Category Archives: 100 Word Challenge

100 Word Challenge

It Wasn’t My Fault

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To understand the point of this post, First look at the ‘100 word challenge’ here
(if you haven’t already) where you will find an explanation of the prompt,
and also a list of links to other responses. 

An explosion  shook the ground outside the main factory. A cast-iron manhole cover rose smartly, yet gracefully, into the air as if it had been a champagne cork, described a perfect arc, and descended onto the tailboard of a nearby dray, smashing it in half. The driver of the dray came close to spontaneous evacuation of the bowels.

In synchronism with further bangs, several more iron lids followed suit in the ensuing seconds. On a hunch, a supervisor walked round to the rear of the plant, where an analytical chemist, holding a carboy over a gulley, looked up.

“It wasn’t my fault!” he said…

Believe it or not, this account is substantially true. I have added a little colour – only a little – for which there is no extra charge. The story was told to me by a much older employee of the company for which I worked for a time (my first job) who remembered the incident. The son of the chemist worked in the same department as I did!

Linked to #chucklemums 19 July 2016.

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100 Word Challenge

A Platinum Jubilee?

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This week, our ‘100 Word Challenge’ which you will find explained here, along with
links to all the responses, is to write a piece including the word ‘Wednesday’
along with a further 100 words. 

Today is the sixtieth anniversary of The Queen’s accession. But there is another anniversary, in August this year, that is noteworthy.

Seventy years ago, as part of Operation Pedestal, the American tanker SS Ohio entered Valletta Harbour, Malta. Badly crippled and assisted by two other ships, she had brought  fuel oil and kerosene to the island whose people had shown tremendous courage.

On Wednesday, 15th August, 2012, let’s remember the brave men of the Ohio and all who served in that operation, which had great strategic implications. Their platinum medal should be in our hearts.

To all of them: THANK YOU.

All of you who are interested should look up more of the history of the
incredible achievement that was ‘Operation Pedestal.’ 

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100 Word Challenge

You Bought Her What?

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If you haven’t already done so, then please read the ‘100 word challenge’ prompt for this
post here, where you can also find links to other responses to it. And then read on.

“You and Sal going to come to the party, then, Geoff?”
“Hey, is that an official invite? To what do we owe the pleasure?”
“Anna’s twenty-first.”
“Help! What you bought her, then?”
“A piece of corundum.”
“You bought her WHAT?”
“You heard. And yes, it’s what she asked for.”
“But… hang on… that’s what they call that stuff we use in the polishing shop…”
“That’s right. So, are you coming, or not?”
“Too right, we’re coming. I can’t wait to see this.”

***

“… And this lovely girl – Anna here – has said she’ll marry me.”

On Anna’s finger was a beautiful, pink sapphire, engagement ring.

Mummascribbles

Mumzilla
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100 Word Challenge

Critique: ‘Translation Issues’

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If you first of all look at our ‘100 Word Challenge’ prompt here, you’ll see we are to compose a critique of any entry from the previous week.

This is a late entry this week. Serves me right for bragging about being quick off the mark last time! I could (truthfully) make excuses about duty calling, but the real reason is that I found this challenge the most daunting yet, calling, as it does, for honesty, generosity, and constructive suggestion. When we write, we expose a part of ourselves, in some sense, to others. I am reminded of the words of the poet, W. B. Yeats: 

“I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.”

After some consideration, I selected the contribution of ‘Taochild’ here.

This response to the challenge is ingenious. It is a story, written in the first person, which meets the criteria given. But it is so much more than that. It sets out, so beautifully, a moral issue, namely, that honesty, openness, and sincerity count for much more than linguistic accuracy, especially if the latter is accompanied by overbearing haughtiness. This is done in a clear and humorous way, by comparison and contrast across the Atlantic Ocean.
If I might make one constructive suggestion, impact could be added by giving emphasis to the last word, perhaps with an ellipsis:

said… ‘ALUMINUM!’

I hope I have been fair, and trodden softly.

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100 Word Challenge

An Unplanned Descent

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This post was prompted by the ‘100 Word Challenge’ here, which requires the
five words shown in bold print to be used along with 100 further words.

The view from the aeroplane portholes was magnificent – an intense blue sky, and below us, mountains and the ocean, aquamarine.

Then – a sudden silence…

The loudspeakers crackled into life.
“This is your captain speaking. We have a small problem. All four engines have stopped.”

Passengers looked at one another, aghast. The ocean seemed gradually closer – telling us that the crew had acted quickly to put the aircraft into a controlled descent.

Then, after fifteen minutes, came a roar as first one, then another engine restarted, closely followed by the other two.

 Never was that roar more welcome. Our captain deserved – and finally, got – an award.

This account is based on what actually happened to flight BA009
from Kuala Lumpur on the 24th of June, 1982.

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100 Word Challenge

A Happy Ending

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To understand the idea of this post, look here at the prompt (a photo) for the ‘100 word challenge’ –  complete with explanation – if you haven’t already done so. Then come back.

When we heard about this, my mates said I would be a – what is it you say? – ‘spoilsport!’ – not to join in. So I said yes. But I have a problem. I can’t sing – not very well. On the night, I wondered why I was there.

Then the van came with the musicians and instruments. One guy was missing – sick, someone said. Rolf, my friend, just passed me a violin – he knew I played a bit. “Go on, Yasi” he hissed, “We need you.” And… somehow, I just played. And I was happy then. I – what is it?- ‘forgot myself!’

At the same link (above) you will find a list of all the other entries.

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100 Word Challenge

The Sparkler – Part 2

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To understand this post, first look at the prompt and explanation here if you are not
already familiar with it. Then read part 1, written by Sally-Jayne, here. 

After a full minute, he replied.
“Is it because of… what happened three years ago?”
Weak as she was, she jumped.
“How… did you know?”
“Remember my evening with your wise old mum?”
“And… you still love me?”
“Ellie, sweetheart, why am I here?”
Overcome, she melted into his arms.

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100 Word Challenge

The Wrong Season – Part 2

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To understand this post, first read the explanation of the prompt here (if you don’t know the basic idea already) and then read ‘The Wrong Season’ (part 1) here, written by Mrs. Green at Well, I never… Then read on below:

Then, too late, she saw the glint in his eye.
“Half a kilo? Coming right up, madam.”
She struggled to keep a straight face.
“Mister Jarvis… If YOU have ME on a string ONCE more…”
It was hopeless to pretend, though. She knew it.
She loved it. He knew it.

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100 Word Challenge

The Season of… What?

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This post was prompted by the special ’50/50 split’ 100 word challenge’ here.
Please click on the link to see the rules – and other responses. 

The concept: A clear blue sky. Brilliant sunshine on fresh snow. A slight, persistent, air and ground frost. Children, dressed in brightly-coloured warm clothes, laughing and shouting as they pull each other along on sledges, their parents joking with one another as they exchange stories of family life.

The reality…

Now it’s your turn. 50 more words – no more and no less!

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100 Word Challenge, Musings, Poetry

Ode to Mums Who Cook Christmas Dinner

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Once a year, in town or city
And around the countryside
Everyone prepares for feasting
On the day of Christmastide.
Special food, and drink as well
All the supermarkets sell.

When the day at last arriveth
For the tables to be spread
Many ‘mums’ are working madly
For their families to be fed.
‘Merry Christmas’ each will yawn –
(Ovens start in early morn.)

When the festive fare  is eaten
And the plates are cleared away
We salute those who’ve been busy
On this Christmas ‘holiday.’
“Well done, Mum!” And she’ll reply:
“That’s all right – I’ll wash, you dry…”

This post was prompted by the ‘100 word challenge’ here.
The appropriate tune (from a carol) should be obvious!
A hint: see the first line. 

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