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101 Word Short Stories

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An Empty Heart Holds Only Echoes

July 11, 2025 9 Comments

By Terrye Turpin

The day after her husband’s funeral, a crow crashed into Vera Scott’s patio door. At first, she overlooked the small black body on the other side of the glass. The collision’s hollow thump had been so loud she had expected something larger to have caused it.

She kneeled and picked up the motionless bird. Lined above them in the trees, a murder of crows assembled. Cawing, they hopped from limb to limb—loud, black-clad mourners.

Tired of death, she willed the bird to stir. A shiny eye blinked. With a rustle of ebony feathers, the crow flew—hollow bones lifted weightless.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Greg Nooney says

    July 11, 2025 at 8:53 am

    Elegantly beautiful!

    Reply
  2. Rudolph Ferro says

    July 11, 2025 at 10:48 am

    Ah, the power in the magic of love. A beautiful short story.
    A lot said in a few words.

    Reply
  3. Meghan says

    July 12, 2025 at 12:20 am

    Breathtaking.

    Reply
  4. Mary says

    July 12, 2025 at 3:36 am

    Beautiful story bringing light out of darkness connecting humanity with nature loved the ending. Wonderfully written

    Reply
  5. Heather Bennett says

    July 14, 2025 at 8:03 am

    What a lovely portrayal of hope.

    Reply
  6. Carla Conorino says

    July 14, 2025 at 10:10 pm

    Love this! So spiritual!

    Reply
  7. Janet says

    July 16, 2025 at 10:03 am

    ???? Lovely

    Reply
  8. Sharon Murphy says

    July 16, 2025 at 2:42 pm

    Love this story of hope despite grief.

    Reply
  9. PK says

    July 17, 2025 at 2:58 pm

    Beautiful balance between life and death, grieving and giving.

    Reply

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