Micro-Fiction : Really Short Stories

A Navy Veteran Friend posted this piece on his Facebook Page – sharing on my blog with his permission.

SHORT SHORT STORIES COMPILATION (Author Unknown)

_________

Some of the Shortest Stories Ever Written

1. Ernest Hemingway’s Six-Word Story
   Legend has it that Hemingway once wagered he could write a story in just six words that would outdo all others in emotional impact. He won the bet.

For sale: baby shoes, never used.

⸻

2. O. Henry’s Shortest Tale
   Winner of a contest for the shortest complete story (with setup, climax, and resolution):

The chauffeur lit a cigarette and leaned over the gas tank to see how much fuel was left. The deceased was twenty-three.

⸻

3. Fredric Brown’s Horror Masterpiece
   Often cited as the shortest horror story ever written:

The last man on Earth sat alone in a room. There was a knock on the door.

⸻

4. The British Short Story Contest
   The rules demanded mentioning God, the Queen, a hint of sex, and some element of mystery. The winner wrote:

“My God!” cried the Queen, “I’m pregnant, and I haven’t a clue who the father is!”

⸻

5. The World’s Shortest Autobiography
   In another contest, an elderly Frenchwoman submitted just one line:

“I used to have a smooth face and a wrinkled skirt; now it’s the other way around.”

⸻

Below are additional mini-stories—each under 55 words—written by various authors.

⸻

Jane Orvis, “The Window”

Ever since Rita was brutally murdered, Carter has sat at the window. No TV, no books, no letters. His entire life is framed by what he sees through the curtains. He doesn’t care who brings food or pays the bills; he never leaves the room.
Joggers pass by, seasons change, cars come and go, Rita’s ghost lingers.
Carter doesn’t realize there are no windows in a padded cell.

⸻

Larisa Kirkland, “The Proposal”

A starry night—the perfect moment. Candlelit dinner in a cozy Italian place. Little black dress. Gorgeous hair, sparkling eyes, silvery laughter. Two years together—true love, best friends, no one else. Champagne! I get on one knee. People are watching? Let them. A dazzling diamond ring. Cheeks flushing, a beaming smile.
“What? No?!”

⸻

Charles Enright, “The Ghost”

As soon as it happened, I rushed home to tell my wife the dreadful news.
But she didn’t seem to hear me. She didn’t even notice me. She gazed right through me, poured herself a drink, and turned on the TV.
The telephone rang; she picked it up.
I saw her face collapse. She burst into tears.

⸻

Andrew E. Hunt, “Gratitude”

The wool blanket he’d just received from a charity warmed his shoulders, and the boots he’d found in the dumpster that morning fit perfectly. The streetlights soothed him after the biting cold. The curve of the park bench felt so familiar to his tired back.
“Thank you, Lord,” he thought. “Life is simply wonderful.”

⸻

Brian Newell, “What the Devil Wants”

Two boys watched Satan walk away, his hypnotic gaze still clouding their minds.
“Hey, what did he want from you?”
“My soul. And you?”
“A coin for the payphone. He had to make an urgent call.”
“Wanna grab something to eat?”
“I’d like to, but he took my last cent.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve got plenty.”

⸻

Alan E. Meyer, “Bad Luck”

I woke with every part of me throbbing. A nurse stood by my bed.
“Mr. Fujima,” she said, “you’re lucky to be alive after the Hiroshima bombing two days ago. You’re in a hospital now; you’re safe.”
Barely conscious, I whispered, “Where am I?”
“Nagasaki,” she replied.

⸻

Jay Rip, “Fate”

There was only one way out. Our lives were too tangled—rage and bliss knotted together—so we left it to chance: heads, we marry; tails, we part forever.
The coin flipped, clinked, spun, and landed on heads.
We stared at it, baffled, then both asked at once:
“How about best two out of three?”

⸻

Robert Tompkins, “Seeking Truth”

At last, his search ended in a remote village. In a tattered hut by a small fire sat Truth—older and uglier than he had ever imagined.
“Are you Truth?” he asked.
She nodded.
“What should I tell the world? What’s your message?”
The crone spat into the fire and growled,
“Tell them I am young and beautiful!”

⸻

August Salemi, “Modern Medicine”

Blinding headlights, a sickening screech, pain so savage it swallowed everything…then a warm, beckoning blue light. John felt suddenly free, young, wonderfully happy as he moved toward the glow.
Darkness and agony slowly returned. His eyes fluttered open to bandages, tubes, a cast. Both legs gone. His wife was weeping.
“They saved you, darling!”

⸻

Enjoy these micro-tales for their ability to capture entire worlds of emotion in just a handful of words. Sometimes, less truly is more.

____  

This compilation of micro-fiction is also posted by me in my writing blog at URL: https://karve.wordpress.com/2025/05/20/micro-fiction-short-short-stories/

_____

Senior Citizen Humor – “Anosognosia”

Senior Citizen Humor

ANOSOGNOSIA

Story by Veteran Vikram Karve 

____

Disclaimer:

This story is a spoof, just for fun and humor, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.

____ 

ANOSOGNOSIA 

____

 Recently – I learnt a new term from “WhatsApp University”:

 “Anosognosia”

____

I saw a post on “Anosognosia” (WhatsApp Forwarded Message) on a Veterans’ Group – and – as I read the post – I realized that I had most of the symptoms of “Anosognosia”.

Initially – I got a bit worried – but – as I read on – I felt a sense of relief – as the post said that many people above 60 have some symptoms of “Anosognosia” – and – since I am approaching my 70’s – it was okay for me to have symptoms of “Anosognosia”.

As per the WhatsApp forward – the term “Anosognosia” means “temporary forgetfulness”

_____

Google, Internet Search Engines and AI Assistants may give different definitions, meanings and interpretations of the term “Anosognosia” – so – to avoid confusion – I will stick to the meaning given the WhatsApp Forward I received on a Veterans Group – that - “Anosognosia” means “Temporary Forgetfulness” 

_____

Yes – I do experience “temporary forgetfulness” quite often – ever since I became a senior citizen – and especially now – as I approach my 70’s.

I tend to forget names – sometimes I don’t remember where I had put things “carefully” – so – I have to keep searching for them – I go to a room in the house and don’t remember why I had come there – sometimes – I don’t remember a word or expression – or the name of a movie or actor – a sort of temporary blank memory – all sorts of temporary forgetfulness.

The WhatsApp post says that after 60 years – most people experience “temporary forgetfulness” – which indicates that “Anosognosia” is not a disease – but rather an age-related characteristic.

Lest one gets unduly concerned – there is a reassurance that “Anosognosia” is not Alzheimer’s – if a person is aware of his memory problems – he does not have Alzheimer’s.

Persons who are conscious of being forgetful – they have no serious problem of memory.

Those who suffer from a memory illness or Alzheimer’s – they are not aware of what is happening.

The more we are aware of our forgetfulness and temporary memory loss – the less likely we likely are to suffer from memory sickness like Alzheimer’s etc.

As a further reassurance – the WhatsApp post has three simple “neurological tests” – and – it reassures you that if you pass these three tests without difficulty – your brain is in perfect shape – despite your age.

Well – I passed the three tests with flying colours.

So – now that I am reassured that my brain is okay – let me tell you my recent experiences (and “benefits”) of “Anosognosia” – in a humorous vein.

_____

Dear Reader – have a look at our home – a traditional two-storey bungalow – built as per “Vastu Shastra” – yes – a perfectly “vastu-compliant” home. 

_____

View of our Bungalow Home : Pratap Kuti 

Selfie at our Bungalow Home

______

My “Den” is on top – on the first floor – where I spend most of time – writing – reading – relaxing – watching TV – exercising – meditating – and – I have started sleeping there too.

______ 

Can you spot me on the balcony outside my “Den”

______

My “Den” is on the first floor – it is like a spacious “studio apartment” – with a lovely east-northeast facing balcony cum terrace.

Everything else is on the ground floor below – the living room, the kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms etc – where “Better Half” rules the roost.

Being an old-style bungalow – the staircase to the top floor is quite steep with high steps.

Now – thanks to “Anosognosia” – I keep forgetting things – so – I have to go up and down the stairs very frequently.

For example – I come down – make my morning cup of tea – and sit down in the veranda for “Chota Hazri” – and decide to enjoy my morning social media browsing – when I realise that I have forgotten to get my reading glasses.

So – I have to climb up the stairs – get my reading glasses – and come down.

After my bath – I climb up to my “den” and I sit down for my writing session in front of my laptop.

I don’t remember if I have switched off the geyser – or water tank motor – or switched on the washing machine – so – down I go – and – up again.

I go down for breakfast – I can’t find my mobile – did I leave it on top – so – up I go – and down again.

I can’t find my reading glasses again – so – I search all rooms – and if I don’t find them – I have to go up and down again.

I keep forgetting things – so – it is “up and down” – “up and down” – and – I have lost count of how many times I have to go up and down the stairway.

Unlike a compact flat – which has just one entrance – our bungalow has multiple compound gates – and many doors and windows – which have to be opened and closed as per requirement – and – I keep forgetting – so – it is up and down – in and out.

“Anosognosia” ensures that you move a lot – you keep forgetting – and you keep moving – and maybe – this frequent movement is good for senior citizens – especially if it involves frequently climbing stairs.

I have never bothered about my physique or weight – but friends tell me that I seem to have lost weight and am looking fitter – and if this is indeed so – it is thanks to “Anosognosia”.

Even outdoors – “Anosognosia” ensures you make multiple trips to the market – or – to do errands – and you keep walking – since you keep forgetting.

_____

Well – Dear Friends – I am an “old” senior citizen approaching my 70’s – and I have got “Anosognosia” – and – I am making the most of it.

_____

PS:

“Better Half” keeps misplacing her “hair clips” – I call them “Khekda” aka “Crabs” (see below) – and – I have to move around searching for them.

_____ 

“Khekda” aka “Crabs” aka Hair Clips 

_____

She too keeps forgetting and misplacing things very frequently – especially her keys – her mobile phone – her chargers etc.

Wonder if she too is a victim of “Anosognosia”…?

____

Dear Reader – do you have “Anosognosia” – or have you seen persons who have it…?

____ 

Please see the “Puneri Pati” (witty signboard)

____ 

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

1. This story is a spoof, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.

2. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

3. E&OE

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved) 

____