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101 Words

101 Word Short Stories

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The Bee

October 28, 2024 8 Comments

By Mike McCarty

“Grotesque.”

Alicia spells the word correctly and smiles at the other finalist in the spelling bee at the middle school.

“Perseverance.”

Teddy spells his word properly and nods at Alicia at the adjoining lectern. Competitive streaks do not impede their friendship.

“Anonymous,” the pronouncer says.

Alicia is about to respond when Teddy whispers, “Don’t answer.”

“Why?” Alicia asks Teddy, then spells her word, “a-n-o-n-y-m-o-u-s.”

“Incorrect,” the pronouncer states and poses the word to Teddy.

Teddy clears his throat, and Alicia whispers, “Your fly is open.”

“Oh,” Teddy says. He looks down, shrugs, and spells, “a-n-o-n-y-m-o-u-s.”

“Incorrect. The next word is ‘distraction.’”

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Liz says

    October 28, 2024 at 6:38 pm

    Ha! Cute 🙂

    Reply
  2. Bud says

    October 30, 2024 at 9:29 am

    Clever. Nicely done.

    Reply
  3. Pat R. says

    October 30, 2024 at 3:27 pm

    Love, love this! So clever!

    Reply
  4. Ed Kratz says

    October 30, 2024 at 4:12 pm

    A fun read.

    Reply
  5. Charlotte E Bennardo says

    October 30, 2024 at 7:25 pm

    lol!

    Reply
  6. Em says

    November 1, 2024 at 12:42 pm

    Sorry–I’m missing the joke! Could someone explain it to me?

    Reply
    • Pamela Cartlidge says

      November 2, 2024 at 1:08 pm

      me too.

      Reply
    • Alastair Millar says

      November 3, 2024 at 9:25 am

      Because “Why?” = Y and “Oh” = O, so both are judged to have used one letter too many. Tit for tat.

      Reply

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