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101 Words

101 Word Short Stories

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À La Crab

March 30, 2026 5 Comments

By Joanna Szeto

Cindy doodled with her crayons while her dad prepared dinner.

He sliced and diced the carrots as she selected the perfect colors for her coastal masterpiece. Grayish-brown with a purple tinge on its back, long slender legs, and snowy-white-tipped claws. She created a tidepool of rich colors. Pacific purple sea urchins, giant green anemones, and periwinkle snails.

The crab walked back and forth in front of Cindy, seeming to eye his portrait approvingly. “Not bad,” said Dad. He picked up the squirming crustacean and dropped it into the pot.

“No!” cried Cindy.

The crab turned bright red. Cindy became a vegetarian.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mary says

    March 30, 2026 at 11:35 am

    Ah amazing story so well showed not told. I am so sad for Cindy. Great story telling.

    Reply
    • Joanna Szeto says

      March 31, 2026 at 11:08 am

      Thanks. Created the story using three words that began with c: crayon, crab, and carrot.

      Reply
  2. Lynn M. Rice says

    March 31, 2026 at 4:17 pm

    This was laugh-out-loud funny!

    Reply
    • Joanna Szeto says

      April 1, 2026 at 10:43 am

      Thanks. I’m trying to write more humorous pieces. The world could use more humor.

      Reply
  3. Toni Brayer says

    June 11, 2026 at 10:19 am

    Love it. The scene was set so well.

    Reply

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