Category Archives: 1. 100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups #100WCGU

One bright candle lights the darkness… Another flickers to life followed by another. As the numbers grow, the glow lights a myriad of young faces.

One voice, then another as the chorus begins. Parents look on in awe, never before seeing the beauty of their children in such a way. Some shed tears… but not of sadness, of joy.

The sound of a hundred young voices fills the air, building to a crescendo. As the voices grow softer, one by one flames are snuffed until one remains.

There is silence.

Together the flames brought light to the dark. Together, their voices brought joy.

Schools and students have permission to use this graphic for non-commercial, educational purposes.

The elders gathered the clan together, “Kinfolk, the line was drawn on the Field of Time. Who will shape the future?”

“I choose,” a small voice was heard.

The folk separated to show the owner of the voice.

“Isabeau, no! You’re too young,” her frightened mother warned.

An elder scolded, “All in the clan may choose. Step forward and cross the line.”

Isabeau crossed and vanished.

A great light from the heavens lighted the sky of a blue planet. The light struck with great force. The prophecy was fulfilled. The Age of Dinosaurs had to end to make way for those who would come.

“The rain turned the road into a river. The river became a lake. The lake became a sea. The sea became an ocean. Finally, the last of the land disappeared below the waters in the great deluge,” it was explained.

The children listened intently to the words, their minds unquestioning, except one, “Where did all the water come from?”

“The clouds, now be still and listen,” came the reply. “All were safe in the Ark, Noah, his family and two of all the animals.”

Again a question, “How could all the world’s animals fit into one boat?”

“Stop asking stupid questions or you’ll amount to nothing, Albert Einstein.”

Murray was about to serve for the championship when the only sound to be heard was that of the veritable pin. I sat transfixed by the scene on the wide screen television I had bought just for the tennis. Even from my seat I could feel the tension in the air.

“Mum!” came a call from the next room. “Come and look!”

“Not now! What are they up to?” I mumbled as I rushed to the call.

“I painted Sophie,” Josh announced.

“Pretty!” giggled Sophie.

I rushed to grab the camera. Sophie was painted from head to toe. Both were giggling.

Tennis could wait for the replay. This was priceless.

“Did you eat the cream cakes I just made?”

I had to think quickly. I blamed it on the dog. I know I shouldn’t have but mum had just made the most delicious looking cream cakes.

Mum looked at our dog, “Who ate the cakes, boy?”

As quick as a flash, the dog took the pose my dad had trained him to do when out looking for animals to photograph. He pointed at me.

“He’s lying, mum.”

Did our dog smile?

“Then why do you have cream on your chin?”

“Uhh… the dog licked me afterwards.”

Mum didn’t believe me. I swear the dog was smiling.

What were they thinking? It’s gaudy, ugly, out of place. It’s… brilliant.

I see their point. Had this been just another small place to refuel, we would pass it by without much thought, only stopping if we needed to refill, but it’s gaudy red and white would attract the curious, particularly families.

I can imagine passing families being halted by children insisting on having the car refilled by the teapot. Curious eyes would be peeking inside to see what fairy tale characters might lurk within.

It’s far better to be noticed as gaudy than not to be noticed at all.

In the dark recesses of my mind an idea formed. I had a goal. I thought I had the solution. I might be six, but don’t underestimate my cunning.

I practised what I would say. I knew I had to be a good actor to carry it off or my plan wouldn’t work.

I needed to build my courage to face the foe and achieve my goal. It was time.

“Mum…”

“Hello sweetie, would you like a piece of the cake I baked?”

My jaw dropped in surprise, “Yes, please.”

How did she know what I wanted? She can read minds. It must be a mum thing.

“There’s a real buzz about this place,” Zoe warned.

At first Myles thought she meant this was a place where much was happening but it was true, there was a faint buzz. The sound seemed to be everywhere.

Somewhere far above, probing eyes looked down, “I’ll need to reset. They almost discovered the truth.”

For just an instant, Myles and Zoe’s world ceased to exist then reappeared but they didn’t sense it. They did realise there was no longer a buzz.

A thought again from above, “The people in this 3D Virtual World Sims version are the most realistic yet.”

 
When people cheered the new crowned queen,
Her beauty, her majesty, few had seen.
T’was on that day we pledged out troth,
To share our lives we promised, both.
 
Many years have passed and time has come,
A time so rarely seen ‘cept by some,
They speak of the Diamond Jubilee,
Our Diamond too, for her and me.
 
The years have passed though hair is grey,
I turn to her to have my say.
She hushes me and holds me tight,
We see each other as on first night.
 
The Queen of Diamonds has her day,
For us we’d have it no other way.
 

The flame flickered before me. My grandchild sleeps in my arms. Candlelight sets the mood, a time to reflect. Just a moment in time, lost in distant memories.

Memories return of my children once so small. The many joys we had, the fears we faced. Now grown, the house sits lonely but for the times my grandchildren stay. No longer young of body but young of mind, I enjoy this moment.

She stirs and smiles, “Nana?”

Gently stroking her hair, “Yes, sweetheart.”

As she snuggled closer I thought, “One more treasured moment.”

The flame flickered before me, a treasured memory added. Life is good.

Schools and students have permission to use this graphic for non-commercial, educational purposes.