My Short Short for the Day

The snuffling grew louder as a large snorting beast appeared in the doorway. Noodles made eye contact and froze. The beast seemed to smile with its tongue hanging out. Its breath was strong enough to knock him over but Noodles managed to remain upright. The beast walked up and sniffed Noodles then turn to walk away. A piece of hair drifted down from the beast and settled on Noodles' head which promptly made him sneeze. The beast turned back around and stared at Noodles who was wiping his nose. The beast stepped forward and laid down so that his nose was just a smidge from Noodles' belly.

“Good boy.” Noodles said petting the snout.

The beast licked Noodles knocking him over and drenching him in slobber.

“Ewww!” Noodles tried to brush the slime off

“Hee hee hee!” The snicker came from above.

Noodles looked up to see a little green critter laughing at him. “Well, maybe if you weren't so hard to find I wouldn't have had to spend time getting to know this...smelly beast.”

“It's a dog. His name is Puggy.” Trouble smiled then whistled. The dog got up and walked to the dresser stopping directly below Trouble.

Trouble jumped down onto the dog's back and rode him over to Noodles. “Want a ride?”

My Short Short for the Day

Noodles typed rapidly on his computer. I've reached this strange planet. It took several minutes for my breathing to adapt but I'm ok now. I will begin my search soon. The beings here are huge but not invulnerable. My first mission will be to find my partner, Trouble. His last transmission was to inform me he had landed safely in the littlest beings room. I will report again once mission one is complete.

Noodles jumped off the table and ran across the carpet out of the living room. He paused for a moment looking at his two options. After some quick calculations in his head he bypassed the kitchen and headed down the hall. He skidded to a halt when a faint familiar scent tickled his nose. Trouble. He turned left and hurried through the door running directly into the littlest being. He immediately froze.

“Hey, what are you doing here?” The little girl knelt down to pick up the little toy. She looked at him and smiled, then placed him in the dollhouse. “You can go play with the dollies.”

“Honey, bath time.” The voice came from a nearby room.

“Coming Mom.” The little girl hurried out of the room.

Noodles sat up and looked around. No sign of Trouble so he climbed out of the small house and ran across the carpet. He checked in every drawer, basket, box, everything but found no sign of Trouble. Where could he be. Noodles scratched his head when he heard a loud snuffle sound coming his way. What was that?

My Short Short for the Day

“Do you want to help me with the artwork?” I asked.

“Yes!” Harley said with so much enthusiasm that she couldn't stay in her seat. She actually launched into the air and did a little dance over to the easel. She carefully selected several crayons and some paper, then returned to her table.

“Ok. Do you want to see what I've drawn so far?” I asked pulling out my sketches.

“Nope. I'm good.” She set her crayons down and focused in on the paper for the next several minutes. She sang aloud as her little fingers raced across the page.

I returned to my sketches moving at a much slower and more indecisive way. I set my pencil down and looked at the picture. Hmm? Not bad. I thought.

“Done.” Harley said sitting on the couch next to me and scooting up close. She set her picture on top of mine and smiled.

I examined it carefully and smiled. “I love it.”

Harley beamed and jumped off the couch. “Now I'm going to start on Squirrely.”

My Short Short for the Day

Halloween was finally here and the fun would now begin. Ed was so excited he could barely stay focused. He turned his attention to the fuzzy little creatures in the box.

“Not much longer my friends.” He said with a smirk. “Then you'll all be free.”

He chuckled as he loaded the last of the boxes onto his truck. He drove down the quiet street looking at all the houses filled with laughter and anticipation. Soon it would be dark and the kids would start the trek around the neighborhood begging for candy.

He remembered the thrill he got each year, making his own costume since his family couldn't afford anything so frivolous. He also remembered how hurt and disappointed he was as his father refused to let him go. “No son of mine will go begging for anything.” He'd say before taking another gulp of beer.

Ed would walked back to his room and settle in front of the window, watching the other kids hurrying up to each door until their bags were almost overflowing. The next day at school the kids would talk about their costumes and how much candy they got. Eventually they would turn to him, point and laugh.

It was the same every year. He just accepted it. Until now. Now, things would be different. Starting with his father. Ed parked on the street in front of his old house. He could hear his father inside cussing up a storm. Nothing new. Ed walked up to the front door and opened it just enough to let several of his little fuzzy friends crawl inside. Then he closed the door and started to walk slowly back to his truck. It didn't take long, the little creatures were hungry and quick. The screams filled the air but no one paid much attention. There was always yelling and screaming coming from that house.

Ed smiled and went back to his truck. He drove all the way to the end of the street where it dead-ended. Then one by one he opened the boxes and set them on the ground. Soon the street and sidewalks were covered in a black moving mass. When he finished, Ed sat down on his truck and waited. Several minutes later the screams began. Soon, all that yummy candy would finally be his.

My Short Short for the Day

Lenard Lizard skittered across the rocks. The sun was toasty warm on his skin so he paused to soak it in. Soon he felt cozy and sleepy. Just a short nap and he'd be on his way again. A shiver woke him and he looked around. The sun was setting and he knew he had slept the day away. Time to hurry on and find some food before burrowing into his hole for the night. He heard the sound of many tiny feet marching along and knew there was an ant hill nearby. The ants had often shared with him in the past so maybe today would be no different.

He hurried toward the marching sound and soon caught the tail end of the line. “Excuse me.” He said.

“Yeah?” The ant asked.

“Could you tell me where I could find some food really quick?” Lenard paused for a moment thinking fast. “I'd be happy to bring back a large portion for your colony.”

“Well...ok. We found a half of a peanut butter sandwich amongst the rocks over that way about 5000 paces...as the ant walks.” The ant said. “Split it 50/50.”

“Great! Thanks! I'll be by the hill soon.” Lenard loved peanut butter and hurried off in the direction the ant had pointed. Since his paces were much larger it took him no time at all to find the discarded sandwich. He gobbled up half the sandwich then tossed the other half on to his back. He tied a little seaweed around to hold it in place. He scurried back to the ant hill and stuffed the sandwich down the hole. With a bulging belly and a happy, sticky grin he settled into his hole for the night and closed his eyes.

My Short Short for the Day

Danny stretched up onto his tiptoes to get a better look at the yummy cake. Maybe he could stretch far enough to get a fingerful of frosting. Just a little farther. Danny stretched out his little arm and wiggled his fingers, willing the cake to move just a bit closer.

“Danny, you're not in the kitchen are you?” Mother's voice drifted in from the hallway.

“Noooo!” Danny fussed. He sulked as he walked out of the kitchen. “When's the party?”

“Not for another couple hours.” Mother smiled as she ruffled his hair.

“Oh, man! I want some cake now.” Danny dragged himself down the hall to his bedroom.

“Mom? He didn't mess up my cake did he?” Cindy asked walking into the kitchen.

“No, he can't reach it.” Mother said. “The cake is safe.”

Cindy inspected the cake thoroughly. Finally satisfied, she turned back around to see Danny in the doorway.

“What do you want?” Cindy said hands on hips.

“Cake.” Danny replied putting his hands on his hips and leaning in a bit.

“Well, you don't get any until the party.” Cindy took a step forward bending over slightly to look directly down into Danny's eyes.

“Oh, yeah?” Danny started to waver a bit.

“Yeah.” Cindy took another step and stared Danny down.

Danny stared for a moment then pouted and looked away. “Rats!” He mumbled and stalked back to his room.

My Short Short for the Day

Catta held tightly to the silky soft white fur that rolled in waves down the back of the huge beast. She laughed with abandon, squealing as the creature sprinted across the ground, devouring mile after mile without a hint of slowing down. Catta had never ridden so fast before. They had said no girl would ever ride a snow beast. She'll show them. This was the biggest snow beast ever seen and she had tamed it. Well, as much as a beast can be tamed. Now she was riding it faster than the wind. She felt so free. So wild and free. She locked her fingers around the fur and stared over the furry head of the beast, squinting as the wind whipped at her eyes. Her heart raced as the thrill coursed through her. Suddenly the beast was racing towards a cliff's edge. For a moment fear gripped her, but the ground rushed past too fast for panic to set in. The beast didn't hesitate but lowered it's head and Catta followed suit lying almost flat against its back. The beast leaped without missing a stride. They soared through the open air flying high above the land. Catta was frightened but couldn't resist a peek over the side of the beast to the far away ground below. As graceful as an doe, the beast landed and continued racing on without breaking stride. Catta's grin spread and her heart leaped forward into a thunderous noise as she sat up, gripping the fur and reveling in the rush.