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101 Word Short Stories

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At Nine

October 27, 2022 24 Comments

By Kelly Louisa Balliu

At nine, I wanted to write story books so that I could bring mythological creatures to life. My classmates laughed at my naivety.

I practiced applying lipstick alongside my prettier best friend and told her I wanted to be a model. She said I’d probably end up being stalked. Suddenly, that idea didn’t seem so rosy.

I switched paths when my new cat-eye glasses caused other kids to ask directions to the library; that was, until Miss Dibbs collapsed and I was the only one to run for help while the others ran amok.

That Christmas, Santa brought me a stethoscope.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Derek says

    October 27, 2022 at 8:53 am

    I enjoyed reading this story. Kelly brings alive the hopes and dreams with economy of language too.

    Reply
    • Kelly Louisa Balliu says

      October 27, 2022 at 9:40 am

      Many thanks for reading, Derek! That is what I was trying to convey

      Reply
  2. Vivian says

    October 27, 2022 at 9:06 am

    Nice!

    Reply
    • Kelly Louisa Balliu says

      October 27, 2022 at 9:41 am

      Thanks Vivian!

      Reply
  3. Scott Bogart says

    October 27, 2022 at 9:52 am

    Made me smile.

    Reply
    • Kelly Louisa Balliu says

      October 29, 2022 at 1:45 pm

      Thanks Scott 🙂 🙂

      Reply
  4. Emma says

    October 27, 2022 at 12:30 pm

    Amazing

    Reply
    • Kelly Louisa Balliu says

      October 28, 2022 at 6:28 am

      Thanks Em 🙂

      Reply
  5. Lynn says

    October 27, 2022 at 12:32 pm

    Really love that Kelly

    Reply
    • Kelly Louisa Balliu says

      October 28, 2022 at 6:29 am

      I really appreciate you taking the time to read Lynn – thank you 🙂

      Reply
  6. S says

    October 27, 2022 at 7:49 pm

    Loved it.

    Reply
    • Kelly Louisa Balliu says

      October 29, 2022 at 4:38 am

      Thanks for reading, S 🙂

      Reply
  7. Jennifer says

    October 29, 2022 at 11:54 am

    A wonderful concise story about a little girl’s dream. Perfect.

    Reply
    • Kelly Louisa Balliu says

      October 29, 2022 at 1:44 pm

      Thank you for the lovely comment, Jennifer 🙂

      Reply
  8. yogita says

    November 1, 2022 at 5:36 am

    How sweet..you have a wonderful way with words. Just 101 words conveying so much…loved it

    Reply
    • Kelly Louisa Balliu says

      November 1, 2022 at 9:01 am

      Wow, thank you so much for the lovely comment, Yogita. I find it very hard to motivate myself to write at the moment, so all these comments help to give me the push I need.

      Reply
  9. Kristie says

    November 2, 2022 at 12:09 pm

    I love this! Get there, doc!

    Reply
    • Kelly Louisa Balliu says

      November 8, 2022 at 6:49 am

      Yey! Thanks Kristie 🙂

      Reply
  10. Doug Jacquier says

    November 2, 2022 at 3:06 pm

    Bet she can’t wait to have her former classmates on her patient list. 😉 Clever stuff.

    Reply
  11. Anna Hallett says

    November 2, 2022 at 3:33 pm

    This is a wonderful story about finding life’s true path. She could have done it all, but discovered her true passion. Great story!

    Reply
  12. Inanna Baskan says

    November 2, 2022 at 3:50 pm

    I think the lipstick could come first. Then the stories and the rest as given.

    Nice exploration of possible careers. Nice affirmation of a non-traditional female path.

    That takes us from lipstick to a totally serious possibility.

    Reply
  13. Nina says

    November 2, 2022 at 5:57 pm

    So sweet! That’s the beauty of childhood right there…so many possibilities!

    Reply
  14. Robert Burns says

    November 3, 2022 at 11:18 am

    Great story, Kelly!

    Reply
  15. Pamela Cartlidge says

    November 3, 2022 at 1:48 pm

    Amusing and captivating story, yet also chilling!!!

    Reply

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