Fireside Revival | Microfiction Friday
A 100-word story based on the prompt, "miracle."
Welcome back to Microfiction Friday, the section of my newsletter dedicated to tiny stories with BIG impact!
Today’s 100-word tale takes place in the dead of winter (which is where it feels like we are in south-central Kentucky—it was literally below zero here earlier this week): “Fireside Revival.”
(Special thanks to Miguel S. at The Fiction Dealer for this prompt. Check him out for more great microfiction stories and writing prompts!)
Fireside Revival
By J. Louis
Lucas was greeted not by the soft crackle of a fire, but by cold, wintery silence.
The faint smell of smoke lingered. No fire; only a single smoldering coal.
His father, bundled in furs, stirred with a fit of wet coughs. Lucas placed a hand on his forehead, and his stomach dropped.
How long had the fire been out?
Lucas stuffed a handful of dead leaves into the firepit. Rubbing his hands together, he took a deep breath and blew.
Embers danced on the wind like fireflies as flames consumed one leaf after the next, and he sighed with relief.
From the Prompt Vault
Next, it’s your turn! Write a story inspired by: silence.
Silence can be peaceful, but it can also be the result of something far more sinister. Think of the pervading silence of the woods while a predator stalks its prey, or the sudden unnatural silence when a disaster is about to strike. Or even the silence of someone who, in the face of devastating or surprising news, has lost all words.
If you use this prompt, restack this post and tag me in it so I can read your work! I love seeing what our readers come up with.
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That’s all I’ve got for now. Until next time… keep writing!
- Josh
This is my story, using your prompt of “silence”, a kind of gathering silence before a battle, I suppose. I was not willing to reduce it to 100 words, so it’s more like 250.
https://open.substack.com/pub/rosealicewhite/p/power-of-unity?r=4df10y&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
I feel transported to the scene. Those 100 words feel complete. Masterful story construction and storytelling, Josh!