Category Archives: Amusing

BOB THURBER: Impressing an Old Flame at our 25th High School reunion

Amusing, Submissions, Top Stories, , ,

She said, So what do you do?

I said, I’m a pickpocket.

Seriously, she said.

I handed back her phone and wristwatch.

That’s amazing, she said.

I produced her wedding band.

She studied it a moment.

Actually, I’m recently divorced, she said.

So I returned her credit cards and cash.

Bob Thurber is the author of six books. Regarded as a master of Flash and Micro Fiction, his work has appeared in Esquire and other magazines, been anthologized 60 times, received a long list of awards, and been utilized in schools and colleges throughout the world. He resides in Massachusetts. Visit his website at BobThurber.net.

What Happens In The Box, Stays In The Box

Amusing, Submissions, , , ,

The door of the pet shop opened, and the scientist entered. Mabel shuddered. The man was a friend of the boss, but she couldn’t help wonder what happened to all the pets he bought.

As he approached, Mabel gave him her best fake smile.

“Another cat, is it, Mr Schrodinger?”

Bill lives in Aberdeen, Scotland, where he exists in a state of quantum uncertainty until such time as somebody actually reads his work.

SK CHYNOWETH: Crystal Baller

Amusing, Submissions, , ,

“What does he want?” asked the young woman suspiciously, fingering her frayed blouse.

Smoke gathered and swirled, darkening the crystal ball.

“The money!” her father cried. “It’s inside the urn!”

The old woman looked up, suppressing a smile.

“Oh, dear girl—he’s simply sending his love from the other side.”

SK Chynoweth is an aid worker by day, SFF writer by night, and parent to two vibrant kids at all times. She lives in Malaysia.

LE ANNE WELDER: Oh, So That’s Why

Amusing, Submissions, ,

What color is my mind’s eye?

Does it match the two green orbs set in their sockets to gather and compress the world down into a space the size of a round melon?

Does it blink? Obviously yes: I walk into a room, stop, wonder:

“Why am I in here?”

Le Anne likes the cozy retreat afforded by a blustery winter day, no excuse needed to spend its entirety putting thought to paper. Even the dove is snuggled in the straw under the azalea bush, eyes closed. No, slightly open…no, closed…

MICHAEL B KEANE: Like Magic

Amusing, Submissions, , ,

High in her tower, the witch wove her hands over the dark crystal globe. Smoke swirled and gathered. Her grey eyes glimmered as the image of her hungering desire took form.

A deluxe cheeseburger and cola.

The globe flashed green, and the image became an hourglass. Ten minutes, it showed.

Michael B. Keane is a London-based writer. He dabbles in poetry and short speculative fiction.

RAN WALKER: The Bibliophile

Amusing, Artistic, Submissions, , , ,

He would sometimes sleep with his books, several outlining his body, others resting beneath his pillows. He loved holding them, tracing his fingers along their covers. And while this should have been enough to inspire him to learn to read, he was content to collect them for their beauty alone.

Ran Walker is the author of twenty-three books, including The Strange Museum: 50-Word Stories. He teaches creative writing at Hampton University.

DAVID FAULKNER: Hide and Seek

Amusing, Odd, Submissions, , , ,

“I love estate sales,” my mom said.

“Me too. You find the coolest books. Like this one. It’s so old the pages are vellum!” I said, passing her the book.

“Isn’t vellum usually lamb skin?” she asked.

“Yes, why?”

“This page has a tattoo of a Navy anchor on it!”

David Faulkner is the puppet to two cats, owner of a dog, and possesses a twisted sense of humor.

CMF WRIGHT: Magic Mirror

Amusing, Submissions, , , ,

“This enchanted mirror shows your worst enemy’s secret identity,” said the sage.

The hero leaned closer.

“I’m my own worst enemy? That’s deep. Am I a split personality, or just way too self-critical—”

“…Wait.” The sage fumbled. “Wrong setting, sorry! My kids must’ve left it on ‘front camera’ again.”

C.M.F. Wright is an avid reader and sentence wrangler. Her short stories have appeared in Fifty Word Stories, Microfiction Monday, Syntax & Salt Magazine and the VSS365 Anthology. Follow her at @cmf_wright.

BOB THURBER: One Happy S.O.B. (Son Of a Blunder)

Amusing, Artistic, Submissions, , ,

My mother told me many times that I was a mistake, that if she hadn’t drank two Shirley Temples before dinner, and two glasses of wine with dinner, while on a date with the man who became my father, I’d still be dancing on a star, waiting to be born.

Bob Thurber is the author of six books. Regarded as a master of Flash and Micro Fiction, his work has appeared in Esquire and other magazines, been anthologized 60 times, received a long list of awards, and been utilized in schools and colleges throughout the world. He resides in Massachusetts. Visit his website at BobThurber.net.

CATHY BERG: Homebody

Amusing, Artistic, Submissions, , ,

As I press my nose against the windowpane wondering when it will all end, Mother Earth is hoping it never will. Empty streets and clear skies are her ventilator. She breathes a sign of relief.

After 294 days at home in sweatpants, I, too, am relieved to still be breathing.

Cathy Berg enjoys brevity, simplicity and Orange Pekoe tea.