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Flash Fiction Friday – How To Take A Long Break

Published by

Hugh W. Roberts

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January 2, 2023, prompt: Write a story about a sabbatical in 99 words (no more, no less). Who needs one or has had one? What kind of tension could a rest create? Where can a break take your story? Go where the prompt leads! Click here for details.

How To Take A Long Break – by Hugh W. Roberts

Some think I have one of the most straightforward jobs in the world. It may look like that, but I still need a sabbatical.

Some think my job is one of the toughest, so I deserve a sabbatical.

Rain, shine, blizzards or gales, I have to do my job. I pledged that I’d never let anyone down. Some think I have too many days off, but people need to learn what goes on behind closed doors.

What’s the best thing about my job? Tearing the date ‘December 24th’ off the calendar and starting my sabbatical for another 364 days.

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

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

***

32 short stories and flash fiction pieces take the reader to the edge of their imagination.

More Glimpses

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29 responses to “Flash Fiction Friday – How To Take A Long Break”

  1. Did You Miss Any Of These blog posts? Monthly Round-Up - January 2023 avatar
    Did You Miss Any Of These blog posts? Monthly Round-Up – January 2023

    […] Flash Fiction Friday – How To Take A Long Break […]

    Reply
  2. D. Wallace Peach avatar
    D. Wallace Peach

    Great story. He deserves the sabbatical after that 24 hours!

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      I agree. And I always take one, Diana.

      Reply
  3. Norah avatar
    Norah

    Imagine having your work year over in one day. Imagine having to get all your work done in one day. No thanks.
    Great flash though.

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Thanks, Norah. But imagine having 364 days a year with hardly any work at all. Thank goodness for retirement, but I don’t think Santa will ever get to retirement age.

      Reply
      1. Norah avatar
        Norah

        Retirement!! I think I’m like Santa – I’ll never be old enough. :)

        Reply
  4. Brenda avatar
    Brenda

    Loved this Hugh.

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Thanks, Brenda.

      Reply
  5. Linda Schaub avatar
    Linda Schaub

    Santa works hard as do those reindeer pulling him around the world. The reward, besides a sabbatical the rest of the year, is all the cookies and milk you can down. Burp.

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      And not forgetting the carrots for the reindeers, Linda.

      Reply
  6. Eugenia avatar
    Eugenia

    Santa deserves a break because he works hard that one day a year. Imagine flying around the world on a sleigh trying to be sure the gifts are delivered promptly and to the right address. Whew!

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      I know, right. It’s a tough job to do. And I should know because I have the job.

      Reply
      1. Eugenia avatar
        Eugenia

        Aha! Let me give you my Christmas for next year!😄

        Reply
  7. Judith Barrow avatar
    Judith Barrow

    I enjoyed this, Hugh. I also read Charli’s post. It made me reflect, I must admit.

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Thank you, Judith. Yes, Charli’s post is very reflective. There is a lot in it which I’m sure many of us can learn by.

      Reply
      1. Judith Barrow avatar
        Judith Barrow

        The bravery in moving on, Hugh, Sometimes… most times, for me, I’ve held on to the familiar.

        Reply
        1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
          Hugh W. Roberts

          The fear of change is something I lived with for a very long time, Judith. Taking those new steps can be challenging, but when I realised that taking them opened so many new doors, I wondered why I’d feared change so much.

          Reply
  8. Terri Webster Schrandt avatar
    Terri Webster Schrandt

    Santa obviously needs the rest after all the admin work he does behind the scenes, Hugh! What a sabbatical and the perfect story for the prompt!

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Thanks, Terri. I think Santa deserves the most extended break of all. After all, he’s what keeps me going throughout the rest of the year. Only another 351 sleeps until he’s working again.

      Reply
  9. willowdot21 avatar
    willowdot21

    Even Santa gets to get a break!

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      A 364-day break.

      Reply
      1. willowdot21 avatar
        willowdot21

        Why not …. The fact is he works all year round making presents, reading letters and these days texts and of course he has to cope with gnomes and elves wanting to work from home and keep connected by zoom!

        Reply
        1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
          Hugh W. Roberts

          Food for thought, although I thought his elves did all those jobs for him.

          Reply
          1. willowdot21 avatar
            willowdot21

            Well that’s just it Hugh that’s all false news spread by the elves to put themselves in a better light!

            Reply
  10. Liesbet @ Roaming About avatar
    Liesbet @ Roaming About

    Good one, Hugh. And very timely. It certainly is a fun job, that one day of the year. :-)

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Thank you. I’ve never seen Santa stressed, so I’m guessing you’re right about it being a fun job, Liesbet.

      Reply
  11. Michelle (Boomer Eco Crusader) avatar
    Michelle (Boomer Eco Crusader)

    I love this! Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a job where you only worked one day a year? I think I need a sabbatical. Have a great weekend Hugh.

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Thank you, Michelle. Yes, one day a year. I’m not sure if it’s a job for me, though. I’m not a lover of heights.
      You too. Have a great weekend.

      Reply
      1. Michelle (Boomer Eco Crusader) avatar
        Michelle (Boomer Eco Crusader)

        Good point. I’m petrified of heights too! See…even the best gigs have a downside. LOL

        Reply

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