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Flash Fiction – The Christmas Tree

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Hugh W. Roberts

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Flash Fiction – The Christmas Tree

“Are you sure this is what you want to see?” said Michelle as she struggled to hold back the tears.

Her daughter nodded. “Don’t cry, Mummy. Look at the tree. It’s beautiful, isn’t it? You know how much I love Christmas.”

Choked, Michelle could not answer her young daughter’s question. The tears in her eyes made the lights on the Christmas tree blur into one another. Warm on her cold cheeks, they trickled towards the scarf her daughter had gifted her last Christmas.

Standing together, holding hands, Michelle made a Christmas wish that would prove the doctors’ predicament regarding her daughter’s upcoming journey into the darkness due to blindness untrue.

High up, in the skies above the Christmas tree, a shooting star ferried the wish away.

“Merry Christmas, Mummy. I love Christmas, but not as much as I love you.”

Image of a Christmas tree with a shooting star above it.
A Christmas tree that grants wishes.

Written for Esther Chilton’s writing prompt – Christmas.

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42 responses to “Flash Fiction – The Christmas Tree”

  1. D. Wallace Peach avatar
    D. Wallace Peach

    Beautiful story, Hugh. Such a pleasure to read though it made me weepy. The good weepy.

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

      That’s great feedback, thank you, Diana. I’m glad the emotion of the story came through.

      Reply
      1. D. Wallace Peach avatar
        D. Wallace Peach

        Loud and clear.

        Reply
  2. JT Twissel avatar
    JT Twissel

    Lovely Hugh. That’s what every mother loves to hear.

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

      Thank you, Jan. Yes, at any of the year.

      Reply
  3. Paul Ariss avatar
    Paul Ariss

    Weirdly, I’ve just written a 500 word story I’ve entered into a competition about a child’s sight loss. But you’ve done it beautifully in just 99 words.

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

      Great minds, Paul. Good luck in the competition. Will you publish the story on your blog once you’re allowed to? I know some competitions do not allow publication of stories before the end of a competition.

      Reply
      1. Paul Ariss avatar
        Paul Ariss

        I could do Hugh. Would people want to read a 500 word story as part of a blog?

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

          I’ve published a few longer stories on my blog and whilst they don’t get as many comments as some of my other posts, I still get some great feedback.

          Reply
  4. Janis @ RetirementallyChallenged.com avatar
    Janis @ RetirementallyChallenged.com

    Beautiful, Hugh. This is the second flash fiction I’ve read today about the magic of shooting stars. Maybe I need to look up at the sky tonight.

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

      Yes, look up and send a wish to the stars, Janis. I’m glad you enjoyed this piece of flash.

      Reply
  5. Darlene avatar
    Darlene

    What a lovely story, Hugh. Thanks for sharing it.

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

      I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for reading it, Darlene.

      Reply
  6. Erika avatar
    Erika

    Oh, Hugh, this is beautiful and you had me getting watery eyes too.

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

      I’m glad the emotion came through in the story, Erika. Thanks for letting me know. It makes me very pleased to get feedback like yours.

      Reply
      1. Erika avatar
        Erika

        My absolute pleasure! You know how and where to catch the reader, Hugh!

        Reply
  7. willowdot21 avatar
    willowdot21

    it did Hugh but that is good 💜💜💜

    Reply
  8. Esther Chilton avatar
    Esther Chilton

    What a heartfelt story, Hugh. Talk about tug at the heartstrings! So moving and we hope her Christmas wish is granted. If I may, I’ll add this to my prompts on Wednesday.

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

      Please do, Esther.

      Glad it tugged at the heartstrings. Keep a lookout for those shooting stars.

      Reply
      1. Esther Chilton avatar
        Esther Chilton

        Thank you, Hugh 🤗

        Reply
  9. willowdot21 avatar
    willowdot21

    A truly tender story Hugh …. lovely 💜💜

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

      Thanks, Willow. I hope it didn’t bring any tears.

      Reply
  10. noelleg44 avatar
    noelleg44

    Lovely, Hugh. I had to get out the Kleenex!

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

      I’m pleased to hear it, Noelle. Tears were in my eyes when I wrote that last line, too. Why do I do things like this to myself?

      Reply
      1. noelleg44 avatar
        noelleg44

        Because YOU can! And don’t stop!

        Reply

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