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101 Word Short Stories

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The Scarecrow

March 7, 2026 6 Comments

By Lee Nicholas

“Why won’t you talk today, Mr. Scarecrow?” asked Emily.

The scarecrow didn’t move—he just remained slumped against the old elm.

When she found him three days ago, tied there with wire around his neck and arms, he was quite chatty, sobbing as he begged her to fetch help.

Emily had giggled. He was funny, mumbling away in a silly voice.

But yesterday, he only pleaded for water.

Boring. He didn’t even want to talk anymore about the men who left him there.

And today, he said nothing at all. Not even “please.”

Emily skipped off to find a new friend.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. D.C. Huffman says

    March 7, 2026 at 2:27 pm

    Spooky! Loved it!

    Reply
  2. Nefritka says

    March 10, 2026 at 5:31 pm

    Beautifully twisted. Exactly my kind of bedtime story.

    Reply
  3. Bud Pharo says

    March 11, 2026 at 11:37 am

    That story says so much about self-involvement and entertainment at the expense of others. Nicely done!

    Reply
  4. Ramona Taylor says

    March 11, 2026 at 1:59 pm

    Incrediblely chilling.

    Reply
  5. JRRoth says

    March 12, 2026 at 1:17 pm

    Me: Yay, a cute story.

    Story: Wire around his neck in arms…

    Me: Ooh, this is gonna get good!

    Wonderfully sick story. Well done!

    Reply
  6. Sami says

    March 19, 2026 at 9:16 pm

    Such smooth impact! Beautiful.

    Reply

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