“Believe that?”
“Yes. Universal Law.”
“How do you know?”
“Look around. You see it happen every day. If you’re nice to someone you will be rewarded.”
“Sure?”
“Yes.”
“A year ago I stopped to help a stranded motorist.”
“What happened? “
“He stabbed me and took my car.”
“Oh. You must have bad karma.”

My Kid’s a Computer Whiz!

“What do you mean?”
“At 16 he can work an I-Phone.”
“And?”
“Can really get that X-Box going.”
“OK?”
“Scores high in Kill Them Until They’re Dead combat game.”
“Wow.”
“He can send those sex-text messages.”
“Can he sit down with pencil, paper, and add two numbers?”
“He’s a computer whiz, not a math genius!”

What Really Happened in Garden of Eden?

“Hey, Adam. Taste this.”
“Apple from the snake?”
“Yep.”
“He said not to.”
“It’s good. It’s real good, Baby. Trust me.”
“Yes, it is.”
Voice boomed from above, “Leave the garden and forever be cursed.”
“Wow, nice boobs. What should we do?”
“Heck with him, let’s take off these stupid fig leaves and fool around.”

****************************************

My Third Book is Finished.......

 Life, Relationships, Religion, and the Human Condition In
Six Words       

Here are some samples. 

There are approximately 288 of these....

Religion

Elvis, the little-known 13^th disciple.

His perfect image? Why an appendix?

Where in the hell is this heaven?

Relationships

Great date? Yes, I was alone.

Lust or love? That’s the problem.

First date. Best time to quit!

Guys’re crazy over you know what!

See you again? Sure, $500 please.

Surfboard of romance, headed toward rocks.

The Human Condition      

Magic 8 ball can be wrong.

There’s no antidote for magical thinking.

Elixir of life. Drink cautiously, sparingly.

Is cracked plaster an artistic enhancement?

Looking at life through fogged windows.

For some, implausible, a step up.

Uninformed rarely question or seek evidence.

Superstition, Myths, Pseudoscience, and Such

Truth, can’t be altered or changed.

Chiropractors and churches. No more needed.

Mother Nature is not actually fickled.

Believe anything. Remember, Santa loves you.

Respect your rights, not your beliefs.

NOTE: Yes, I know some of the above stories are "bigger" than the others. I've tried everything to fix it, to no avail. Sorry!