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Well’s Gone Dry #99WordStories

This week at the Carrot Ranch, Charli Mills challenged writers to In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story using the phrase โ€œwellโ€™s gone dry.โ€ Is it a real well or a metaphorical well? Why is it dry? What is the consequence and to whom? Go where the prompt leads!

This is my response. I hope you like it.

Wellโ€™s Gone Dry

Having lived independently for years, when they moved in together, they had two of everything and needed nothing more. At their public celebration, they advised, โ€˜No gifts, please. Wishing well contributions appreciated.โ€™

With well-paying jobs, they had no immediate need of the wellโ€™s contents, which they didnโ€™t inspect but agreed to keep for a โ€˜rainy dayโ€™.

It sat untouched for many years, until it didnโ€™t just rain; it poured.

โ€œMust be all notes,โ€ they said when it didnโ€™t jingle.

There was but one note: โ€œAlways carry an umbrella in case of rain.โ€

The well remained the only thing dry.

Thank you blog post

Thank you for reading. I appreciate your feedback. Please share your thoughts.

Note: The collection of stories made in response to the previous prompt Soldier, Prisoner and Buttercup, which I unfortunately didnโ€™t find time to respond to, can be read at the Carrot Ranch.

The collection of stories made in response to the most recent prompt I responded to Mum Selfie can also be read at the Carrot Ranch.

Comments

37 responses to “Well’s Gone Dry #99WordStories”

  1. robbiesinspiration Avatar

    Hi Norah, this is very clever.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thank you, Robbie. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Well’s Gone Dry Collection « Carrot Ranch Literary Community Avatar

    […] Wellโ€™s Gone Dry by Norah Colvin […]

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Hugh W. Roberts Avatar

    This was so ‘out-of-the-box’, Norah. Your piece of flash is a lesson to us all. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      I hope it’s a good lesson, Hugh. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Jules Avatar

    I remember reading some advice for saving for retirement… amazing how much one needs.
    Especially when an elder needs specialized care.

    I like your story. I know many parties that have had ‘Your presence is our gift’ –
    But it is hard to not bring gifts to recognize special events. I think that one ‘note’ was a great gift indeed. One of my grandfathers had a job where he took his barrow and sharpened knifes and repaired unbrellas!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      I have always found gifting difficult, and these wishing wells especially so, Jules. If you decide on a gift, you may be able to get one discounted and it’s good value, but it’s always difficult to know how much to contribute to a well. (It’s not good value if they don’t need it though.)
      You have fascinating relatives.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. nightlake Avatar

    This was a very imaginative story, Norah. Should we post the story in our blog only after Charli publishes it in Carrot Ranch (as per the new rule)?

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Norah Avatar

      Oh, I didn’t know there was a new rule. I’ll have to check it out.

      Like

    2. Norah Avatar

      I’ve just reread the rules. I don’t see anything new in them. So far as I know you can post whenever you like. Please let me know if I’m wrong.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. nightlake Avatar

        I suppose we should just not pingback anymore, just use the form to submit. Thank you:)

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Norah Avatar

          I add a pingback to the previous collection when I post my new story.
          If you publish before the collection, you can alway ping back to the prompt so others can join in. I always post at the end of the writing cycle but I put a link at the top of the post so others can go back and read the prompt if they want.

          Liked by 1 person

  6. Wellโ€™s Gone Dry #99WordStories – Freelancer Jobs Avatar

    […] Wellโ€™s Gone Dry #99WordStories […]

    Liked by 1 person

  7. dgkaye Avatar

    Nice play on the ‘well’ word Norah ๐Ÿ™‚ x

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thank you, Debby. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  8. TanGental Avatar

    Nicely done Norah; I’d love to see the faces. I bet whoever the smart arse was he/she didn’t get a Christmas card the next year.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      That’s the point, Geoff. Whoever. I’m guessing it was anonymous.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Jacqui Murray Avatar

    You have a clever and fertile mind, Norah!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thank you, Jacqui. On a story about a dry well, that’s quite a compliment. ๐Ÿ˜‚

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Prior... Avatar

    I feel like you sprinkled in some fun connections to water – like the rainy day and then the “poured” – and the ending dry…

    Also – i didn’t get to follow up and share with the butter cup prompt – wish I could have !
    But I must say that having Charli on story chat this month allowed me to get to know her more- and see her gracious and humble side – I love her so much – and can see why you have always supported her!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thanks, Yvette. I always enjoy your play on words and your positivity too.
      I’m pleased you got to know Charli a little better. She is an amazing woman.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Prior... Avatar

        Sh really is – and we see the depth of some folks when they let us in- and she does that (sigh – too bad not everyone is like that as they keep up walls or play head games – but she is the real
        Deal!

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Norah Avatar

          Totally, Yvette. I think you got that right.

          Liked by 1 person

  11. Chel Owens Avatar

    Seems a mean trick. Why not include a note of more monetary value?

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Norah Avatar

      I guess that was my mean streak coming out. It wasn’t the ending I initially intended, but it was as far as the word count took me. And I guess my well is dry and I’m in a bit of a negative spot at the moment. Sorry to spread it around.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Chel Owens Avatar

        No apologies, Norah. You’re talking to a pessimist.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. TanGental Avatar

          come on. girls, cheer up; it could be worse, you could be a man…

          Liked by 2 people

          1. Chel Owens Avatar

            I’ve actually not thought that would be worse…

            Liked by 2 people

            1. TanGental Avatar

              I imagine it depends on which side of the X chromosome you sit.

              Liked by 2 people

              1. Norah Avatar

                ๐Ÿ˜‚

                Like

            2. Norah Avatar

              I agree with you, Chelsea.

              Liked by 1 person

          2. Norah Avatar

            How would that make it worse, Geoff. I thought it was a man’s world.

            Liked by 1 person

            1. TanGental Avatar

              Not mine! But then Iโ€™ve been well trained by three generations of rather formidable and amazing women.

              Liked by 1 person

              1. Norah Avatar

                What a job they must have had! ๐Ÿ˜‚ And to think it took three generations! You must have put up a fight! ๐Ÿ˜‚

                Like

        2. Norah Avatar

          I try to be an optimist, but sometimes it’s difficult to see the light when stuck at the bottom of a dry well.

          Liked by 1 person

          1. Chel Owens Avatar

            At least you don’t have six young humans pulling you back down into the well anytime you climb a few inches…

            Liked by 1 person

            1. Norah Avatar

              True. I do well enough on my own.

              Liked by 1 person

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