Win Cash Prizes & Get Professional Feedback @ Flash Fiction Magazine
Learn More
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

101 Words

101 Word Short Stories

  • Subscribe
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Volunteer

Stay!

May 21, 2024 13 Comments

By Susan Israel

My last person didn’t stay. He always petted me and said, “Good boy.” One day he didn’t say anything. I nudged. I barked. I licked his face: Cold. Silent.

Strangers came and took him away. I was stuck in a cage. Nothing looked like where I’d been, where I had a yard, toys, and a person who loved me.

Then a woman came for me. I smelled her sadness, like a poorly buried bone.

I nestled closer and kissed her. I sat on her and felt her heartbeat.

I loved her.

She stroked me and smiled.

I want her to stay!

Share this:

  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • More
  • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram
  • Share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest

The Power of Imagery with Nina Schuyler

September 12 & 13 on Zoom
Enrollment closes Thursday, September 3 at 7:00 PM Pacific

If your descriptions are vivid but your stories still feel thin, this workshop is for you.

Join award-winning author Nina Schuyler to learn the difference between description, which tells a reader what things look like, and imagery, which carries plot, character, and meaning at the same time.

In just two days, you'll learn to choose images that hold emotion without naming it, pair them so each one deepens the other, and build patterns that gather meaning as the story moves.

Learn More and Enroll

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mary Anne Gorman says

    May 21, 2024 at 7:25 am

    Susan, you have captured the pure love that we can receive from our pets. Love the story and your writing is excellent.

    Reply
    • Dart humeston says

      May 21, 2024 at 7:31 am

      Great story!

      Reply
  2. Vivian says

    May 21, 2024 at 7:50 am

    Sweet

    Reply
  3. Daniel Hassan says

    May 21, 2024 at 7:55 am

    This is a touching story about loss, and moving on. I enjoyed reading it. Well done.

    Reply
  4. Tim Goldstone says

    May 21, 2024 at 9:34 am

    Nicely done. Loved “I smelled her sadness, like a poorly buried bone.”

    Reply
  5. Bill G. says

    May 21, 2024 at 12:03 pm

    Lovely!

    Reply
  6. Scott Bogart says

    May 21, 2024 at 2:12 pm

    Susan,
    Wow! This is a good one. Perfectly succinct. Put a gulp in my throat. The title is perfect as well.

    Kudos,
    Scott

    Reply
  7. Susan I. says

    May 21, 2024 at 8:32 pm

    Thank you all so much. I’m glad you loved my story.

    Reply
  8. Dan Graves says

    May 22, 2024 at 7:39 am

    I like the reversal of the command so often given to dogs.

    Reply
  9. Cathryn says

    May 22, 2024 at 8:56 am

    Hello Susan ,
    Perfect! I agree with all commenter’s. Well done.

    Reply
  10. Pat R. says

    May 23, 2024 at 11:58 am

    Such a beautiful story! It made me smile throughout! Well done!

    Reply
  11. lesley bungay says

    May 25, 2024 at 2:47 am

    Clever title and beautifully written. Brought a tear to my eye

    Reply
  12. Elizabeth says

    May 30, 2024 at 10:35 am

    Beautiful!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Search Stories

The end.