So, Charli Mills, over at Carrot Ranch, has challenged us to write a story, in exactly 99 words, that begins with “Once Upon a Time.” Or something from another culture or from our own pickled brains, that invites the reader to enter that space where stories begin. So, of course, I present to you three microflashes that I hope are fun.

Nope, Nu-uh

Once upon a time, in the before times when tigers smoked, and fish farted unicorns on black sandy beaches, before Noah built his ark and the Wright brothers flew their plane, an egg hatched.

Slowly, it pecked out of its shell with its crystal-tipped tail, then increased in speed as the scent of musky cigar smoke, and perfume sweet as cotton candy permeated its tight world.

Finally, it lay free of its shell, panting on black sands and looking up at dark figures against the warm sun.

“Are you my Mommy?” It peeped with a spurt of dragon fire.

© Liz Husebye Hartmann (2023)

What’s a Bandersnatch to Do?

Twas brillig, long ago, and the slithy toves had just about had enough. It wasn’t so bad that the mome raths constantly outgrabe without so much as a by your leave (it was pretty much their culture), or that the Tumtum tree didn’t bother to give me a head’s up about what was going down.

It was that this uffish kid with Alice-blond hair stood under that damn tree, wielding that vorpal sword and snicker-snack, took off with the poor Jabberwock’s head.    

Jabby was our best friend, and now I’m doubly frumious.

Nobody’s gonna live happily ever after, now!

© Liz Husebye Hartmann (2023)

Do Over, Please

In the After Times, that came before the last time the world was restarted, trees had lips to sussurate, rain wore tiny shoes to dance on water, and stars twinkled in ever-present darkness. Humans were unnecessary because everyone knew their own names, and recognition went beyond what words could ever tell.

But not all worlds are like this. Not even ours, Little One.

Sometimes worlds and cultures collide. Sometimes damage is done, and what looks like an ending may be a beginning: not everyone agrees, not everyone knows.

Patience and forgiveness, humor and do-overs are what restart the world.

© Liz Husebye Hartmann (2023)

Carrot Ranch Prompt (11/14/2023): In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that begins with “Once upon a time…” or use a different beginning. Invent a new story-starter or research different beginnings from among the world’s cultures. Go where the prompt leads!