Tag Archives: Twitter Tales

Twittering Tales #121 – 29 January 2019

About the challenge: Each Tuesday I will provide a photo prompt. Your mission, if you choose to accept the challenge, is to tell a story in 280 characters or less. When you write your tale, be sure to let me know in the comments with a link to your tale. If you would prefer to post your tale in the comments (some people have very specific blog themes but still want to participate), I am happy to post a link to your site when I post your tale in the Round Up.

A final note: if you need help tracking the number of characters in your story, there is a nifty online tool that will count for you at charactercountonline.com.

I will do a roundup each Tuesday, along with providing a new prompt. And if for some reason I missed your entry in the Roundup, as I have occasionally done, please let me know. I want to be sure to include your tale.

Finally, have fun!

And REMEMBER…you have 280 characters (spaces and punctuation included), to tell your tale…and a week to do it. I can’t wait to see what you create this week.


Twittering Tale #120 – The Roundup

Photo by Juan Pablo at Pexels.com

Starting us off:
It was Lilah’s spot; the window overlooking 3rd and Main. 
“You can set your clock by her,” said one barista. “Yep…8:15 am.” 
She’d order a coffee, black, and watch the city come to life. And wait to catch a glimpse of him. 
One day she’d get the courage to say hello. One day.
~kat
276 Characters

By The Dark Netizen:
Lonely
I look out of the window and watch the busy world.
I see how they enjoy. Their interactions look fun. Their conversations, fights, romances, even their simple hellos.
I wish I could have all of that. I miss it tremendously. It tends to get lonely.
Here, in this mirror dimension…
Character Count: 279

By Deepa at Sync With Deep:
Window
somewhere between
fighting for
the window seat
and willingly swapping 
the window seat
for a aisle seat
we all grew up… 

By Fandango at This, That, and the Other:
Lost in Thought
She was sitting inside, staring off into space, lost in thought.
I stood outside looking in at her. She seemed not to notice me.
I used my phone to take a picture of her.
I knocked on the glass, held up my phone, and showed her the screen.
She smiled and waved at me to come inside.
(280 characters)

By Reena at ReInventions:
Muse
The face pressed against the glass is an inspiration. I admire it each time I pass through the street. I am moved by the haunting smile and eyes.
The artist has done a great job. I would like to do something similar, if the muse is as good as her 😊
(247 characters)

By Kristian at Tales from the Mind of Kristian:
A Face in the Window
She was just a face in the window.
She was always there when he passed at 8:15 on his way to work.
He often thought she was looking at him, but whenever he came close, she looked away.
The sight of her face always cheered him up.
One day he’d get the courage to go in and say hello.
[280 Characters]

By Di at Pensitivity101:
It had all started here, in this place, at this table.
His arrival with the tray broke her reverie.
‘You remembering too?’ he asked.
She smiled and looked at the ring on her finger.
‘Tea for two, but last time the ring was in a box with the scones.’
245 characters

By Teresa at The Haunted Wordsmith:
Someday
They were there again, by the community garden entrance. She was laughing and he was smiling. I couldn’t help but smile too as next week that would be me with him. Once she was gone, he would see I was truly the only one for him. I pay my bill and giggle as I begin phase two.
276-character 

By Radhika at Radhika’s Reflection:
A Girl by the Window
Her debut novel ‘ A girl by the window’ catapulted Kaira from an unknown girl to a celebrity novelist. Now signing autographed copies of her book, her mind drifted back to the days when she sat by the coffee shop window observing people, where the idea of the novel was conceived.
Letter count: 280

By Joe at The Diary of a Country Bumpkin:
She was looking out of the window, what she was thinking, she looked wistful and I passed by without further thought. It was only later that I saw her photo on Facebook, when her friends had reported her suicide. I never knew her but I shall never forget, the girl in the window.

By Melanie at Sparks From a Combustible Mind:
Sarah stared out the window.  They had met on the subway.  She’d noticed his green eyes.  He caught her looking at him, and smiled.  They agreed to meet at this coffee shop, but it looked like he wouldn’t show.  No problem.  The fantasy was probably better than the real thing.   
(character count 277)

By Willow at WillowDot21:
Queen of the Road
Soon, she told herself, I will escape. She’d got her HGV licence two weeks ago. She was longing to tell her awful boss to stick his job, to sick his slimy hands and leud suggestions.
As soon as she got the result of her interview. She’d walk out of here and be Queen of the Road.
(278 Characters)

By Michael at Morpethroad:
She travelled expectant he would show.
Giddy with anticipation
She looked for the pink cravat, his telltale sign.
She remembered their correspondence, his wit and funny idiosyncrasies.
Around her people came and went.
Along the bar was a pink cravat.
Devastated she knew what it meant.
(279 characters)

By John at The Magic Shop:
Omelette
How much longer would she have to wait for her damn western omelette? A few cracked eggs, simple job. She looks out at the bagel place, wishing she had chosen them this morning. Thirty minute felt like an eternity, when that insatiable breakfast hunger controlled your destiny.
279 characters

By Anurag at Jagahdilmein:
New Beginnings
She saw him come down the street and her face lit up. He’d never let her down, she just knew it.
He came in and they kissed eagerly.
“Are you ready?” he whispered.
She just nodded.“Then come, let’s rob ourselves a bank,” Clyde said as he took Bonnie’s hand and led her out.
272 characters.

By Ron at Read4Fun:
Returned Soles
Ivy and Jairhead loved the National Games. Yesterday the King shut down the games to save money for his Palace Towers. The entire team protested, throwing their shoes in a pile. Jairhead rescued Ivy’s shoes from the mess. He remembered her size. Her ugly family would be pissed.
279 characters

By Sadje at Keep It Alive:
She has big dreams
Dreams of success
Dreams of a deep love
Dreams of meeting
The perfect guy one day
Meanwhile she is sitting
Here and waiting
Her eyes are searching
Her mind is calculating
The time it’s going to take
To get her second cup of latte
Character count #250

By Ponnz at The Swan Song:
Song of Love
Dancing coffee steams
Gentle light of dozing sun
Escorted his way along
With her eyes and heart
A love unrequited, at once
A tommorow she longed for
To feel again, song of love
in the tunes of her heart
Character count: 195

By Hayley at The Story Files:
People Watching
When inspiration didn’t come for her novels, Darcy would go to Corner Cafe and people watch whilst she sipped a latte. Sometimes little dramas would play out which Darcy could use and other times just daydreaming about the lives around her helped.

By JP at The Wide-Eyed Wanderer:
Dreams of Spring
I wonder what tomorrow holds
sunshine fair or winds so cold?
Will the sky be blue and sun be bright
or will dark clouds rain til comes the night?
I wonder what the day will bring
will squirrels play and robins sing?
As Winter ends so Spring will follow
I wonder, will she come tomorrow?
Character count 279

By Ramya at And Miles to Go Before I Sleep:
Writer’s Block
It’s been long since Maya published her novel.
Every day she would look through the glass of her favourite coffee shop for inspiration for her next. But all she gets is cars zooming past.
She wondered whether this is writer’s block or just she has nothing to say…
Character Count : 263

By Peter at Peter’s Pondering:
I have nothing to say.
My heart is empty, my mind a blank!
I can’t even post a photo of my meal because I haven’t eaten since you left.
In truth, I haven’t done anything since you left!
All I do is sit here and remember the good times.
There were lots of them.
Now there are none!
(274 characters)

By John at Broadsides:
When I remember, long ago, how we wandered, hand in hand, down these
familiar streets and lanes, and paused and kissed and told each other how much we were in love, and now, you cheating bastard, I wait to kill you.

By Margo at That Little Voice:
1956 Chevy
“It’s beautiful, but…”
“But what?”
“I can’t have it.”
“Why?”
“Where would I park a 1956 Chevy that smells like sex?”
“Under the same bridge your grandparents parked it when they did their part in creating you.”
“Oh, God.”
“Yeah, that’s what they said too.”

Awesome Round Up! Thank you to everyone who participated this week. As always, there is a wide range of interpretations. And it was also brought to my attention by our friend Kristian that we have a few tales that could very well be parts of the same story. See if you can figure out which ones. I love when that happens. 🙂


Twittering Tales #121 – 29 January 2019

Photo by Oleg Magni at Pexels.com

She knew the recipe by heart. Butter, flour and sugar, a few drops of vanilla. These days bakers use fancy appliances to mix the dough, but not Irene. She’d press the flour and butter between her fingertips Into a buttery dough. “Makes the cookies sweeter,” she’d say with a wink.

~kat

278 Characters


Twittering Tales #120 – 22 January 2019

About the challenge: Each Tuesday I will provide a photo prompt. Your mission, if you choose to accept the challenge, is to tell a story in 280 characters or less. When you write your tale, be sure to let me know in the comments with a link to your tale. If you would prefer to post your tale in the comments (some people have very specific blog themes but still want to participate), I am happy to post a link to your site when I post your tale in the Round Up.

A final note: if you need help tracking the number of characters in your story, there is a nifty online tool that will count for you at charactercountonline.com.

I will do a roundup each Tuesday, along with providing a new prompt. And if for some reason I missed your entry in the Roundup, as I have occasionally done, please let me know. I want to be sure to include your tale.

Finally, have fun!

And REMEMBER…you have 280 characters (spaces and punctuation included), to tell your tale…and a week to do it. I can’t wait to see what you create this week.


Twittering Tale #119 – The Roundup

Photo by Pexels @ Pixabay.com

Starting us off:
Rain or shine Granny cooked her kettles of soup. The hungry came. She fed them all. 
It was against the law to feed the poor where Granny lived. It wasn’t long before the city shut her down. 
“Don’t you worry,” she shouted as they led her away. “I’ll be back. People gots to eat.”

~kat
278 Characters

By Deepa at Sync with Deep:
the fire soon died
but the one inside
never did… 
the winter
brought back everything
except the warmth of him…

By Neel at Neel Writes Blog:
HUNGRY BODIES, HUNGRIER SOULS 
As the log burnt, embers  crackled and  lit the night sky.
Amba cupped her warm fingers against her cheeks.
Then drank the brew she’d made.
Centurion Granny was  the sobriquet the street urchins had honoured her with.
She didn’t mind.
It was  a promotion from ‘street kid’.

By The Dark Netizen:
Campfire
They sat at the campfire.
The flames were warm and mood was jolly. They sang merry tunes and shared scary stories. They were enjoying nature’s grace.
They paid no heed to the eerie fog settling around them, nor notice the creatures coming from the forest.
Taking all of them away…

(Find the sequel here – Flash Fiction: Boots )
Character Count: 280

By Martin at Martin Cororan:
Embers
Three square meals a day, lowered into the pit, the pots checked for tampering afterwards. Even the flimsiest of handles could be fashioned into a shiv.
Despite hellish conditions, with no light or fellowship, the pots always returned empty, and the will to survive and hate endured.

By Fandango at This, That, and the Other:
Grubs Up
The cowpokes called their range cook “Cookie.” He may not have been a gourmet chef, but when it came to preparing meals out on the range, Cookie was the man. Beef stews were his specialty and he always had plenty of kettles of hot grub going for the ranch hands at day’s end.
(275 characters)

By Reena at ReInventions:
Existence
“Why do you insist on immigration? This is the place we were born in, and belong to.”
“The pot has got to be where the fire is, if anyone is hungry. It is the law of survival.”

(175 characters)

By Kristian at Tales from the Mind of Kristian:
The End of Hostilities
The camp was deserted, only their enemies’ food still bubbled over the fire.
After they had filled their bags with booty, they couldn’t resist filling their bellies with the delicious bounty left for them.
It was all part of the 
plan.
They were defeated and no blood was spilled.

[279 Characters]

By Teresa at The Haunted Wordsmith:
What He Shared
An avid outdoorsman since he was a child, Bill impressed everyone with his survival skills. He tried to make a business out of it, but no one stayed long after discovering his obsession with the Donner Party.
208 characters

By Jo at A Creative PTSD Gal:
Seer’s Sup
She sat quietly beside her cauldrons as they cooked the evening’s meal. No one visits a seer like herself unless it’s crucial. In the flames that danced under her supper, she saw pain, laughter, and heartbreak. She looked up at the new desperate stranger. ‘Sit. Sup then answers.’
280 Characters

By Jan at Strange Goings on in the Shed:
Utopia
People were generous towards them in the old days, despite their own hardship.
Their faces didn’t fit now, viewed as flotsam, despised. A statistic, huddled round campfires.
They were heretics of society, dissenters against oppression. Dreamers consigned to the fringes of dusk.
(278 characters)

By Anurag at Jagahdilmein:
Hunger Pangs
I checked the three kettles once again to see if everything was cooked to perfection.
The Three Musketeers had arrived really late last night, and had crashed immediately. They seemed to be famished, the poor souls.
Unfortunately for them, so was I…but not anymore.

265 characters.

By Willow at WillowDot21:
Someone had to stay up all day and night to keep the fires hot. It was so important that the alixier was maintained at 275 F. Douglas was tired of breathing life into dying embers. This job was far beneath his potential. He was a mighty dragon, sadly enslaved to a vain witch!
(278 Characters)
PS. Now we all know what happened to Puff the Magic Dragon AKA Douglas.

By Sadje at Keep it Alive:
The camp fire
The food was ready and Jay waited for the sound of horse returning. But the sound that came to his ears was of gunshots being fired. He took cover behind the trees and saw rogue cowboys ride by with captured horses and knew that nobody will be back to eat the dinner.

By Dave at Dave M Madden:
Ghosted
Nothing remained.
A smoldering pit told the tale of a village’s demise in cursive smoke trails rising toward the heavens.
The first wave of arrows muted the frontline’s alarms. Then, everyone was blind to the tsunami of slaughter.
In a heartbeat, an entire community flatlined.
Character count: 274

By Di at Pensitivity101:
They came and gathered,
Thieves in the night light.
Bellies full,
Eyes grew heavy, lids closed.
As breathing evened,
Bodies shifted.
The embers glowed,
Tentacles creeping
Towards those who slept.
Unchecked,
Fire devoured them all.

220 characters

By JP at The Wide-Eyed Wanderer:
Cauldrons Three
Three black pots hung over the fire.
“One for biscuits, one for stew and one for witchly brew,” the old crone cackled.
She ate her meager supper, sipped her tea and gazed at the stars. Memories of an age gone by when she and her sisters glimpsed the future through the magic eye.

Character count 278

By John at Broadsides:
Double Double boil and trouble
Fire burn and cauldron bubble
Throw in Poems and posts and tweets
And blogs from those you’ll never meet
In the cauldron boil and bake
With audio files, a charm to make
That cause bloggers in their dens
To drink it deep and deploy their pens.

By IndieShe:
The vicious storm’s whirlwind had destroyed all. Hunger was rampant. The tenacious women scoured through the scattered debris retrieving their battered pans.,collecting he dried bark and fallen fruit, and digging out the tuber. Huge fires dotted the land that fed hungry souls.
(279 characters)

By Hayley at The Story Files:
The Witches’ Pots
Three ancient hags sat around a fire, stirring their black pots which they added things too and whispered over.
‘Tail of rat dropped in this potion for a diplomat.’
‘Eyes of gnome dissolved in this lotion for Jerome.’
‘Tongue of duckling tender in this poison for the king.’

By Peter at Peter’s Pondering:
At the native American theme park, the false fire glow, created by the LED’s, wasn’t very realistic and, on closer inspection, the pots were made of some sort of plastic. The smell of cooking was pretty authentic though. No doubt intended to lure us to the overpriced food outlets!
(280 characters)

By Ponnz at The Swan Song:
Embers
Like her soul in love
dying embers of wood
hid stories, ashes of fall
Awaiting dawn, she froze
Fiddled by evening breeze
sustained smolders of past
lit her lifeless eyes, tears race
Spreading warmth to twilight.

Character count- 203

By Ron at Read 4 Fun:
Where Do You Hang Your Pot?
Staring at the visible border, we scavenged breakfast supplies We carried everything we had with us. Close and always at hand. The longer we were here, the fewer the people, the higher the desperation. We were burning salvaged abandoned stuff. Don’t know what we will burn next.

Our photo last week inspired Violet at Thru Violet’s Lentz to pen a short story. You can read it here…“Oakies”


Another great round of Twitter Tales. Thanks Everyone for joining us last week. For this week, I found this lovely photo by Juan Pablo at Pexels.com. I really like the girl’s expression in this photo. According to Pexels, she is sitting in a coffee shop. But don’t let that limit you. What do you suppose she’s thinking about, or looking at. Is that wistful look on her face the stuff of romance or is it something more sinister? I can see a bit of both. At any rate, you have the opportunity to weave a tiny story, tweet-style, in 280 characters or less. Have fun. I’ll see you at the Round Up.


Twittering Tales #120 – 22 January 2019

Photo by Juan Pablo at Pexels.com

It was Lilah’s spot; the window overlooking 3rd and Main.

“You can set your clock by her,” said one barista. “Yep…8:15 am.”

She’d order a coffee, black, and watch the city come to life. And wait to catch a glimpse of him.

One day she’d get the courage to say hello. One day.

~kat
276 Characters



Twittering Tales #119 – 15 January 2019

About the challenge: Each Tuesday I will provide a photo prompt. Your mission, if you choose to accept the challenge, is to tell a story in 280 characters or less. When you write your tale, be sure to let me know in the comments with a link to your tale.

A final note: if you need help tracking the number of characters in your story, there is a nifty online tool that will count for you at charactercountonline.com.

I will do a roundup each Tuesday, along with providing a new prompt. And if for some reason I missed your entry in the Roundup, as I have occasionally done, please let me know. I want to be sure to include your tale.

Finally, have fun!

And REMEMBER…you have 280 characters (spaces and punctuation included), to tell your tale…and a week to do it. I can’t wait to see what you create this week.


Twittering Tale #118 – The Roundup

Photo by Anasegota at Pixabay.com

Starting us off…

Anything…But
Norm loved his wife. He would do anything for his beloved Sadie.
When she asked for a VitaVeggieMatic, he thought, “Sure. Why not?”
Next day, he stared at the glass she served him. “It’s bubbling.”
“Just try it Norm,” Sadie pleaded.
When she looked away he fed the orchid.
It died.
~kat 
(279 Characters)

By Reena at ReInventions:
Soup for the Soul
I consume content that I enjoy, and some that I don’t. I need those knowledge inputs to keep going, in a competitive universe.
I use a green highlighter to recall all this stuff, when needed. It is spinach soup for the soul.
(223 words)

By The Dark Netizen:
Soup
Little Sammy was an ever-hungry child.
He would get hungry every few hours, much to the annoyance of his mother. The only viable solution she could think of, was preparing soup. Sammy would get a hot bowl of soup every time he got hungry.
Thus, began Sammy’s great love for soup…
Character Count: 280

By Fandango at This, That, and the Other:
I Don’t Do Green
I don’t like peas.
I hate spinach, asparagus, broccoli, and green beans.
Same with Brussels sprouts and green peppers.
Kale, zucchini, and artichokes are not for me.
I don’t eat green veggies.
So why would you put a glass of bubbly green gook in front of me and expect me to drink it?
(280 characters)

By Teresa at The Haunted Wordsmith:
Trust the Farmer
Dairy farmers were the first to suspect there was something off after reports of the UFO that was spotted over town three nights ago. Unfortunately, everyone was too busy debating the best way to keep aliens out, no one noticed the alien invasion.
247 characters

By Deepa at Sync With Deep:
Sou(l)p
dear Popeye,
thank you! I owe my eyesight to you!
with love, 
your diehard follower since 90’s.

By Dave at DaveMMadden:
Down the Hatch
First day of camp, time to begin shedding pounds, but he was at the gym’s door with a green, gelatinous ooze. 
“What is this?,” he asked his coach.
“Shut up and drink it,” was the response he received—and expected.
Round after round, his energy never wained.
Coach was right. Again.
Character count: 278

By Kristian at Tales from the Mind of Kristian:
A Green Awakening
Switching the bathroom light on, Jack stared aghast at the glass of tap water in his hand.
It was green, slimy and smelled terrible.
If only he hadn’t downed two glasses of water before he’d realised something wasn’t right.
Maybe he’d gain superpowers? The ability to fly?
Nope.
[276 characters]

By Jan at Strange Goings On in the Shed:
Transmigration
Transmigration was Yoda’s weak point. This was his last chance for redemption.
He summoned the Force and was one with it. Alas he misdialed and got the Juice Bar instead.
The Jedi Academy had its share of industrial accidents, but this was the last straw.
(253 characters)

By Ponnz at The Swan Song:
You serve a threat
In a glass of green!
A green pea juice
Bitter gourd shake?
Smelling lemongrass
I feel the need of pet
A white little rat or
Carrot detesting hare
I meet your glare
Wait!I’m risking life
A quick little sip
Smile on my lips
A sugarcane juice
Burying Wonderful
Thanks rolls off!
Character count:280

By Di at Pensitivity101:
Hubble, bubble, toil and trouble,
Seaweed leaves and old man’s stubble.
Potion made to make you slim,
Eat what you like, no dieting.
Drink and swallow, down it goes,
Yep, it helps to hold your nose.
193 characters

By Willow at WillowDot21:
Trouble in heaven and hell.
Satan hated January, Dry, Vegan, Veggie, No Smoking month! Those humans were always so good at the start of the year. Nevermind come February and the smiles would be wiped from Gabe and the guys upstairs faces. Back to drinking, gluttony and good old St. Valentines debourchery.
(278 Characters)

By the Indishe:
The crisp leaves were meticulously cut, soaked and gently scrubbed till they shone and pulsated into that green mannah that she drank with gusto. Next morning,the headlines screamed that spinach in the stalls had been laced with deadly arsenic!This is the parody of our times!
(278 characters)

By Melanie at Sparks from a Combustible Mind:
Frankenstein wasn’t having a good day.   He’d had his jolt from the doctor’s electrode, but was still ill.   That’s when Mrs. M Frankenstein (to differentiate from Mrs. D Frankenstein, who looked a lot like Terri Garr) made him a pick me up.  What was in it is anyone’s guess.
(Character count:  276)

By Eva at Jean Luce:
A Strange Green Tale
The hurricane along the Florida coast is confusing the forecasters. The ocean is bubbling and green froth covers the eastern seaboard. The school children are sent home early. They discover that the green froth is tasty compared to limp french fries and cold hot dogs.

By Peter at Peter’s Pondering (Two Tales this Week!):
1-Polly’s Revenge  – following on from Polly’s Dream
Her mistress was insisting that Polly drank a kale and cabbage smoothie every day.
It tasted awful. She was not going to put up with it.
She’d had some senna pods stored in the cage corner, just in case.
She now mixed all of them in with the smoothie.
They’d soon change their minds!
(280 characters)

2-The Intern’s error
Each intern was warned – “Do not take petri dish B17 out of the fridge”
Simon didn’t listen!
So, when he was told to take out the samples ready to incubate them, B17 was amongst them.
She had been waiting for 39 years, and now, breathing at last, she prepared to take over the earth!
(280 characters)

By Anurag at Jagahdilmein:
The Booster Shot
“Honey, this doesn’t look very safe for our boy.”
“Don’t worry babe, the Doctor said it’ll make him big and strong.”
“OK, if the Doc says it’s fine…”
“Hon, what’s happening?”
“Well, he does seem big and strong…and green.”
“Which Doc did you go to?”
“Dr. Bruce Banner, darling.”
275 characters

By Michael at Morpethroad:
She argued it was good for me.
But it was green.
She’d gone to a lot of trouble
But it was green
and not an attractive green.
Juicing was the way to good health
But it was green
Full of goodness and vitality
But it was green
She said I needed all the help I could get
Sadly she was right.
(278 characters)

By Radhika at Radhika’s Reflection:
Bon Appetit!
The menu read, “ Organic spinach sautéed with garlic, blanched and pureed to perfection. Infused with aromatic herbs and garnished with fresh cream!”
“Mellow in taste and low in calories” beamed the waiter.
I kept staring at the bowl of soup placed in front of me…..
Letter count : 270

By Amritha at Igniting Hope:
Simply Resistible
You put some spinach in,
You take the huge stalks out!
You put some green apples in and shake it all above,
Squeeze a dash of lemon with a pinch of salt to taste,
And a bubbling health drink comes to you!
But I really wonder why are healthy foods never irresistible!
(263 characters)

By Indhu at Always!:
Luck Potion
“You must drink it up in one go”, said the lady.
He did. He waited two days before he returned. 
“Nothing has changed!”
“Oh, I am sorry, I forgot one ingredient in the luck potion. Give me another 500 and I will make it perfect this time!”, said the Witch. 
<254 characters>

By JP at Wide-Eyed Wanderer:
Spell for a Smoothie
Seed of chia, an apple pale
hand full of spinach
hand full of kale
add some honey
it’s no trouble
flip the switch
and let the cauldron bubble
by the pricking of my thumbs
something wicked this way comes
character count: 194

By Ron at Read 4 Fun:
It Gets Better
“Drink this?”
“No, watch. It’s the future.”
“What’s in it?”
“Racism, hatred, cruelty, and evil dipped in hubris. The best poison for humanity ever devised. One ingredient we couldn’t get rid of. It’s boiling at the top.”
“What?”
“Hope. It always boils its way to the top.”
273 characters

By John at Broadsides:
At the Guinness factory we have been working on a special brew for the coming St. Patrick’s Day. Without losing any of the traditional burnt oaky dark flavour, or colour and taste, we have managed to produce a smooth leprechaun green head on the pint. As we say in Ireland “Slainte, Lá fhéile Pádraig sona dhaoibh!”

Newcomer Ira from As Time Flies offers us a tale inspired by last week’s photo (The Parrot):
All In Heart
He understood why they say ‘love is blind’ for there she had a warm smile for the ordinary green while the exquisite and bright member of the species felt neglected. He sat on the edge, gazing at her beauty while she ignored him like always.


Thank you to everyone who joined the challenge. What a fun mix of tales this week. It ain’t easy bein’ green! I just read a report that here in the US lovers of greens best cook them well. With the shutdown going on 4 weeks now, inspectors are on furlough or in short supply and well, there might be more than meets the eye lurking in you salad. EWE! Well, that’s my PSA for the day. Stay safe while you’re trying to be healthy!

This week we have a photo by Pexel at Pixabay.com. They call this photo “Campfire”. It could be camping…or there could be another story here. I have no doubt you will come up with a campfire tale or two that will surprise and delight us, or terrify us or make us think. I love this challenge and the creativity you bring to the table! Remember to keep it under 280 characters and most importantly, have fun! I’ll see you at the Round Up!

Twittering Tales #119 – 15 January 2019

Photo by Pexel @ Pixabay.com

Rain or shine Granny cooked her kettles of soup. The hungry came. She fed them all.

It was against the law to feed the poor where Granny lived. It wasn’t long before the city shut her down.

“Don’t you worry,” she shouted as they led her away. “I’ll be back. People gots to eat.”

~kat

278 Characters


There have been stories in the news recently about people like Granny. Good hearted souls who are trying to do the right thing. To feed the hungry. It surprised me to learn that several cities in our country have passed laws that state feeding the homeless in public places is a misdemeanor crime. The powers that be claim that the spread of hep A is the reason for this ban. And fear that the food might not meet certain standards and make people sick. But the thing is, there are no accounts of anyone getting sick from these make shift kitchens. The real reason seems to be more hideous. These cities just don’t want the homeless in their midst. I remember the battle several of us had years ago trying to set up a homeless shelter. “We don’t have homeless people in this county,” the city council said. “If we let you open this shelter, homeless people will come here from the city.”

I believe we’re losing our heart and soul. And like the Granny in my tale, I say, “People gots to eat.” Who are we if we turn the hungry away. Who are we indeed.




Twittering Tales #118 – 8 January 2019

About the challenge: Each Tuesday I will provide a photo prompt. Your mission, if you choose to accept the challenge, is to tell a story in 280 characters or less. When you write your tale, be sure to let me know in the comments with a link to your tale.

A final note: if you need help tracking the number of characters in your story, there is a nifty online tool that will count for you at charactercountonline.com.

I will do a roundup each Tuesday, along with providing a new prompt. And if for some reason I missed your entry in the Roundup, as I have occasionally done, please let me know. I want to be sure to include your tale.

Finally, have fun!

And REMEMBER…you have 280 characters (spaces and punctuation included), to tell your tale…and a week to do it. I can’t wait to see what you create this week.


Twittering Tales #117 – The Roundup

Photo by Free-Photo at Pixabay.com

Starting us off…
My humans love to repeat some silly words. ‘Hello, bye bye, nite-nite.’ Lame! Sometimes I give ‘em a ‘good boy’ or ‘hello’. The old guy is my favorite. He taught me a few new words. 
Whenever I get tired of the one they call mom I give her a loud SHIT. I like to hear her scream!
~kat
(278 Characters)

By Deepa at Sync With Deep:
Free Bird
Me to my son : know what, to be free is like being a bird.. How I wish I were… 
I heard my pet parrot in the cage laugh the first time..

By Reena at ReInventions:
Loaded Silence
Let them hear their voices echo against the walls, on a chilled night. Let it induce terror in their cruel hearts, and freeze their dirty hands.
I have vowed to remain silent today. The robbers are in. I will play back the sounds tomorrow, when my people return.
(261 characters)

By Ramya at And Miles to Go Before I Sleep:
Diet Resolution
Few days before New Year :
I have become fat. I think I should go on a diet just like my humans. This will be my new year resolution.
After New Year:
My favourite snack!! Let me just take a bite.. Yummy!!
There is always a new year for resolution. Let me just eat now..
Character Count : 265

By Piyali at Piyali’s Blogs:
A New Companion
You’re experiencing Empty Nest Syndrome.
How’s that even possible? I’ve tried to keep myself busy after Dave left for college.
Have you thought about pets? They help in alleviating loneliness.
I am not an animal lover. Dogs and cats are too high-maintenance. 
How about a bird then? 
277 Characters

By Fandango at This, That, and the Other:
A Cracker, Dammit
I’m a pretty boy.
Squawk, squawk.
Polly wants a cracker.
Squawk, squawk.
Hello, hello.
Squawk, squawk.
Polly wants a cracker.
You’re a babe.
Squawk, squawk.
Hello, hello.
You’re a babe.
I’m a pretty boy.
Polly wants a cracker, dammit.
Not a goddam walnut.
Are you fucking stupid or something?
(279 characters)

By Di at Pensitivity101:
What the hell is this?
I am a parrot,  a blue and gold macaw actually, from South America no less.
I need nutritious food such as nuts and fruit, not this manufactured puffed up popcorn!
184 characters

By Michael at Morpethroad:
Polly wanted a cracker.
Polly was insistent she get that cracker there and then.
Her screeching was deafening.
Mum screamed at us the shut Polly up.
We found her a cracker, and she greedily ate.
Crumbs fell everywhere.
Polly got a cracker, and we got peace.
(249 Characters)

By Teresa at The Haunted Wordsmith:
What the Parrot Saw
“Speak, you crummy bird.” Sammy shook the bird viciously.
Tommy put his hand on Sammy’s shoulder. “Told ya, it ain’t one of them talkin’ birds.”
Sammy stared at Tommy and threw the bird out the open window.
Minutes later, police arrived. 
“That’s them officer,” the parrot squawked. 
This 280-character 

By Peter at Peter’s Pondering:
Polly dream
I’m sick of this cabbage and carrot diet. Look, it’s turning my tail feathers green!
Thank goodness it’s Christmas. 
Maybe I’ll get some plum pudding, and there’s bound to be some nuts and fruit going spare.
I’m hoping there may be stilton and port left over too.
Now we’re talking!
(279 characters)

By Anurag at Jagahdilmein:
Crushing the Revolution
I looked inside the cage and said, “Repeat after me, I will not try to flee again.”
But the insolent cad chewed on a nut silently, ignoring me completely.
“Open the cage,” I ordered the guard.
It was time to remind these pathetic humans not to mess with their owners.
266 characters.

By The Dark Netizen:
Parrot
Parrots can be trained well, this I knew.
My parrot though, was a genius. It learned to mimic the human voice in no time at all. Soon, it had learned to ask for crackers. It did not take long for it to start taking all the crackers for itself.
I guess it mimicked human greed too..
Character Count: 280

By Sadje at Keep It Alive:
Peter, bought a Macaw, beautiful yellow and blue. It was the envy of his friends. 
He wanted a singing bird but only got loud squawks instead. In desperation he took him to a bird trainer,expert in this art. 
The guy looked at Peter and shook his head sadly, sorry my friend, your Macaw has no talent in talking or singing. 
Word count: 280

By JP at the Wide-Eyed Wanderer:
Extortion
“It’s extortion you know,” Bill scowled at the blue Macaw, “those bloody nuts are expensive.”
The Macaw turned and eyed his owner, “Squawk … ‘What are you doing with that ax Bill? No Bill, NO! AHHHHHHH’ squawk”
Bill handed the bird another nut.
Character count: 245

By Kirst at Kirst Writes:
Repetition
This time it’ll work out. Sure, she’s my “usual type” – crazy, party girl – but she’s not like the rest. She’ll want to settle down, I’m sure.
Can’t wait for her to meet Dad. My new girlfriend! Poor Dad, never did find the right woman.
Funny how neither of us have had much luck.
(279 characters)

By Hélène at Willow Poetry:
Magic Cookies
My parrot, Edgar, doesn’t like his Christmas treat.
He looks at me, then at his little bowl.
What’s this? he asks me.
Christmas cookies, Edgar, a special treat.
Them no quackers! You think me a dog?
Edgar, I know you are a parrot just taste the cookies.
Cookies magic turn me into dog?
280 characters.

By Ponnz at The Swan Song:
Your Colours Aren’t Mine
Blue and yellow hues collide
Colourful palette to the eyes
I hear them say everyday
With me their selfies play
Mirroring them I wink back
How beautiful it feels!
I see myself, my feathers
I find nothing to praise
For it’s not the same eyes
I am sitting behind bars
Your colours aren’t mine

By John at Broadsides:
A parrot, a parrot, a parrot, this could become repetitive but parrots are repeaters, a parrot, a parrot, a parrot my kingdom for a horse.

By Dave at Dave M Madden:
Finding Success as a Parrot
Peacocking in an outfit far too colorful for the occasion, it was hard not to feel bad for the guy: an ugly duckling with a voice that squawked like a crow.
His popularity perched on an ability to repeat others.
He could fly with the flock as long as he wasn’t a dodo.
Character count: 278

By Willow at WillowDot21:
Trouble in Heaven
George the parrot was back. Michael and Azriel fed the errant bird.
Gabriel arrived, delighted to see his pet. “I wander where he has been” he asked. George looked him in the eye and said. “Gabe’s a twit Gabe’s a twit”Gabriel was furious.In the distance Satan cackled. God coughed.
(280 Characters)

By Ron at Read 4 Fun:
Hold the (Party) Line!
Let’s start the show. Come to order! It has come to our attention some of you are expressing independence in a message. Your only job is to parrot the party line. We give you the talking points, you repeat over and over. Are you Democrats? Can you hear me? Is this thing on?


You all cracked me up with your twittering tales last week. Brilliant! What a great start to the new year! Thank you to everyone who participated! This week…yes it’s been a week…how is everyone doing with your new year’s resolution. Or maybe you don’t do resolutions. Too much pressure. It ain’t easy bein’ green, or for that matter downing that healthy Jamba Juice you promised yourself you would drink every day for a month because it takes a month for anything to become a habit. Read my green rimmed lips. Drinking kale juice will never become a habit for me. But enough about my failed attempts at being healthy! For your challenge this week a photo of a nice tall glass of healthy brew by Anasegota at Pixabay.com. Maybe you’re a fan of the stuff. If so, my apologies if I have offended you. To each their own! Remember, you have one week and 280 characters or less to tell your tale. See you at next week’s roundup!
Photo by Anasegota at Pixabay.com

Anything…But

Norm loved his wife. He would do anything for his beloved Sadie.

When she asked for a VitaVeggieMatic, he thought, “Sure. Why not?”

Next day, he stared at the glass she served him. “It’s bubbling.”

“Just try it Norm,” Sadie pleaded.

When she looked away he fed the orchid.

It died.

~kat 😉

(279 Characters)


Twittering Tales #117 – 1 January 2019

About the challenge: Each Tuesday I will provide a photo prompt. Your mission, if you choose to accept the challenge, is to tell a story in 280 characters or less. When you write your tale, be sure to let me know in the comments with a link to your tale.

A final note: if you need help tracking the number of characters in your story, there is a nifty online tool that will count for you at charactercountonline.com.

I will do a roundup each Tuesday, along with providing a new prompt. And if for some reason I missed your entry in the Roundup, as I have occasionally done, please let me know. I want to be sure to include your tale.

Finally, have fun!

And REMEMBER…you have 280 characters (spaces and punctuation included), to tell your tale…and a week to do it. I can’t wait to see what you create this week.


Twittering Tales #116 – The Roundup

Starting us off…
There had been a spree of holiday heists on Elm St. The neighborhood watch stepped up its surveillance thanks to Norman, who made ornaments fitted with cameras. As he watched monitors in Mrs. Dudley’s attic, the thief made his move. 
Could it be? He gasped. The Grinch was real!
~kat
279 Characters

By Reena at ReInventions:
Future Stories
Cold nights and bare branches are my canvas to paint life. Snow will cover everything soon, but greenery waits for spring – buried beneath shades of white and grey. This is the time I choose to impregnate darkness and write the future.
Fear not … I’m a messenger of times to come.
(279 characters)

By Michael at Morpethroad:
At midnight a single light shone from an upstairs window.
The old man wrapped the only gift he gave each year.
The tree in the yard was festooned with the signal bauble.
At one minute past, he heard the tap.
Bowing he gave the gift to his caller.
The caller gave him another year.

By Willow at WillowDot21:
Every year two red lights, one in the tree and one the attic. Nick looked forward to this stop. Rudolph and the gang not so much. Well, he got brandy and mince pies, they got carrots! This year was different there was a bucket of beer left out for gang. It was zig,zag all the way home.
(285 Characters)

By Ponnz at The Swan Song:
Deserted
Twilight it is, love
Welcoming me home
Deserted as it, I am
You failed to phone
Christmas it is, bells
I’ll hang ’em up now
Just to let you know
I was here in the snow.

By The Dark Netizen:
CHRISTMAS NIGHT
This is the last house for the night.
It does look quite weird, the Christmas decoration. Spooky. But as Santa Claus, I will do my job.
Nice, an open window. Now only to place the present. Wait, what’s this? A TRAP?
Why are these people approaching me with knives and a hungry look?!

By Di at Pensitivity101:
She watched the two baubles on the tree outside from her attic bedroom window.
At the strike of midnight, a moonbeam hit one, then the other, uniting them.
She smiled and whispered ‘Merry Christmas Mum and Dad. I love you’
then settled down to sleep.
247 characters.

By Fandango at This, That, and the Other:
The Haunting
“What’s your problem?” Tim asked. “Why do you always take the long way home?”
“That big, old house on Main Street,” Dave said. “It’s haunted. I’ve seen the ghosts.”
“You’re just a scaredy-cat.”
“Am not.”
“Are too.”
“Fine,” Dave said. “Let’s go that way.”
Neither boy was seen again.
(276 characters)

By Ron at Read 4 Fun:
Even Santa Can Get it Wrong
Norman rented them the fraternity house on Elm St in the town of Amityville for pledge night. Committee members Freddy, Jason, and Chucky would approve new members. Joker provided laughs. Jigsaw posed riddles to candidates. Wait! Yo! Santa, are you sure you want to pledge this?
278 characters

By Peter at Peter’s Pondering:
The old house has been deserted for years.
Each Christmas, on the bare tree in front, a few old baubles appear.
No-one ever sees who places them there, or who takes them down on twelfth night.
No-one ever witnesses the party that takes place, and survives!
Unfortunately for you!
(279 characters)

By JP at Wide-Eyed Wanderer:
This Old House
Teena surveyed the old house with a quiet kind of dread. The old man lived alone and needed a caregiver. Teena needed a job, but still, this was creepy. Ah well, nothing for it, she walked to the door and knocked. The door opened silently on it’s own. Teena screamed.
Character count 272

By Anurag at Jagahdilmein:
Midnight Marauders
We froze as we heard a scampering sound, and then a big THUD!
As Pat checked through the keyhole, I whispered accusingly, “It’s Christmas Eve, the house would be empty, you said!”
275 characters.

By Deepa at Sync With Deep:
The Wait Begins
city was lit up
when festivities were on
post festive
empty streets are depressing
people are back to square one
worried about electric bills
the wait for another year
has already begun
when the few happy days
will come again
and light these streets up!!

By Deb at Twenty Four:
Marcia paused as she walked by the old mansion which sat on the hill. It had been empty ever since the tragic accident but the Christmas decorations remained.
Marcia shook her head and then continued on her way, a eerie smile twisting her lips.
An accident, that was what it was.
(280 characters)

By Indhu at Always!:
Spread Happiness
“Why is this house not decorated?”, asked little Matt. 
“The old man living in this house has no family and would like to keep it to himself”, said his Mom.
Next morning, old Harry opened his front door and saw decorations on his old parched tree. 
He couldn’t help but smile!
<273 characters>


Wonderful roundup my friends. I am honored that you joined the challenge durring this holiday week for so many of you. As I prepare this roundup, we are mere hours away from a new year. I wish every one of you a 2019 filled with happiness, good health, love and peace. And thank you so much for sharing this tiny part of your journey with me in 280 characters or less. 🙂 On to next year! What conversation did this unsuspecting voyeur overhear? Did he witness a crime? Or maybe he has some observations about the humans nearby. Be sure to link back to the comments or ping your story here. And I’ll see you at the Round Up. Have fun!


Twittering Tales #117 – 1 January 2019

Photo by Free-Photos at Pixabay.com

My humans love to repeat some silly words. ‘Hello, bye bye, nite-nite.’ Lame! Sometimes I give ‘em a ‘good boy’ or ‘hello’. The old guy is my favorite. He taught me a few new words.

Whenever I get tired of the one they call mom I give her a loud SHIT. I like to hear her scream!

~kat

(278 Characters)