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101 Words

101 Word Short Stories

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The Beneficiary

August 22, 2023 14 Comments

By Sivan Pillai

While the gatekeeper checked my deeds as an earthling, I was allowed to observe what was happening in my former home.

There was a crowd around my body. With the lavish makeup, I looked younger and more handsome. My children, who had left me alone when I longed for their company, were standing in a loose group, shedding tears. Those who had borrowed money from me were happy they wouldn’t have to repay.

My housemaid, who had looked after me well, was weeping silently, away from the others.

When my will is read, she’ll learn she never has to work again.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Richard Bishop says

    August 22, 2023 at 8:04 am

    nice work

    Reply
  2. Liz says

    August 22, 2023 at 9:59 am

    Simple. Well written. Delightful!

    Reply
  3. Tom says

    August 22, 2023 at 8:52 pm

    Beautifully done, with a great last line!

    Reply
  4. Dhananjay Bapat says

    August 22, 2023 at 11:47 pm

    Years of multiple relationships captured in so few words! Nicely written!!

    Reply
  5. Sivan Pillai says

    August 23, 2023 at 4:39 am

    Thank you all for your kind words.

    Reply
  6. David Higham says

    August 23, 2023 at 7:23 am

    Very neatly done. Great example of very short fiction.

    Reply
  7. Bud says

    August 23, 2023 at 8:33 am

    Very nicely done. I liked the moral: kindness can be rewarding in more ways than one.

    Reply
  8. Sivan Pillai says

    August 23, 2023 at 10:35 am

    Thank you, David and Bud for your kind comments.

    Reply
  9. Lon Richardson says

    August 23, 2023 at 11:20 am

    So much packed into so few words; an excellent example of flash fiction.

    Reply
  10. Anne Jones says

    August 24, 2023 at 7:03 am

    I loved this story so true of many family situations. So well told. Thank you

    Reply
  11. Sivan Pillai says

    August 26, 2023 at 4:28 am

    Thank you, Lon and Anne, for your kind words.

    Reply
  12. Chris Madero says

    September 3, 2023 at 11:52 pm

    Beautiful. I loved it. Good for the maid!

    Reply
    • Sivan Pillai says

      September 5, 2023 at 12:56 am

      Thank you, Chris.

      Reply
  13. Kelly Louisa Balliu says

    September 15, 2023 at 5:15 am

    Well done 🙂

    Reply

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