When I was a child, I set only little fires. I built them in tuna cans, coffee cans, metal buckets. I ignited anything that would burn. Paper, twigs, dried grass, oily rags. I liked watching the changing colors of the dancing flames, how they reacted to my huffs and puffs.

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.