Gorgeous Gnome

We’ve come to the end of the first week of the A-to-Z Challenge, which means we’re on the letter G. For those who don’t know, I’m writing 100-word flash fiction stories for this year’s fun-and-games. And to add a little spice to the chili (or pressure to over-inflated tire, maybe!), the stories are based on prompt suggestions given the day before. Eek!

For today’s story, I’m going with Dena Pawling‘s suggestion. Thanks, Dena! So, without further ado…

GORGEOUS GNOME

Miss Sable’s gnome was the envy of the town.

“Looks a bit like George Clooney, doesn’t he?” Agnes Pew commented one morning.

“Who?” said her daughter. “I think he looks like Zac Efron.”

“Whatever, Dolores. He’s gorgeous.”

“Yeah, he’s gorgeous.”

The gnome sat by the edge of Miss Sable’s pond, his fishing rod hanging in the water. Stone-faced. Unfeeling. Unflinching. Even as the toads leaped from his head, and newts crawled over his legs.

Miss Sable watched the admirers from her living room window.

“You were a pretty boy, weren’t you?” she sighed. “But after you called me those names…”

We take Sundays off for the challenge, so I’ve got some extra time to write Monday’s story. But what will my prompt be? I’m looking for some good H words and phrases. What have you got? Thanks!

cds

Colin D. Smith, writer of blogs and fiction of various sizes.

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17 Responses

  1. lissa says:

    good ending though I sort of suspected.

    suggestions:
    hiding in the gloom
    how to build a house without walls
    healing rubber ducks

    have a lovely day.

    • cds says:

      Thanks, lissa. I thought I might have been too obscure, but I should have trusted y’all’s smarts. 🙂 “How to build a house without walls”? Hmmm… some interesting ideas there. Thanks!

  2. One Of Us Has To Go says:

    I just love this one!! Didn’t suspect the ending myself.
    Well well done 😍.

    Horrendously hairy.

  3. Claire Bobrow says:

    This is my favorite one so far! Good job, Colin, and thanks for the laugh 🙂

  4. Dena Pawling says:

    Hey wow! Glad my suggestion worked for you. Altho yikes on the ending =)

    H is for how on earth can you write all these flash stories in less than 24 hours?! Hooray for Hollywood. Hotel California. Hubble. Hugs and kisses. Help!

    Dena
    https://denapawling.blogspot.com/

  5. Celia Reaves says:

    I’m sure he completely deserved it. Love the detail of the toads and newts – great clues to Miss Sable’s identity. Her name, too. You packed a lot into those few lines!

    I’m glad you get an extra 24 hours this time. I don’t know how you’re keeping this up!

    Some H words:
    – Holy Hannah! (My grandmother used to say that sometimes)
    – Heresy
    – Hiding Nemo (featuring your A-Z theme song: Just keep writing, writing, writing…)
    – Heavenly Hyacinths
    – Hiring a Hitman

    Have a good weekend, and I’ll catch the H story on Monday.

    • cds says:

      Thanks, Celia. I’m glad you saw the clues. I had to find a way to work them in for the ending to have a hope of making sense. Interesting prompt choices. Thank you! 😀

  6. Visiting your blog for the first time finding you on the #Challenge participation list. I will try and catch up with your posts. I can tell you are having a great time with this writing. If you have the time or interest, my theme this year is BOOKSTORES, their architecture, locations and the great people who sell books….one of my passions. Join my on the tour when you can. Stephenyhoughtlin.com

  7. debscarey says:

    I actually LOL’d at the ending. It was being far too nice till then! 😉

    A-Zing this year at:
    FictionCanBeFun
    Normally found at:
    DebsDespatches

  8. Twisty perfect!

  1. May 7, 2018

    […] G: Gorgeous Gnome […]

  2. January 9, 2022

    […] G: Gorgeous Gnome […]

  3. January 9, 2022

    […] G: Gorgeous Gnome […]

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