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101 Word Short Stories

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Searching for Song

February 8, 2024 10 Comments

By Ian Li

Enchanted by tales of northern dragons’ beautiful singing, Ava ventured north to hear it for herself, wondering what inspires their songs.

She smiled at the sight of a mother dragon curled around her child, hoping to hear a lullaby. But both fell asleep without a sound.

She discovered a dying dragon, surrounded by sorrowful, scaly faces, and waited to hear a chorus of mourning dragons. Yet they grieved silently around the crackling funeral pyre.

Then the dragons roused, sensing Ava. As they swooped towards her with bloodthirsty gazes, they sang a haunting melody that paralyzed her—it was a hunting song.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cathryn says

    February 8, 2024 at 10:03 am

    Hello Ian,
    Excellent writing– lulling the reader with a false sense of tranquility and then thrusting the dagger home!!

    Reply
    • Ian says

      February 8, 2024 at 2:41 pm

      Hi Cathryn, thanks for the kind words!

      Reply
  2. Rudolph Ferrro says

    February 8, 2024 at 10:43 am

    Beautiful and poetic. With a daring watcher and listener. Seeing in her soul…dragons and knights in shining armor; battling each other to see who would win. And the knight did rescue the sweet, sweet damsel in distress.

    Reply
    • Ian says

      February 8, 2024 at 2:43 pm

      Thank you, Rudolph!

      Reply
  3. Russell says

    February 9, 2024 at 11:36 pm

    Ooh–did NOT see the end coming in this one. Nicely done. And as I’ve heard online … “Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.” : )

    Reply
    • Ian says

      February 11, 2024 at 7:36 pm

      Hehe, thanks Russell!

      Reply
  4. Pat R. says

    February 14, 2024 at 10:50 am

    Beautifully written, imaginative, and unique! A day in the life of dragons with a delicious twist!

    Reply
    • Ian says

      March 3, 2024 at 12:18 am

      That’s very kind, thank you, Pat!

      Reply
  5. Bud says

    February 14, 2024 at 6:29 pm

    Superbly written with fairytale qualities. Moral: Be careful of what you wish for.

    Reply
    • Ian says

      March 3, 2024 at 12:18 am

      Thank you, Bud!

      Reply

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