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. Continue reading →