imported_BrianW

I recently read about a challenge between Asimov and Clarke to write Science Fiction stories that would fit on a postcard. I decided to take up the challenge myself and came up with the following:

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Another Mother

By Brian Wells

He had been the boy’s mother so long, he had forgotten what it was like to be himself. Nevertheless, it was time the boy knew the truth.

“Nathan, there’s something you must know.” Nathan, now sixteen, sat down to listen to his mother. “Nathan, do you remember when your family helped colonize Proxima 4? You were six at the time.”

Nathan nodded.

“Well, I have good news, and bad news. When your mother was gathering mineral samples, she encountered the dominant intelligent species on that planet, and there was a terrible accident.”

“But… you’re my mother.” Nathan was understandably confused.

“No, tragically, your mother is dead. I’ve been assigned the task of assuming your mother’s form to spare you the grief of her loss and, I fear, to assuage our guilt over her demise.” He assumed his natural, alien state before Nathan’s eyes.

Nathan was on the verge of tears. “You said you had good news?”

“Please understand, when we encountered your mother, we had no idea she was a member of an intelligent species. Had we known, things would have gone much differently.”

“So what’s the good news?”

“She tasted like chicken.”

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Anyone else want to give it a try?

Mark Giles

Under 300 words huh? Ok, I'll give it a shot....





Once upon a time, there were some mischievous kids looking to have some fun. They came upon an overpass and decided to throw rocks at cars passing underneath. They were all terrible aim because they spent time causing trouble around town instead of attending gym class.

After several attempts of throwing the rocks and only being successful a few times, one of the kids thought of an excellent idea. They would go find a long rope and tie something heavy to the end of it. Then as a car passed under, they would throw the heavy object down and if they missed, they could simply pull it back up.

Shortly later, one of the kids returned with a long rope and a brick. After tying the end of the rope to the brick, they waited until the next car passed under, and BINGO! It was a perfect hit! The car swerved finally coming to rest in a ditch.

After all of the commotion died down, the kids decided to give it another try. This time a large semi passed below. As the next kid dropped the brick, it broke through the windshield of the semi, and barely missed the driver. The kid, on the other hand, had the rope tied around his arm much to tight, resulting to the momentum from the semi causing the kids arm to be ripped right off!!

A car passing close by, saw the arm dangling from the semi and called the police from their cellular phone. Within minutes the police pulled the semi over, ordered the driver of the semi out of the car telling him, “YOU ARE UNDER ARREST!!” The driver of the semi said, “Why?? What are the charges officer?” The policeman snapped the handcuffs on him and said, “Armed Robbery”.

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I wish I could take the credit for coming up with the story

Nathan Eddy

That's not science fiction.

Brian, I thought your story good. It sucked me right in with the first sentence, the whole he/mother thing, and I instantly knew I was in a place that wasn't quite right.

I was, however, disappointed that it ended as a joke. It's easy to write a joke less than 300. A story, on the other hand, now that's a challenge.

It's a slow day at work. Maybe I'll give it a try.

Bryce_H

Once upon a time they lived happily ever after.

Nine words

I reject your reality and substitute my own. - Adam Savage

imported_BrianW

Yeah, I get that a lot.

Garrett Lundy

I now present a mystery novel containing royal intrigue, sex & religion in only 14 words.


"My God, I'm pregnant!" said the Queen. "I wonder who the father could be?"

"Did you know that more people are murdered at 92 degrees Fahrenheit than any other temperature? I read an article once. Lower temperatures, people are easy-going, over 92 and it's too hot to move, but just 92, people get irritable."

Paul Bond

I can't remember who it was, but it seems it was a well-known Science Fiction writer who penned this short-short story:

The last person on Earth sat in his room. There was a knock on the door.


Bond. Paul Bond.

Ricardo C

Man, an hour wasted on this sig! Thanks, Toshiba! :p

Walter Kittel

Cees Alons

You beat me to it, Walter. And I was thinking of him too.


Cees