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There are many, MANY more One Word Stories coming – this is becoming my daily wind-down. I wanted to share the latest omnibus edition of Al and Kai’s Faboo News, my online kids news and entertainment show that has just finished its first series.
Enjoy!
#109 – IkeaWardrobe
Jason stared at the screw. He was certain it didn’t belong.
There weren’t any other screws like it – not down by his feet, not tacked down the middle,… just this one, lone screw jutting out of the wood. It wasn’t even straight. Which joker put this thing together?
He wanted to twist the thing out. Thumb the hole flat. Perhaps add in a bit of filler.
“I deserve that, right?”
Another clod of earth cracked against the wood. He could smell the cigarette smoke from the men, 6 feet above.
“Right?”
“Shut up, snitch.”
Another clod slammed down.
(c) Tim Austin 2025. Photo by Steve Johnson on Unsplash
Today’s word was suggested by Tom Jamieson. Want to suggest a word? Pop it in the comments below!
#108 – Government
The leather benches stank of ancient sweat and stale skin, their cracked green seats bloating beneath the filthy water.
Rats swam through the sewer-foamed chamber, their whiskers twitching as a fresh carcass floated into the room. Ravens perched high in the rafters, cawing and chattering across the dark isle.
The birds would squabble and more would come. They would fill the room as evening fell, fretting and fighting for scraps.
But the rats knew that their jeers were pointless now.
Another body bumped into the room, its once-fine dress now bloodied and ruined.
The river provided for all.
(c) Tim Austin 2025. Photo by Raghav Srikanth on Unsplash
Suggest YOUR word in the comments below!
Faboo News!!
Many of you may have been wondering where I’ve been hiding myself recently and the answer is: I’ve been busy making a TV show!
Writing, producing and performing – it’s been quite the undertaking!
Faboo News is “The Muppets Meets CNN” – a news and entertainment show for 4-8 year olds (and their parents!) focusing entirely on positive and uplifting news stories.
If that sounds great to you, it would be wonderful if you could head over to https://www.youtube.com/@FabooNews and subscribe to the show! New episodes every Saturday!
Tim x
#107 – Shiver
Dew was already running down the glass as the waiter plucked it from his tray and settled it to the table. Emmie smiled up at him. So did her boyfriend.
Tom plucked five dollars from his wallet and handed it to the young man with a nod.
“Thanks man,” Tom chirped.
“What’s the mercury say?” Ellie asked.
“78,” the waiter replied.
Emmie touched the glass, a flicker trembling through her as Tom’s gaze met hers.
“Enjoy!”
The waiter hovered a moment more before moving on.
Tom was no longer smiling.
Emmie’s heart thundered.
Her cheek still stung beneath the makeup.
(c) Tim Austin 2024. Photo by Rohan Gupta on Unsplash
Suggest YOUR Word,… and I’ll write the first image it brings. Pop your word in the comments below!
#106 – Temple
.
Della thrust her palms into the stone around her waist, torch-light gleaming from the floor, two feet beneath her face. Her khaki trousers tore the ancient plaster away and she crashed down onto tiles that hadn’t felt tread or breath in a thousand years.
In a moment she was standing, the torch held forward, gazing out into the gloom: oblivious to the blood flowing across her cheek.
“Monotehp’s folly,” she breathed, watching as the light struck out into the gloom. “I did it.”
She smiled at the discovery. Hers alone.
Torchlight shone. Treasures gleamed.
Eyes watched her from the dark.
(c) Tim Austin 2024 Photo by julien OLLIVIER on Unsplash
Suggest You Own Word in the Comments Below! 🙂
#105 – Cardiovert
“Are you okay?”
Bill didn’t dare say. There was too much work hanging on this.
The bare, black door stood between him and his future. 40 minutes from now, a hundred people could have work enough to last a decade. He could already see their smiles and their joy. He could already feel their relief.
Bill clutched his shoulder and winced, shaking out his arm as his head swam and his chest tightened. He raised his hand to knock. He was so close. So close.
“I’m fine,” he spat, striking his knuckle to the door.
Just 40 minutes,…
(c) Tim Austin 2021. Photo by Damir Kopezhanov on Unsplash
It’s about time,…..
Yup, I’ve started writing OWOS stories again! After a period of Burnout, I feel able to get back into the swing of these again – maybe not every day but I’ll try at least every week.
It’s good to be back 🙂
Suggest a word in the comments below!
#104 – Recompense
Palm flat. Hand turned up. He’s waiting for you.
Don’t reach out too fast. Don’t seem desperate: make him wait for it. Listen to the crowd and let the moment breathe. Let it happen.
Step away. Hear the hiss of air through ten thousand sets of teeth. Don’t smile at it – remember who you are.
There it is,… the boos have started, spreading through the arena like a virus. Glorious.
Now is the time. Step back through the ropes.
An hour of agony and blood. A smile between secret friends.
“Hellava match, man. Hellava match,….”
“Same time tomorrow?”
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Image by Martin Kníže via Unsplash.
So this is my take on the word “Recompense”, what’s yours? Write your own and pop me a link! And if you’d like to suggest a word for me to use as a title, please do!
Today’s word was suggested by Marple25Mary – a short story writer and connoisseur who can be found at https://marple25mary.wordpress.com/. Say hello.
#103 – Pantry
“Go on,… it’s just above you”
The words were a gentle whisper, a breath caressing the young woman’s ear. She could hear the tittering laughs of others around her, a ribbon of muslin tied tight over her eyes.
She rose to the tips of her toes and her fingers brushed something warm. She chased to grasp it, her foot twisting: her body falling to the ground. There was a gasp.
“It’s alright” the girl said as she slipped off the blindfold.
The eyes of the other slaves were fixed on the open door.
“I’m,… sorry Misses. We were just playing,…”
(c) Tim Austin 2016. Image by Stelios Kazazis via Unsplash.
My word today was “Pantry” – what story would you write if that was the word you were given? That’s the challenge: you have 100 words with “Pantry” as your title. Write it, link it back to me and let’s see what you can do!
Today’s word was donated by Nthato Morakabi, a fellow short story writer and journalist from Sunny South Africa. You can find out more about him at http://nthatomorakabi.com/.
Guest Post: Fireball – One Word, One Story
There is a new challenge for One Word One Story: write your own story based any of the one word titles I’ve already used, or based on a title you’re donating to me!
I’ve been given “Fireball” as a word and I’ll be posting my own take on it shortly. JM Williams, the fabulous sci-fi writer who’s donated said word, has already written his take – and here it is!
Thanks JM!
– What would YOU write if given 100 words and the title “Fireball”? Pop something together and link it here!
One Word, One Story 