Win Cash Prizes & Get Professional Feedback @ Flash Fiction Magazine
Learn More
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

101 Words

101 Word Short Stories

  • Subscribe
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Volunteer

Birthday Bubble

December 13, 2021 26 Comments

By Charles Gray

Dad’s arms trembled as he struggled with his walker over the rugged grass. When he reached the gravesite, I helped him onto his folding chair. Our family’s smiling faces were reunited in picture frames my siblings placed against the headstone alongside a bouquet of magnolias. Mariachi music played. Balloons speckled the clouds. With all of us singing, I’m sure Mom heard our tearful rendition of “Happy Birthday.” We waved our wands and watched the bubbles drop onto the grass without popping. One big bubble swirled around Dad’s head, smacked his lips, and burst. Right then, I knew Mom enjoyed her party.

Share this:

  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • More
  • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram
  • Share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest

The Power of Imagery with Nina Schuyler

September 12 & 13 on Zoom
Enrollment closes Thursday, September 3 at 7:00 PM Pacific

If your descriptions are vivid but your stories still feel thin, this workshop is for you.

Join award-winning author Nina Schuyler to learn the difference between description, which tells a reader what things look like, and imagery, which carries plot, character, and meaning at the same time.

In just two days, you'll learn to choose images that hold emotion without naming it, pair them so each one deepens the other, and build patterns that gather meaning as the story moves.

Learn More and Enroll

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Helen C says

    December 13, 2021 at 9:06 am

    A very beautiful story in so few words – well done!

    Reply
    • Charles says

      December 13, 2021 at 10:31 am

      Thank you Helen.

      Reply
  2. Alastair says

    December 13, 2021 at 9:34 am

    That’s lovely, good job!

    Reply
    • Charles says

      December 13, 2021 at 10:32 am

      Thanks Alastair.

      Reply
  3. albertkatz says

    December 13, 2021 at 10:09 am

    I liked this very much. A beautiful, and loving portrayal.

    Reply
    • Charles says

      December 13, 2021 at 10:32 am

      Thank you Albert.

      Reply
  4. Coco says

    December 13, 2021 at 10:27 am

    Love the bubble kiss!
    Well done!

    Reply
    • Charles says

      December 13, 2021 at 10:33 am

      Thank you Coco!

      Reply
  5. Peggy Gerber says

    December 13, 2021 at 10:42 am

    You painted a very vivid picture.

    Reply
    • Charles says

      December 13, 2021 at 12:31 pm

      Thank you, Peggy.

      Reply
  6. Rita+Riebel-Mitchell says

    December 13, 2021 at 3:48 pm

    I enjoyed this well-written little story. Great imagery with emotion and a little bit of ghostly humor. Congrats!

    Reply
    • Charles says

      December 15, 2021 at 9:20 am

      Thankyou Rita

      Reply
  7. Tom Baldwin says

    December 13, 2021 at 4:04 pm

    A true love story. Well done, Charles.

    Reply
    • Charles says

      December 15, 2021 at 9:21 am

      Thanks Tom

      Reply
  8. Valli Henry-Boldini says

    December 13, 2021 at 5:21 pm

    Simply beautiful little story…well told… I loved the ending…kudos…

    Reply
    • Charles says

      December 15, 2021 at 9:22 am

      Thanks Valli

      Reply
  9. Susan Conrad says

    December 15, 2021 at 7:37 am

    Lovely. I loved the image of the balloons against the clouds.

    Reply
    • Charles says

      December 15, 2021 at 11:34 am

      Thank you Susan

      Reply
  10. Melanie says

    December 15, 2021 at 8:22 am

    This is really sweet and sad. Well done!

    Reply
    • Charles says

      December 15, 2021 at 11:34 am

      Thanks Melanie.

      Reply
  11. Ekta Garg says

    December 15, 2021 at 2:02 pm

    So sweet! Very nicely done.

    Reply
    • Charles says

      December 16, 2021 at 10:51 pm

      Thank you Ekta!

      Reply
  12. Richard Temple says

    December 15, 2021 at 4:35 pm

    Oh that is just fabulous. Nearly made me cry in 101 words!

    Reply
    • Charles says

      December 16, 2021 at 10:53 pm

      Thanks Richard!

      Reply
  13. Jake says

    December 16, 2021 at 1:48 pm

    Nicely done. My favorite line is “One big bubble swirled around Dad’s head, smacked his lips, and burst.” — I felt it really pulled the story together nicely and created good emotional impact.

    Reply
    • Charles says

      December 16, 2021 at 10:53 pm

      Thanks Jake, fellow FFM!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Search Stories

The end.