March 4, 2021, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that includes sweet potatoes. It can be part of a recipe, meal, or used as a nickname. Where do sweet potatoes take you? The grocery store? The garden? Mars? Go where the prompt leads!


The Potato Thief – by Hugh W. Roberts

He should never have stolen my home-grown, sweet potatoes.

He may have been an enthusiastic, good-looking man, but just because I gave him some, he had no right coming back in the dead of night to help himself to me and more potatoes.

Furious, I ended up hitting him over the head with the shovel and burying his body under the sweet potato patch. Boy, did it make them taste even sweeter; until the day forensics arrived and dug up the patch.

Still, at least I get to make sweet potato mash for all the boys here in prison.

***

Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch. Click here to join in.

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51 responses to “The Potato Thief #flashfiction”

  1. Norah avatar

    I think that thief had it coming to him.

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  4. Charli Mills avatar

    That’s some dark soil in the sweet potato patch. Like a good sweet potato mash you have all the right ingredients for a masterful story, Hugh.

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      That’s a lovely compliment about my story, Charli. For days, I was stumped about what to write, but then I saw my partner gardening…

  5. Terri Webster Schrandt avatar

    Not sure if I’ll look at potatoes the same way again, Hugh, but this was fun and engaging, with the “Hugh twist” of course! :)

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Took me a while to come up with something for the prompt, Terri. It was only when I saw my partner doing a spot of early spring gardening that the story came to me. Thanks for the feedback on it being fun and engaging.

  6. D. Avery @shiftnshake avatar

    A man’s got to do what a man’s got to do, got to protect the sweet potato patch. I’m surprised there was a conviction, pretty sure there’s a couple of states in the States that have “stand your ground” laws for this sort of thing.

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Maybe he was refused bail and is in prison while the case is investigated?

  7. Jacquie Biggar avatar

    I love sweet potatoes, too, but I don’t think I’d kill for them, lol. Fun one, Hugh :)

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      No, me neither, Jacquie.

  8. willowdot21 avatar

    Lol Hugh, this is amazingly good!💜💜💜

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Thank you, Willow. I’m glad you think so.

      1. willowdot21 avatar

        I do 😯💜💜💜

  9. Jim Borden avatar

    when life gives you sweet potatoes, make sweet potato mash…

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Yes, but only because it makes them taste better.

  10. JT Twissel avatar

    LOL- It’s always good to have a skill in prison!

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Absolutely…so I’m told. Gulp*

  11. Dan Antion avatar

    That’s a great story, Hugh. That’ll teach him.

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Thanks, Dan. I agree with what you say about teaching that guy a lesson.

  12. Erika avatar

    That is what I call “seeing the glass half full” 😂

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Your comment made me laugh out loud, Erika. You’re so right.

      1. Erika avatar

        You had me bursting 😂😂

  13. Aimer Boyz avatar
    Aimer Boyz

    LOL! Revenge is best served with sweet potato :)

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      I agree. I’ve never liked sweet potatoes.

      1. Aimer Boyz avatar
        Aimer Boyz

        Neither have I. Orange? Please :)

        1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

          They’re rather nice when cut thinly, fried (or baked) and turned into crisps, though.

  14. Sadje avatar

    Haha! Poor guy!

      1. Sadje avatar

        Buried under the sweet potatoes

        1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

          Interesting. As I wrote the piece, I felt more sorry for the other guy.

          1. Sadje avatar

            You’ve created both the characters!

  15. Esther Chilton avatar
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      I really struggled with this one until I saw my partner gardening, Esther.

      1. Esther Chilton avatar

        It always helps to have a prompt. Though I’m glad you didn’t do away with your partner!

        1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

          The blueberries in our garden are going to be so sweet this summer, Esther 😂

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