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Ernest Hemingway is said to have invented the concept of the ‘six-word story’ as the result of a bet and, although the tale’s almost certainly apocryphal, the idea’s a challenging one.  A truckshunter called Lorna emailed me about it a couple of weeks ago and sent me some she found on the internet and elsewhere.

Hemingway’s bet-winning story is first...

For Sale.  Baby shoes.  Never worn.
* * *
Painfully, he changed ‘is’ to ‘was’.
* * *
‘Wrong number’ says a familiar voice.
* * *
The smallest coffins are the heaviest.
* * *
Brought roses home.  Keys didn’t fit.
* * *
First sentient robot:  ‘Turn me off’.
* * *
We stared straight ahead, crying silently.
* * *
Introduced myself to mother again today.
* * *
‘I’m faking Alzheimer’s’ said grandad.  Again.
* * *
Birth certificate.  Death certificate.  One pen.
* * *
‘Just Married’ read the shattered windscreen.
* * *
Finally spoke to her.  Left flowers.
* * *
Met my soulmate.  At her wedding.
* * *
She made no sound.  She jumped.
* * *
Sometimes it was sometimes.  Now, never.
* * *
Bedroom door opened.  Diary lock broken.
* * *
‘Joining the President is his husband...’
* * *
Strangers.  Friends.  Best friends.  Lovers.  Strangers.
* * *
Final Facebook entry:  ‘Does anybody care?’
* * *
‘You’re not a good artist, Adolf’.
* * *
Torched the haystack.  Found the needle.
* * *
Ambulanceman finished her text.  ‘...love you.’
* * *
‘This is our secret’ whispered daddy.

Some industrial-strength imagination's been at work here.  If you don't believe me, try writing a six-word story yourself...

I hope you found at least some of them as thought-provoking as I did.

And Lorna....who are you?

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AGM XLVI

For heaven's sake don't forget that our next AGM will take place at 1100 on Thursday 26 February in Newcastle.

Ive booked the stripper.

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CONTACT ME
Post comments on this blog or email me:  truckshunters@googlemail.com