Secret Of The Stones

June 6, 2022, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that features stone-stacking. How does the activity fit into a story? Who is involved? What is the tone? Do the stones have special meaning? Go where the prompt leads! Click here for details.


Secret Of The Stones – by Hugh W. Roberts

“These stacked stones are where I buried Fluffy.

When I cried, Fluffy comforted me.

When I had nobody to talk to, Fluffy would always listen.

He was a big part of my life, but he shouldn’t have told me to keep our secret.

Things got a bit out of hand when I told my teacher, Mrs Price, the secret.

Fluffy got angry, so I had to kill him.

Now I come to the stacked stones and talk to him every day.

It’s a good job. Fluffy is only an imaginary friend; otherwise, we’d both be in lots of trouble.”

***

Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch.

***


Enjoyed this piece of flash fiction? Then you’ll love ‘Glimpses.’

***

Glimpses

28 short stories and pieces of flash fiction take the reader on a rollercoaster of twists and turns.

Available on Amazon

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Kindle – £0.99

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43 responses to “Secret Of The Stones”

  1. Will avatar

    btw, I’m reading your tags to make mine better. Hope you don’t mind.

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Not at all, Will. I’m always happy to help.

  2. Will avatar

    Just bought Glimpses. Looking forward to a collection of your stories!!

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Will, thank you so much for buying my first book of a collection of flash fiction and short stories. I hope you enjoy it, especially the story about the group of bloggers who discover a killer app. Happy reading.

  3. Janis @ RetirementallyChallenged.com avatar

    Fun twist… I hope you don’t end up in imaginary prison for a fake murder :)

  4. Judith Barrow avatar

    Really must try this exercise,Hugh.Unfortunately this story brought back a memory,both sad and silly,in equal measures. I had a rabbit who died when I was ten.My father said it was because I’d given her wet dandelion leaves.Unbelievably, I believed him, and felt guilty for years – until David, husband ,pointed out the obvious…wild rabbits eat wet dandelion leaves….

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      What a horrible thing your father told you, Judith. I had a pet rabbit too, but I can’t remember what happened to it. My biggest claim to fame, though, is a goldfish called Syliva. I had her for 26 years. It was like the end of the world for me when she passed away.

      The 99-word flash fiction challenge at the Carrot Ranch is something I enjoy a lot. It’s my favourite writing challenge. Because you only have 99 words to tell a story, it makes you think about all the words you’re using. I hope you’ll be able to join sometime. There is a lovely bunch of writers who participate every week.

  5. Terri Webster Schrandt avatar

    I suppose dead imaginary friends should have a stone memorial, Hugh! I thought Fluffy was a furbaby of some kind. Fun read with your usual twist!

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      It’s interesting hearing what readers think Fluffy is, Terri and what they feel about the story as a whole.

  6. Liesbet @ Roaming About avatar

    I really like this one, Hugh. Truly a nice twist, as I thought you were on the murder path again. :) You must be getting good at keeping it at 99 words with all this practice. Is it getting easier? Do you have a good feel of how long the flash fiction stories can/should be?

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Thanks, Liesbet.

      The 99-word flash fiction challenge has become my favourite writing challenge. Flash fiction has grown on me, although I wouldn’t say it has gotten easier to write. But it is something I always enjoy writing. Sometimes, I’m at a loss for what to write. It all depends on the prompt.

      From what I have been told, flash fiction can be a story of up to 1,000 words. However, I have also heard some people say anything up to 2,500 words. It depends on who is telling you. I think once a piece of fiction exceeds 1,000 words, it becomes a short story.

  7. willowdot21 avatar

    I love this Hugh…. Though sometimes I worry about you 😜😜😜

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Glad you liked it, Willow. The dark side of my creative mind won again.

      1. willowdot21 avatar

        Lol it often does God loves you💜💜💜

    2. Gary A Wilson avatar

      LOLOLOLOL . . . .

  8. noelleg44 avatar

    Good grief, Hugh, I was thinking Fluffy was a cat!

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      I’m glad you thought fluffy was an animal, Noelle. I wonder how many people have the nickname Fluffy?

  9. Erika avatar

    Let’s hope he was an imaginary friend 😱

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Exactly, Erika. And if Fluffy was not imaginary, I wonder what secret he had with the storyteller?

      1. Erika avatar

        Which way ever, there would be “corpses in the cellar.”

  10. Sadje avatar

    Such a sweet story.

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      That’s interesting how you say you found this story sweet. I’m interested to see what other readers say.

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