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101 Word Short Stories

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Skipping Stones

February 5, 2024 6 Comments

By Chris Lihou

It is a warm, windless summer evening. High tide, water’s surface waveless, calm, reflective. Sounding a gentle wish-wash at the shoreline. John is at the water’s edge picking up skipping stones.

For his first throw, he says, “This is for you, Mum.” The stone skips five times.

“This is for you, sweetheart.” His wife. Stone skips four times.

“This is for you, Dad.” Skips twice.

“This is for you, Mellissa.” His first love. Skips seven times.

For his final stone, he says, “And, this one is for me.” Skips once.

John wonders if he’s discovered a new tool for measuring love.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cathryn says

    February 5, 2024 at 10:47 am

    Hello Chris,
    Kudos! John’s subconscious revealed in 101 words. The protagonist might want to crack out the Ouija Board.

    Reply
  2. Toni Brayer says

    February 7, 2024 at 11:23 am

    Very sweet.

    Reply
  3. RC says

    February 7, 2024 at 6:55 pm

    I love this. It’s deceptively profound, and–what’s impressive for a 101-word story–I got even more out of it on a second read. Very well done. Thank you for sharing this with the world 🙂

    Reply
  4. K F Lerner says

    February 8, 2024 at 10:04 am

    Well done.

    Reply
  5. Marie says

    February 9, 2024 at 1:13 pm

    Wow, loved it!

    Reply
  6. Lisa Braithwaite says

    February 11, 2024 at 5:59 pm

    Wow, this is deep! Loved it!

    Reply

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