Challenge Writing Skills - Write A Short Story in Less Than Ten Words

Jump to Last Post 1-50 of 539 discussions (974 posts)
  1. BaliMermaid profile image58
    BaliMermaidposted 13 years ago

    The first part of this challenge would take place within the forum. Hubbers can vote on which entry is the best with the normal vote up, vote down system in place.

    Once a winner, or perhaps winners are chosen the challenge changes and becomes a contest / challenge to write the best explanation to what the very short story means.

    Inspiration from this comes from a story about the life of
    Ernest Hemingway that I heard years ago at a bar in Key West Florida.

    As many know, unfortunately Hemingway had a drinking problem and quite frequently ran up a large bar tap at a bar near his home on Key West, Florida.

    One night late, he asked the bar tender, who also happened to be the bar owner, for some more drinks to close out the night for himself and some friends.

    The bar owner challenged Hemingway by telling him this.
    "Earnest, you write me a short story that I can sell and make enough to pay off your bar bill and I will give you free drinks for a month, but only for you."

    Here is Mr. Hemingway's response. 

    For Sale
    Baby Shoes
    Never Used

    and that is it folks. Look at the genius in those six words. Let your mind wander and imagine all the variations those six words can lead to.

    So my challenge is to my fellow hubbers.

    Write a short story in LESS than ten words.
    Then we all vote on the best and the contest becomes one of writing hubs to explain what the winning short story means.

    Good luck.
    Balimermaid

    1. miss_jkim profile image75
      miss_jkimposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I've always thought this spoke volumes about his short story, Hills like white elephants. Perhaps it was not a fictional story after all, and perhaps, Mr. Hemingway was quite remorseful.

    2. Just Ask Susan profile image89
      Just Ask Susanposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      We met one night.
      We dated, We married
      Soul mates.

      1. BaliMermaid profile image58
        BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

        Nice, Susan but the story is set, not much left to the imagination. I will admit that in this day and age when more than 50% of marriages fail the part missing in your sorry, the divorce, is significant.

        Thanks for your story.

      2. speedbird profile image60
        speedbirdposted 13 years agoin reply to this

        Hi! Susan, I really like your 10 word story, to me it seemed impossible. Good Luck smile

    3. Miss Lil' Atlanta profile image80
      Miss Lil' Atlantaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Weeping Willow Tree
      That sits aside me
      Mourns as my reflection

      1. Miss Lil' Atlanta profile image80
        Miss Lil' Atlantaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

        I just realized that this is supposed to be "less" than ten words... oh well lol

        So here's my new entry.


        If you can't feed 'em
        Don't breed 'em

        1. Seafarer Mama profile image78
          Seafarer Mamaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Re-enter the above with 1 change to make it 10 words: sitting beside me?

          Very poetic. Worth submitting. :0)

    4. profile image50
      emilianancaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I drove a Trabant
      From Romania to Ireland

    5. QudsiaP1 profile image60
      QudsiaP1posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Any idea, when the winners will be announced?

    6. Ravynn profile image60
      Ravynnposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Warm summer day
      Fishing in the stream
      Home empty handed

    7. profile image57
      pjwritesposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Twenty years,
      Seven friends,
      Business and money,
      Friends no more.

      1. Silent Sinner profile image61
        Silent Sinnerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

        I liked this one a lot. Its very creative ! smile

    8. jackscott profile image61
      jackscottposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      You died and I put my stall out again.

    9. HartMurengu profile image60
      HartMurenguposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Empty , just empty with his glowing facade outside.

    10. thelistmania profile image61
      thelistmaniaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      He saw her she saw her loved married and dead

    11. Barbara88 profile image63
      Barbara88posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Sweet Whispers
      Harsh Words
      I was yours
      You were hers

      1. weavesandbraids profile image74
        weavesandbraidsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

        This is short and yet tells a complete story

    12. ooopsss profile image60
      ooopsssposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      one wrong number dialed ,3 hours of chatting ,a month of dating and married till death facing.

    13. ooopsss profile image60
      ooopsssposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      we spend our whole life fighting to live and in the end its the death who wins.

    14. frogtalk profile image59
      frogtalkposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Awkward Girl
      Awkward Guy
      They both like each other

      1. frogtalk profile image59
        frogtalkposted 13 years agoin reply to this

        Wait wait...I got it wrong:
        Shy Girl
        Shy Guy
        They like each other

    15. Dave Mathews profile image60
      Dave Mathewsposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I came. I saw. I conquered. = (six words)

      1. R W Harrington profile image60
        R W Harringtonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

        He was born, He made a difference, then he died.

      2. Etherealenigma profile image69
        Etherealenigmaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

        We prayed.
        God answered.
        His abundance was
        9 pallets worth.

      3. BradyBones profile image82
        BradyBonesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

        He sat, broken.
        Unable to reach the oil,
        He rusted.

        1. aisha91 profile image53
          aisha91posted 12 years agoin reply to this

          I dreamed high
          I get
          Emptiness...

        2. CastleQueen profile image59
          CastleQueenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          Blue Eyes Bright
          Soldier, war, emotional defeat
          Blue Eyes dull

        3. profile image0
          setarehposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          Tears fall.
          I cannot leave.
          But you must, love.

        4. profile image0
          Sarra Garrettposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          Life's hard
          don't fret
          keep going
          never stop

        5. tamarawilhite profile image86
          tamarawilhiteposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          "Mommy, look!"
          I look and see nothing. Not even her.

        6. Silverspeeder profile image59
          Silverspeederposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          Car for sale
          One careful owner
          Some scratches

        7. LKane profile image62
          LKaneposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          Born free
          Born again free
          Shackles and chains
          Consume me

      4. lyndre profile image60
        lyndreposted 13 years ago

        Lifes a bitch and then you die

        1. BaliMermaid profile image58
          BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Yes of course, but the entire story is in your sentence. The trick is to leave it all open ended and wandering in the readers imagination, just as Hemingway did.

          But good entry and you are the first. For that I give you credit.

          1. arthurchappell profile image45
            arthurchappellposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            One millionth hub visit gives author heart attack.

            1. BaliMermaid profile image58
              BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

              Not bad.

              A few open ends, that's good.

              Did they survive the heart attack.
              Were they the millionth hub writer or visitor.

              Nice entry. Ask your friends to participate too please.

            2. ar.colton profile image81
              ar.coltonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

              Love it! That's hilarious!

        2. Miss Lil' Atlanta profile image80
          Miss Lil' Atlantaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          This one is by far my favorite lol!


          On a more serious note though, to me, open ended poems are so intriguing, but at the same time other forms of story/poetry are just as equally beautiful in my mind, like the expression of words based purely on basic observation.

      5. miss_jkim profile image75
        miss_jkimposted 13 years ago

        You left.

        I'm lonely.

        No reason to stay.

        1. BaliMermaid profile image58
          BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Nice entry, leaves me wondering;

          why you left
          who you is
          if they left why can't you stay
          will "they" get back together

          Nice entry!

      6. arthurchappell profile image45
        arthurchappellposted 13 years ago

        “Hastings 585317654?”
        “No, mate, it’s 1066 Watch out for archers.”

        1. BaliMermaid profile image58
          BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          I missed this earlier.  I love it, being a fan of both forward and backward science fiction, as it were.

          Look out for Archers, indeed!

          One problem. "Less than ten, mate - less than ten"

        2. classicalgeek profile image83
          classicalgeekposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          "Watch the arrows" would fix it.

      7. BaliMermaid profile image58
        BaliMermaidposted 13 years ago

        My Own Entry

        She came waiting.
        He came,she left.
        He wept!

      8. habee profile image93
        habeeposted 13 years ago

        Written by John Donne after his divorce:

        John Donne.
        Anne Donne.
        Undone.

        1. BaliMermaid profile image58
          BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Excellent Entry - very excellent entry. Not to be undone, perhaps?

      9. miss_jkim profile image75
        miss_jkimposted 13 years ago

        Bad storm

        No power

        No food

        No Heat

        1. profile image0
          JASON NICHOLSposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          "Where there is a fear, There is a protector.
          Where there is happiness, There is a smile.
          When there is hurt, There is an abuser.
          When there is sadness, There is sorrow.
          Wherever are you, I am with you."

          This is a short story written to a friend who is dead.

          1. BaliMermaid profile image58
            BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            A nice story, a touching tribute.
            Thank you Jason

            1. miss_jkim profile image75
              miss_jkimposted 13 years agoin reply to this

              A bit more than 10 words though.

        2. BaliMermaid profile image58
          BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Ah but this is what causes the rush in the delivery rooms at hospitals nine months from the day and time of the power outage. non?

      10. livewithrichard profile image72
        livewithrichardposted 13 years ago

        I came.
        I witnessed.
        I participated.
        I failed.
        I left.

        1. BaliMermaid profile image58
          BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Alas, an I five times plus five still ten does make.

          ...story less than ten words in length.

          sad

      11. skyfire profile image80
        skyfireposted 13 years ago

        Eat
        Work
        Learn
        Multiply
        Sleep
        Die

        1. BaliMermaid profile image58
          BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Isn't taxes supposed to be in there somewhere?

      12. Eaglekiwi profile image73
        Eaglekiwiposted 13 years ago

        Snow still falling.Towns on alert again. Go back to bed.

        1. profile image0
          JASON NICHOLSposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          He met,
          She met,
          He fell in love,
          She fell in love,
          He fought,
          She fought,
          He broke up,
          She broke up,
          Both felt relived.

          1. BaliMermaid profile image58
            BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Isn't that the way, statistics show, it is more often than not in these days and times. And how sad that is!

        2. BaliMermaid profile image58
          BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Well for certain one thing - he does not drive the city snow plow.

          1. Eaglekiwi profile image73
            Eaglekiwiposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            She certainly does not drive anything with snow that deep!

      13. Eaglekiwi profile image73
        Eaglekiwiposted 13 years ago

        More than ten words ,but all is forgiven this time smile

      14. Eaglekiwi profile image73
        Eaglekiwiposted 13 years ago

        Her red dress fell to the floor,he swallowed hard.

        1. BaliMermaid profile image58
          BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          gulp - whew but

          Write A Short Story in Less Than Ten Words

          so perhaps

          Her red dress fell as he swallowed hard...

          1. profile image0
            Brenda Durhamposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Well, why didn't the OP just say write it in NINE words or less?!
            LOL



            Okay.




            Bush out, Obama in; America is screwed. 


            There; I did it in 7.

            1. Maranda Writes profile image62
              Maranda Writesposted 13 years agoin reply to this

              How about:

              Bush makes mess.
              Obama cleans it up.
              Republicans take credit.

              1. Eaglekiwi profile image73
                Eaglekiwiposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                I like your thinking and so did many millions more! smile

                1. BaliMermaid profile image58
                  BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                  I like it too BUT

                  Less than ten words

                  Counting like this is what caused FLORIDA
                  when Gore and Bush battled to become POTUS

                  but easy to fix this one (no broken chads)

                  Bush makes mess.
                  Obama cleans up.
                  Republicans take credit.

                  1. Eaglekiwi profile image73
                    Eaglekiwiposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                    BaliMermaid you must count again ,one more strike ,your out!

      15. L.L. Woodard profile image68
        L.L. Woodardposted 13 years ago

        No more
        No less
        A note of regret

        1. BaliMermaid profile image58
          BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Very interesting "aber komish"

      16. 2uesday profile image66
        2uesdayposted 13 years ago

        Sometimes she wished it had worked out differently.

        1. BaliMermaid profile image58
          BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Very good entry. Thought provoking.

      17. Mark Ewbie profile image82
        Mark Ewbieposted 13 years ago

        CIA are watching me, not much time to

      18. slc334 profile image40
        slc334posted 13 years ago

        It wasn't me, maybe the elevator made that smell?

      19. profile image0
        ryankettposted 13 years ago

        I don't know how to write damn stories.

      20. readytoescape profile image60
        readytoescapeposted 13 years ago

        Her life seemed diminished when its drama faded in wisdom

        1. BaliMermaid profile image58
          BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          ..Less than ten, ready.., Less than ten

        2. readytoescape profile image60
          readytoescapeposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          You said write, not count, oops

          'life seemed diminished when its drama faded in wisdom'

        3. Miss Lil' Atlanta profile image80
          Miss Lil' Atlantaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Wow, more than 10 words or not, I don't care. Awesome, awesome entry. Kudos to you.

      21. profile image0
        ralwusposted 13 years ago

        writer lies
        entertaining
        mother love is tyrannical

        1. BaliMermaid profile image58
          BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Perhaps to deep for me!

      22. L.L. Woodard profile image68
        L.L. Woodardposted 13 years ago

        There are no losers, only those that won't win.

        1. BaliMermaid profile image58
          BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          You have to push before you can pull.

          Hey - that is an entry - woot woot.

          You have to play before you can win too.

      23. BaliMermaid profile image58
        BaliMermaidposted 13 years ago

        Genius and stupidity are different, stupidity is boundless.

      24. Lisa HW profile image62
        Lisa HWposted 13 years ago

        "The once crisp, sparkling gift lay rain-soaked and abandoned."

        1. BaliMermaid profile image58
          BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Hyphenated word phrases count as two words. But still a good short story leaving lots of possibles open. Thank you!

      25. Mighty Mom profile image77
        Mighty Momposted 13 years ago

        After wining and dining, she came, he came, he went.

        1. BaliMermaid profile image58
          BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          aduh ! Naughty Naughty - aber gut! smile

      26. Lisa HW profile image62
        Lisa HWposted 13 years ago

        Might Mom, a different angle on yours:

        He went.
        The family went.
        The septic-tank guy came.




        (sorry, I couldn't resist.  smile  )

        1. BaliMermaid profile image58
          BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          I love it!

      27. Nell Rose profile image90
        Nell Roseposted 13 years ago

        He didn't know what hit him. She did.

        1. BaliMermaid profile image58
          BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          I still say she hit him with an iron.  But only the nose knows and a Tigers nose is small.

      28. profile image0
        ralwusposted 13 years ago

        wheels round
        the ground
        meet

        1. BaliMermaid profile image58
          BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Excellent, even less than Hemingway himself but possible variations unsaid seem harder to fathom.

      29. BaliMermaid profile image58
        BaliMermaidposted 13 years ago

        Either read something worthwhile or do something worth reading!

      30. RedElf profile image90
        RedElfposted 13 years ago

        A bit ominous in a Daphne DuMaurier sort of way...


        nine into the woods
        went joyfully -
        none to return...

        1. BaliMermaid profile image58
          BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Tiger never hit a nine iron into the woods, tee hee.

          Good post, good entry.

      31. RedElf profile image90
        RedElfposted 13 years ago

        Post-modern ominous... wink


        Gathering clouds
        Roil overhead
        Summoning the sleeper

      32. AEvans profile image71
        AEvansposted 13 years ago

        Tears of joy fell from her face happiness at last.

        1. BaliMermaid profile image58
          BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Aduh! Ten, again.

      33. Mighty Mom profile image77
        Mighty Momposted 13 years ago

        Ah, I love the proclamations of literary influence smile

        Here's my attempt at Poe-esque:

        Being force-fed crow he was nevermore ravenous, just dead.

        BTW, Lisa, I loved your septic tank interpretation. Tee hee!

        1. BaliMermaid profile image58
          BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Forced to eat crow,  never more!

          1. RedElf profile image90
            RedElfposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            MM, that is so Poe-etic! big_smilebig_smilebig_smile

            1. BaliMermaid profile image58
              BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

              Sometimes, I am a poet and don't know it.

              1. BaliMermaid profile image58
                BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                And my favorite humorous poem.

                Birdie, birdie
                In the Sky

                Dropped some whitewash
                In my eye

                Gee
                I'm glad
                that cows don't fly

                wink

                1. BaliMermaid profile image58
                  BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                  Or the more utilitarian;

                  I see
                  Said the blind man

                  As he picked up his hammer
                  and Saw!

        2. Wintermyst profile image60
          Wintermystposted 13 years ago

          sunlight hidden
          clouds grey
          rain drops fall
          I weep

          1. BaliMermaid profile image58
            BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Very nice entry. Many open threads to contemplate. Excellent!

            1. Wintermyst profile image60
              Wintermystposted 13 years agoin reply to this

              Thank you:)

              1. BaliMermaid profile image58
                BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                Most welcome, are you!

                Gosh, I love Yoda speak.

                Pada waktu komunikasi enak sekali itu.

        3. pilesnoway profile image60
          pilesnowayposted 13 years ago

          set to hug life, love, struggle, death, eternity--our story...

          1. BaliMermaid profile image58
            BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Great but... alas ten is more than less than ten.

        4. KeepYouInMyPocket profile image61
          KeepYouInMyPocketposted 13 years ago

          He meant no harm, she pleaded.

          1. BaliMermaid profile image58
            BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            This one I do really like.

            Is it a mother pleading for her son?

            Is it a wife pleading for her husband?

            Is it a pet owner pleading for their pet?

            Lots of possibilities, like Hemingway's story.

            Good, very good!

            1. profile image0
              JASON NICHOLSposted 13 years agoin reply to this

              Joker tells a joke
              All laugh
              All can't stop laughing
              All die laughing

              1. BaliMermaid profile image58
                BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                Ah, hello.

                Is that 4 entries?

                Or just one funny poem more than ten words.

                In any case, it's good, it's funny, it's all good.

                Thanks

        5. pilesnoway profile image60
          pilesnowayposted 13 years ago

          eyes closed... whispered words...sunny smile...tears fall...heavens cried...

          1. profile image0
            JASON NICHOLSposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Sunny day
            Go to the beach
            Swim with friends
            Party with them.


            Is it good story? Did i do it? How did i do?

            1. BaliMermaid profile image58
              BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

              Good but vanilla, for this challenge is to tell the story without saying the words.  Also the number of words allowed is "less than ten", meaning 1 through 9 words is all you get to tell your short story.

              The only way to do this is to do like Hemingway did. Use words that leave as many open ends as possible to multiply the possible meanings and pathways of the story.

              Think of all the possibilities in his story.

              For sale
              Never used
              Baby Shoes

              There are hundreds if not thousands of possible meanings in those six words.

              Our challenge is to do it it "less than ten words"

              thanks again

        6. darkside profile image65
          darksideposted 13 years ago

          He plunged.

          She screamed.

          There was a mess needing cleaning.

        7. darkside profile image65
          darksideposted 13 years ago

          Ahhhhh, "less than ten".


          He plunged.

          She screamed.

          A mess needed cleaning.

          1. BaliMermaid profile image58
            BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Messy, perhaps violent, but good - real good.

            Many loose ends for the imagination to play with.

            thanks

        8. Tinsky profile image92
          Tinskyposted 13 years ago

          The rain fell.

          The water rose.

          Houses floated away.

          1. BaliMermaid profile image58
            BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Nice, but  perhaps predictable. Hope this was not based on personal experience.

          2. profile image0
            JASON NICHOLSposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Tinsky has written a short story about the floods which is taking place right now in Queenslands, Australia. Below is a pict of it. I hope that these people surive.

            http://s4.hubimg.com/u/4404723_f248.jpg

            1. BaliMermaid profile image58
              BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

              Thank you Jason.

              These unfortunate people need all nine words we can give in this challenge, as they face their challenges.

              Saint Jude Patron Saint of Lost Causes Protect Them.

          3. Miss Lil' Atlanta profile image80
            Miss Lil' Atlantaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Great poem/story, Tinsky. I adore the simplicity of it.
            I like the use of individual wording of that none of these words would provoke emotion as individuals in a stand alone manner (as many words can), but together one's only left in raw feelings. There's no need for an open ending. The picture is throughly depicted through the words you use, although they are discrete.  This poem but leaves the reader with a painted picture in their heads of an event so vivid from piecing so austere.

        9. Tinsky profile image92
          Tinskyposted 13 years ago

          Steam hisses!
          A cup turns thrice.
          My future awaits.





          PS.  I am not personally effected though I live near.

          1. BaliMermaid profile image58
            BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Really interesting, to the point that I cannot figure out where this one goes.
            If chosen as the winner - it would be a challenge to write a hub about what this one means.

          2. RedElf profile image90
            RedElfposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Ooooh I love stories about fortune tellers and tea-leaf readers...
            big_smilebig_smilebig_smile

        10. Me, Steve Walters profile image78
          Me, Steve Waltersposted 13 years ago

          Death all around...but wait...who holds the smoking gun?

          [I know it should be more then one sentence, but this challenge is along the lines of what a Poet tries to do with each and every sentence! Enjoyed the challenge.]

          1. BaliMermaid profile image58
            BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            No problem if format as you have done.  But, the instructions do say
            less than ten words

            I guess we know the smoking gun was in Arizona a few days ago.
            So sad!

        11. tshivley profile image57
          tshivleyposted 13 years ago

          Light illuminates
          Shadows dance
          Heart races...Silence

          1. BaliMermaid profile image58
            BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            whoa - good one. So seductive, so interesting, so passionate and then...
            what happened - great entry. One massive loose end.

            I love it!

        12. L.L. Woodard profile image68
          L.L. Woodardposted 13 years ago

          stark sunlight
          crisp silhouettes
          vision marred by innocence

          1. BaliMermaid profile image58
            BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Excellent!

            I bright daylight what is this person walking into?

        13. profile image53
          hollyimposted 13 years ago

          It had been the sunniest funniest day for us all

          1. BaliMermaid profile image58
            BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            It had been, for everyone, the sunniest funniest day  <----9 words

            less than ten

            Nice entry, leaves on wondering what made it such a great day.

        14. hoodieweather profile image60
          hoodieweatherposted 13 years ago

          The captain sleeps while she sails without him. smile

          1. BaliMermaid profile image58
            BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Interesting, what happened to the Captain. .  so many possibilities.

          2. KeepYouInMyPocket profile image61
            KeepYouInMyPocketposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            i like this one too.

        15. RedElf profile image90
          RedElfposted 13 years ago

          red-threaded dawn blooms
          comfortless cold
          lovers' empty arms

          1. BaliMermaid profile image58
            BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Excellent Entry.
            I can tell it was a long night but . . . why?

        16. pilesnoway profile image60
          pilesnowayposted 13 years ago

          dim room...note sealed with kiss...
          you open...tears welled...

          1. BaliMermaid profile image58
            BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            aduh sayang...

            Less than 10 words

        17. Daniel Carter profile image62
          Daniel Carterposted 13 years ago

          Free condoms:
          Newlyweds thought they'd need them.
          It's a boy.

          1. BaliMermaid profile image58
            BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Sorry - no cigar -

            Less than 10 words

            You are not alone. About 20% of entries get redone because they have 10 words.

        18. pilesnoway profile image60
          pilesnowayposted 13 years ago

          solitary walking...dark alley..blood on hands

          1. BaliMermaid profile image58
            BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Good, chilling and scary!

        19. pilesnoway profile image60
          pilesnowayposted 13 years ago

          love moon shines...clinging chimes...shadows playing...

          1. BaliMermaid profile image58
            BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Why do I get the impression that if this one was a video it might be R rated?
            Interesting.

        20. pilesnoway profile image60
          pilesnowayposted 13 years ago

          dark night, fireflies dance, where am i?

          1. BaliMermaid profile image58
            BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            I would say you are on a roll.

            A good run of great short sentence stories.

            1. Druid Dude profile image61
              Druid Dudeposted 13 years agoin reply to this

              Four of us left the garden, wound up here. Damn!



                                        THE END

              1. BaliMermaid profile image58
                BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                Damn is correct Dude.

                Ten Words or Less my Man, Ten Words or LESS.

                Please try again. I love your humor.

                Thanks,
                Balimermaid

         
        working

        This website uses cookies

        As a user in the EEA, your approval is needed on a few things. To provide a better website experience, hubpages.com uses cookies (and other similar technologies) and may collect, process, and share personal data. Please choose which areas of our service you consent to our doing so.

        For more information on managing or withdrawing consents and how we handle data, visit our Privacy Policy at: https://corp.maven.io/privacy-policy

        Show Details
        Necessary
        HubPages Device IDThis is used to identify particular browsers or devices when the access the service, and is used for security reasons.
        LoginThis is necessary to sign in to the HubPages Service.
        Google RecaptchaThis is used to prevent bots and spam. (Privacy Policy)
        AkismetThis is used to detect comment spam. (Privacy Policy)
        HubPages Google AnalyticsThis is used to provide data on traffic to our website, all personally identifyable data is anonymized. (Privacy Policy)
        HubPages Traffic PixelThis is used to collect data on traffic to articles and other pages on our site. Unless you are signed in to a HubPages account, all personally identifiable information is anonymized.
        Amazon Web ServicesThis is a cloud services platform that we used to host our service. (Privacy Policy)
        CloudflareThis is a cloud CDN service that we use to efficiently deliver files required for our service to operate such as javascript, cascading style sheets, images, and videos. (Privacy Policy)
        Google Hosted LibrariesJavascript software libraries such as jQuery are loaded at endpoints on the googleapis.com or gstatic.com domains, for performance and efficiency reasons. (Privacy Policy)
        Features
        Google Custom SearchThis is feature allows you to search the site. (Privacy Policy)
        Google MapsSome articles have Google Maps embedded in them. (Privacy Policy)
        Google ChartsThis is used to display charts and graphs on articles and the author center. (Privacy Policy)
        Google AdSense Host APIThis service allows you to sign up for or associate a Google AdSense account with HubPages, so that you can earn money from ads on your articles. No data is shared unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)
        Google YouTubeSome articles have YouTube videos embedded in them. (Privacy Policy)
        VimeoSome articles have Vimeo videos embedded in them. (Privacy Policy)
        PaypalThis is used for a registered author who enrolls in the HubPages Earnings program and requests to be paid via PayPal. No data is shared with Paypal unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)
        Facebook LoginYou can use this to streamline signing up for, or signing in to your Hubpages account. No data is shared with Facebook unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)
        MavenThis supports the Maven widget and search functionality. (Privacy Policy)
        Marketing
        Google AdSenseThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
        Google DoubleClickGoogle provides ad serving technology and runs an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
        Index ExchangeThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
        SovrnThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
        Facebook AdsThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
        Amazon Unified Ad MarketplaceThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
        AppNexusThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
        OpenxThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
        Rubicon ProjectThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
        TripleLiftThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
        Say MediaWe partner with Say Media to deliver ad campaigns on our sites. (Privacy Policy)
        Remarketing PixelsWe may use remarketing pixels from advertising networks such as Google AdWords, Bing Ads, and Facebook in order to advertise the HubPages Service to people that have visited our sites.
        Conversion Tracking PixelsWe may use conversion tracking pixels from advertising networks such as Google AdWords, Bing Ads, and Facebook in order to identify when an advertisement has successfully resulted in the desired action, such as signing up for the HubPages Service or publishing an article on the HubPages Service.
        Statistics
        Author Google AnalyticsThis is used to provide traffic data and reports to the authors of articles on the HubPages Service. (Privacy Policy)
        ComscoreComScore is a media measurement and analytics company providing marketing data and analytics to enterprises, media and advertising agencies, and publishers. Non-consent will result in ComScore only processing obfuscated personal data. (Privacy Policy)
        Amazon Tracking PixelSome articles display amazon products as part of the Amazon Affiliate program, this pixel provides traffic statistics for those products (Privacy Policy)
        ClickscoThis is a data management platform studying reader behavior (Privacy Policy)