101 Words

101 Word Short Stories

I Do This and That

18 Comments

By Paul Jones

I stay in bed too long most days. I boil water when half awake. Then forget to add the coffee. I’m out of tea. I feel the cold floor on my bare feet. I could put on socks or turn up the heat. I do nothing much. I worry about animals. Here and in Africa and the last cloud leopard. I want to write a check to make their lives better. I’m out of stamps. I want to call a friend who is still in Vietnam, but it’s noon here and midnight there. I call anyway. As if he could answer.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Caroline Stone says

    I love the way you developed the character… I have an exact idea of him/her in my head even after such a short story.

    Reply

  2. Jenny Bates says

    LOVE this Paul! and thank you for mentioning the Clouded Leopard! They do indeed accept online donations…just saying…

    Reply

  3. Connie Aiken says

    Your poem is staying with me. A lot to think about in 101 words. Tea , bare feet, cloud leopard, Vietnam. Does the number 101 have meaning?

    Reply

  7. Fran Scott says

    I could really relate to this writing. I could feel the lethargy in this piece and the sense of anxiety. The last line leaves the reader with questions. Why couldn’t he answer.

    Reply

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