Fifties by the Fire — a fifty-word, prompt-based writing challenge. Feel free to share your response below, or read and comment to join in on the fun.
Prompt: Write a fifty-word story (fiction, CNF, or poetry) about a loyal companion.
Here are the other guidelines:
Make sure your piece is exactly fifty words. Feel free to use Word Counter or the word processor you use.
Write a title with the genre in the first line. (Example: Neighbors, Fiction)
The title does not factor into the word count.
Good luck and have fun. Happy writing!
Special thanks to John Lightle for providing “Puppy in the Door” for our writing prompt.
John Lightle is a Texas writer, poet, and photographer who spends many hours sitting on his woodpile contemplating. When away from his frame shop, he schleps his artwork among area art shows. The job takes him across the countryside, occasionally overseas, photographing the quiet resolve found within the golden hours.
"I’m swimming in a sea of serious self-delusion. It’s true! I don’t have what it takes. I’m not good enough. A fake! It’s only a matter of time before I’m arrested for impersonating a writer."
He was my favorite pet from childhood. The scruffy-looking dog that melted my heart at the dog pound. His eyes looked precariously at all the human eyeballs on him. He didn’t bark like all the other dogs. Everyone passed him by. My family did not. He was loved so much.
She nudged me gently and I caressed her fondly. She hummed a mantra while I floated into oblivion. And then urged me to step out with her to a glorious run. I could feel her warmth close to my heart. Breakfast options and dictation. Recharge time. My loyal smartphone companion!
One last ride. Down the ramp, toenails clicking on the asphalt. His belly full from the once-forbidden chocolate bar we’d shared earlier. He kissed my cheek. He wagged his tail. I wept. We walked toward the vet’s office.
All these years later and still, I whisper his name each morning.
Molten heat sapped his spirit. The sulphurous acrid stench seeped into his soul. Volcanic stone sandpapered at soft flesh, making his hairy toes bleed as they gripped the slopes of Mordor. Inertia gripped him, his movements leaden. Then, through billowing clouds of steam, the unmistakable voice. “Frodo, there you are”!
No Rest, Fiction
The engine sputtered, choked, and died.
Grant Loomis didn’t need to get out of the tractor to know its end had come.
He looked out across the half-harvested field—watched the sun’s descent.
“Had a good run, didn’t we?” the old man said. He was tired. Worn.
Down he climbed.
Couch-Poetry
My old man loves his dog.
One is too old to chase sticks.
The other to throw them.
They both become gray
and their family fades.
Busy with life
and not yet with age.
But with a warm lap.
He does not feel forgotten.
My old man loves his dog.
Every Ding Tells A Story - Fiction
“That dent there. Got it at Woodstock. I turned around and hit a microphone stand.
“That chip on the shoulder. Live Aid. Jimmy Page was comming off stage. His double-neck banged it.
“The big scratch was Lollapalooza.”
“Wow. That guitar has been around.”
“Yes, sir. It’s been my loyal companion.”
Named Nero for a Reason - non-fiction
Funny the way the dog with the most vicious past,
turns on a dime to be there for his master.
Four thousand miles of asphalt in the morning we shared,
me unloading my past to non judgemental ears
until one day he dropped, never failing to lick the unleashing hand
Loyal Companion, CNF
"I’m swimming in a sea of serious self-delusion. It’s true! I don’t have what it takes. I’m not good enough. A fake! It’s only a matter of time before I’m arrested for impersonating a writer."
Ah, self-doubt – our loyal companion, looking over our shoulders, dogging our steps.
What a nuisance!
Toby-poetry
I realize, now, loyalty from others is a responsibility.
Toby trusts me for everything, not least of all, my friendship.
Whatever I do, he accepts unquestioningly.
I think I’m a good person, worthy of trust.
But what if I wasn’t?
Is blind loyalty to be desired?
From dogs, not people.
Reggie (Fiction)
He was my favorite pet from childhood. The scruffy-looking dog that melted my heart at the dog pound. His eyes looked precariously at all the human eyeballs on him. He didn’t bark like all the other dogs. Everyone passed him by. My family did not. He was loved so much.
Tartan Jumper, Fiction
He’d tried his hardest to avoid it, including hiding under the kitchen table and barking up a fuss.
They shoved him into the tartan jumper anyway, and now the bald chap across the train carriage was taking his picture.
Rocco barked. Maybe he'd be the best dressed dog after all.
Sweethearts forever ( Fiction )
She nudged me gently and I caressed her fondly. She hummed a mantra while I floated into oblivion. And then urged me to step out with her to a glorious run. I could feel her warmth close to my heart. Breakfast options and dictation. Recharge time. My loyal smartphone companion!
"Feeling like a rebel" A pup's train of thought.
An omen of things to come. If he's just lounging there, he's imitating the cat.
Probably thinking, 'why should the cat get the royal treatment while I have to move everytime? Well, I'm not moving!'
'Maybe I'll get a treat for being a bad boy. Humans are so weird.'
The Golden Child || Nonfiction
One last ride. Down the ramp, toenails clicking on the asphalt. His belly full from the once-forbidden chocolate bar we’d shared earlier. He kissed my cheek. He wagged his tail. I wept. We walked toward the vet’s office.
All these years later and still, I whisper his name each morning.
It Takes Two (fiction)
Molten heat sapped his spirit. The sulphurous acrid stench seeped into his soul. Volcanic stone sandpapered at soft flesh, making his hairy toes bleed as they gripped the slopes of Mordor. Inertia gripped him, his movements leaden. Then, through billowing clouds of steam, the unmistakable voice. “Frodo, there you are”!
Part of Me Always non-fiction, poem
The voice that told me I was about to be attacked in an elevator
The voice that had me looking for lost cash in a field while there was a fire in my apartment house
The voice that warned me about a potential scammer
My loyal companion my sixth sense