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101 Words

101 Word Short Stories

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On the Advantages of Urban Gardening

October 30, 2025 5 Comments

By Malte Springer

The nightshades had seen everything.

From their raised bed, the eggplants—hopeless romantics—first noticed the two stargazing humans.

True to their name, the bird’s eye chilis updated the others on the couple’s cautious flirtations.

The wind carried over his aggression and unwanted advances, rattling the tomatillos’ delicate stems.

A sudden bang left the peppers unfazed. They’d seen some shit.

When she buried his body in their soil, the potatoes confirmed that her rage was righteous.

Working together, the vegetables released extra enzymes to quicken decomposition.

Police arrived at sunup, but the deed was done.

The nightshades had kept her secret.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Stella says

    October 30, 2025 at 9:33 am

    Excellent 101 words. Well done!

    Reply
  2. Nan says

    October 30, 2025 at 10:10 am

    Oh this was fun!

    Reply
  3. Laura Besley says

    October 31, 2025 at 2:42 am

    Great use of an unusual point of view & I really enjoyed the plants being in on the action!

    Reply
  4. Bud says

    November 5, 2025 at 2:58 pm

    Dark humor with plants! Nicely done. Especially loved the peppers line.

    Reply
  5. Ramona T. says

    November 5, 2025 at 6:03 pm

    Chilling tale, I particularly liked the personification of the garden vegetables, each with their own personality.

    Reply

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