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101 Word Short Stories

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Perfect Child

September 19, 2024 16 Comments

By Deborah Sale-Butler

I selected the color of your eyes, your skin, even the platinum blonde hair that frames your square-jawed face. And tall. Of course I made you tall.

I chose the highest IQ, talent in math and science, but also art (as a creative release and something to talk about with the important people you would no doubt know).

The genetic technician reviewed your traits. “Are you sure you want an IQ that high?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” I didn’t understand.

It’s been years since we’ve spoken. My average life holds no interest for you.

I should have made you more like me.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marie says

    September 19, 2024 at 10:16 am

    Sad. Great story though.

    Reply
    • Deborah Sale-Butler says

      September 19, 2024 at 10:58 pm

      Thank you. I’m glad it moved you.

      Reply
  2. L. J. Caporusso says

    September 19, 2024 at 10:43 am

    This really pulls the strings, Deborah. Well done 🙂

    Reply
    • Deborah Sale-Butler says

      September 19, 2024 at 10:59 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  3. Jake says

    September 19, 2024 at 11:25 am

    Wow. This is excellent and has great emotion and tells so much in so few words

    Reply
    • Deborah Sale-Butler says

      September 19, 2024 at 10:59 pm

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it.

      Reply
  4. Ed Kratz says

    September 19, 2024 at 11:53 am

    Great. Excellent way to pack a lot in 101 words.

    Reply
  5. Don says

    September 19, 2024 at 11:58 am

    I like it Deborah. A professor named Gardner at Harvard in the 80s developed his theory of Multiple Intelligencies. I could see that being used as a framework for a lot of similar type stories. Well done.

    Reply
    • Deborah Sale-Butler says

      September 19, 2024 at 11:00 pm

      Thank you for reading!

      Reply
  6. Patrick S. says

    September 19, 2024 at 3:11 pm

    Wow. Such a powerful, bittersweet story!

    Reply
    • Deborah Sale-Butler says

      September 19, 2024 at 11:01 pm

      I’m so glad it moved you.

      Reply
  7. Lisa Isaksson says

    September 23, 2024 at 11:07 am

    What a great story and a lesson too perhaps.

    Reply
  8. David Lewis says

    September 25, 2024 at 11:51 am

    A great story against eugenics. Brilliant offspring can truly be a burden, no a blessing. Well done?

    Reply
  9. Ekta Garg says

    September 25, 2024 at 7:31 pm

    This was amazing!! Well done.

    Reply
  10. David Higham says

    September 26, 2024 at 11:57 am

    You have nailed the foolishness of trying to perfect humankind. Our flaws make us human and, usually, more lovable.

    Reply
  11. Pamela Cartlidge says

    November 2, 2024 at 12:19 pm

    Thought provoking. Well done.

    Reply

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