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.
It's weird thing. When the dogs eyes start to become gray and they spend most of their time laying around. You know there time is growing shorter yet it seems this is when we have are best memories with them.
Thanks Justin. I so miss having a dog, they add a completely different dimension to our lives, mostly good. My wife has never liked dogs but has tolerated them for twenty-eight years. She's made countless concessions for me. Not having a dog is a relatively small one for me to make.
However, If the situation ever arises, I should be able to cash in her life insurance policy for a new dog house.
"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."
I couldn’t agree more with you, Sharron! Our ever-present companion. Funny, I was just chatting with Meg Oolders the other night about this. Great little piece here that so many of us can relate to!
I would agree blind loyalty from pets is why we love them so much. I don't think they know how to put our behavior in any healthy context, however. The judgement they know so little about is the same tool that our loved ones can use to nudge us to better places in our lives. Most dogs are just as likely to put their snout in our lap when they sense we're upset about wasting large amounts of money at the casino as they would be if we had suddenly lost a sibling to a heart attack.
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!
Maybe it is not so difficult to "call ourselves out" on reality, Mark. Maybe the hard part is doing something about it? I am not sure about this, I need to think it through, but even meth-heads admit to themselves their reality. They've made a choice and just have no desire to remedy it. How is an addiction to technology any different? I don't know. Just something this discussion made me think about.
Very good point there. Calling ourselves out on the reality is the first critical step but without the second (acting on it) nothing changes. Very true.
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”!
Ahh, Samwise and Frodo! They certainly wouldn’t have been able to pull it off without one another. Thanks for the trip to Middle Earth, Barrie…makes me want to either read or watch LOTR!
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.
Always rich Justin. You're a master with the spinning of words.
Thanks so much, Mark! Very kind of you to say.
Tools can become trusted companions, for sure.
Agreed. Especially when the tool is one’s livelihood!
"Sputtered, choked, and died. It happens to the best of us doesn't it? Lovely moment here.
Thank you, Sharron!
Beautiful! Glorious innings...
Thank you, Sunil!
Painting a glorious picture, Justin. Nicely done
Thank you so much, Barrie!
Another unique take I wouldn't have thought about
This is what makes these prompts so much fun for me…seeing all of the different approaches and styles!
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.
You’re melting my heart over here. Beautiful! 🐶
Thanks. I have not written a poem yet but the prompt seems to make it all work.
Nicely done, J.R.Q.
Very nice, you bring back some good memories.
It's weird thing. When the dogs eyes start to become gray and they spend most of their time laying around. You know there time is growing shorter yet it seems this is when we have are best memories with them.
When the time is winding down, we sense the need to collect and save the same kinds of memories we've been taking for granted for years.
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.”
Loved this, Mark. I’m sure you own guitars that have a lot of stories, too!
Yes. They have character marks. And lots of stories.
Mine as well, Mark.
Guitars are great companions, for sure. 🤓
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
Beautiful and heart wrenching at the same time. Dogs truly are a man’s best friend. I know mine is.
Thanks Justin. I so miss having a dog, they add a completely different dimension to our lives, mostly good. My wife has never liked dogs but has tolerated them for twenty-eight years. She's made countless concessions for me. Not having a dog is a relatively small one for me to make.
However, If the situation ever arises, I should be able to cash in her life insurance policy for a new dog house.
Yeeeps!
BTW, I wasn't talking about bumping her off to get a dog. Meaning if she goes to the greener pastures before I do - NATURALLY
Whew!
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!
I couldn’t agree more with you, Sharron! Our ever-present companion. Funny, I was just chatting with Meg Oolders the other night about this. Great little piece here that so many of us can relate to!
Loyal? More like stubborn, unwanted companion. 🤣
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.
I would agree blind loyalty from pets is why we love them so much. I don't think they know how to put our behavior in any healthy context, however. The judgement they know so little about is the same tool that our loved ones can use to nudge us to better places in our lives. Most dogs are just as likely to put their snout in our lap when they sense we're upset about wasting large amounts of money at the casino as they would be if we had suddenly lost a sibling to a heart attack.
Yes—agree with this so much. Thank you for sharing!
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.
Aww. Reminds me of my family’s old dog, Zeus. He was that same quiet pup. Very sweet story, Matthew.
Thanks Justin!
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.
Haha! Forget Travels with Charley. I want more Travels with Rocco!
Haha! Thank you Justin!
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!
Haha! This is perfect, Sunil. Thank you for the laugh! 🤣
Thanks Justin! I enjoyed giving it that unexpected humorous twist:)
So funny! Sadly, people often spend more time on their phones than with other people. Welcome to the digital age.
It's tough to find loyal companions among people...
They are rarer but far better. 🤓
I'll get them screened by my smartphone first:)
🤣 📱
🤣 That is definitely a different take. I love it! 👍
Thanks Matthew! Glad it gave you a tickle:)
HA HA HA Great, Sunil.
Thanks Sharron! She's not as toxic as made out to be. Though she's reminded me to maintain respectful boundaries for our wellbeing:)
Oh, she's toxic all right. Once she has you in her clutches, it is hard to escape. Or so I am told.
Tell me one good thing in life that isn't?!
Very good point Sunil
Right now I'm trying to placate Siri and Alexa:)
Without any judgement, calling ourselves out on reality - always a good thing.
Maybe it is not so difficult to "call ourselves out" on reality, Mark. Maybe the hard part is doing something about it? I am not sure about this, I need to think it through, but even meth-heads admit to themselves their reality. They've made a choice and just have no desire to remedy it. How is an addiction to technology any different? I don't know. Just something this discussion made me think about.
Very good point there. Calling ourselves out on the reality is the first critical step but without the second (acting on it) nothing changes. Very true.
"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.'
Ha! Too funny. I often wonder what our pets think of us…you probably nailed it. 😄
I always think about that. :)
The pup is probably right about the treat. An definitely right about humans. 🤣
😂, yep.
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.
😢 They leave a lasting impact on us. All of my dogs past and present are an important part of me.
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”!
Ahh, Samwise and Frodo! They certainly wouldn’t have been able to pull it off without one another. Thanks for the trip to Middle Earth, Barrie…makes me want to either read or watch LOTR!
Thanks for the great prompt, Justin. I have been having some days off writing while visiting my Mum in UK but I couldn’t resist the 50s!
Hope you’re having a wonderful time with her. Sounds lovely! 😊
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
Wow, this is remarkable, Sharon. I’d love to read more about these experiences. Thank you for sharing!