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101 Word Short Stories

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Horsemaker

December 27, 2022 8 Comments

By David Henson

Vickie locked herself in the toilet her first day at the resource center’s workshop. After we talked her out, we found a Magic Marker herd galloping across the green tile wall.

She kept to herself, always sitting alone during lunch and breaks. With pencil and paper, she sketched—a hoof on a trail, a flank bulging like a thundercloud, thin arms ‘round a giant neck, a flowing tail…

I kept the drawings for Vickie in my desk. She said the close-ups would bring to life the horse that, one day, would carry her away.

I could never bring myself to disagree.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jillian Collette says

    December 27, 2022 at 10:39 am

    So many emotions expressed so well with few words. Thank you for sharing!!

    Reply
  2. David Henson says

    December 27, 2022 at 10:45 am

    Thank you !

    Reply
  3. JK Hayward-Trout says

    December 27, 2022 at 12:51 pm

    Poor Vickie, and, yet maybe not if she keeps her dreams alive. I like this story.

    Reply
    • David Henson says

      December 27, 2022 at 2:32 pm

      Thanks for commenting. Glad you like the story!

      Reply
  4. AB says

    December 27, 2022 at 3:01 pm

    beautiful imagery and tone

    Reply
    • David Henson says

      December 27, 2022 at 4:08 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply
  5. Doug Jacquier says

    December 28, 2022 at 3:06 pm

    Strong imagery. Well done.

    Reply
    • David Henson says

      December 28, 2022 at 6:01 pm

      Thank you

      Reply

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