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Dishes #99WordStories

This week at the Carrot Ranch, Charli Mills challenged writers to In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about the dishes. It can be the every-single-day activity, a precious collection, or any other interpretation of dishes as objects or activities. Who is stuck with the dishes and why? Go where the prompt leads!

I had a few ideas for this one but couldn’t seem to make any work until I went back to my two young girls Amy and Lucy and their favourite toys. I hope this one works. Enjoy!

The Garden Party

Ellie observed that the table looked delightful. Ollie said he’d never used such fine chinaware before. Teddy commented that the fairy cakes were scrumptious and iced tea was perfect for a warm day. Everyone agreed. Amy and Lucy beamed.

Afterwards, the guests offered to help with the dishes.

“No way,” said Amy. “You’re our guests.”

“We insist,” said Ellie. Swiping swiftly with her trunk, she launched the plates likes frisbees. Ollie deftly caught them and stacked them by the sink. Teddy frothed the soap suds and washed while Lucy dried.

“Many hands,” said Amy, putting cups and plates away.

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 Optimism, including mine, can be read at the Carrot Ranch.

Comments

44 responses to “Dishes #99WordStories”

  1. Nicole Horlings Avatar

    “…she launched the plates likes frisbees” – this part made me chuckle.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      I’m glad. Thanks, Nicole.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Elizabeth Avatar

    Fairy cake! I’d like to join this tea party!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      You’re always welcome, Elizabeth!

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Jennie Avatar

    This was fun, Norah!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      I’m pleased you enjoyed it, Jennie.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. bigskybuckeye Avatar

    Precious ending! A story filled with imagination, just like children’s.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thank you for your lovely comment. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Gloria Avatar

    The perfect guests indeed!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Indeed! Thank you. 🙂

      Like

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    […] #Dickenschallenge, we modified the goal and invite you to read ONE novella (not three). (Thanks to Norah and a few others who offered […]

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  7. Five Novella Descriptions (2023 #DickensChallenge: Read ONE Novella by June 9th) Post #2 – priorhouse blog Avatar

    […] #Dickenschallenge, we modified the goal and invite you to read ONE novella (not three). (Thanks to Norah and a few others who offered […]

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  8. The Dishes Collection « Carrot Ranch Literary Community Avatar

    […] The Garden Party by Norah Colvin […]

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  9. calmkate Avatar

    super delightful … I must get the elephant out of my cupboard and encourage him to help with my dishes 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      I know just what you mean! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Mabel Kwong Avatar

    I enjoyed your last tea party short story and enjoyed this one equally, Norah. I wish I could write as vividly and thoughtfully as you. Your say so much in so little words, yet it’s so easy to get your message.

    The visual of ‘Swiping swiftly with her trunk, she launched the plates likes frisbees’ made me think that the plates were going to be crashing everywhere 😄 Teamwork can be a bit like that sometimes, different styles and perspectives in the process of coming together – and everyone just makes it work. It is good that the dishes got done in the end. It reminds me of dinners with my Chinese family where sometimes everyone pitches in to do the dishes in the end.

    Wonderful writing, Norah. Hope you are enjoying the last month of summer over there

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thank you for your lovely comment, Mabel. At first the dishes were all going to be crashing everywhere. Then I decided that I didn’t like that and that Ollie (the octopus) could catch them with his eight arms. I preferred that ending. 🙂
      I hope you get some warmth down your way before summer ends. Sending some summery smiles. 🌞🌞🌞

      Like

      1. Mabel Kwong Avatar

        I really liked the image of Ollie catching the plates with his eight arms. Quite an entertaining sight. And a happy ending is always a lovely ending. Enjoy your warm and humid summer, Norah 🌞😊

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Norah Avatar

          Thank you so much for your wonderful support, Mabel. 💖🌞

          Like

          1. Mabel Kwong Avatar

            It’s always a pleasure coming over here and chatting with you. Thank you for sharing 🌞😊💕

            Liked by 1 person

            1. Norah Avatar

              I enjoy our chats too. 🙂

              Like

              1. Mabel Kwong Avatar

                Looking forward to coming again soon, Norah 😊

                Liked by 1 person

                1. Norah Avatar

                  See you soon, Mabel 😊🌞

                  Like

                  1. Mabel Kwong Avatar

                    Definitely soon, Norah 😊🌞

                    Liked by 1 person

  11. Anne Goodwin Avatar

    Ha, great teamwork. Reminds me of the cartoon version of the sorcerer’s apprentice in Fantasia.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      I’m not sure that I ever saw Fantasia. I don’t recall the scene, but I’ll take your memory of it as a compliment. Thank you.

      Like

  12. Patricia Tilton Avatar

    That was a sweet story. I expected some breakage, but they all chipped in to help out — and that’s what friendship is about!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      I started out thinking breakages, but changed my mind towards the end. I was taken with the idea of Ollie (the octopus) catching all the plates with his eight ‘hands’. 😂

      Like

  13. Kate Avatar

    Sweet story. Many hands do make doing chores so much more fun. When our boys were little they liked playing with the dish bubbles, so they were sort of helpful. There was more water in the floor than in the sink at the end, but those where the days.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Those were the days indeed. It’s good to get the children involved, even if sometimes the little hands make light work hard. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Annika Perry Avatar

    Love this, Norah! Heartwarming and you taught your girls well!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thanks so much, Annika. Those young girls are story characters. 💖

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Jacqui Murray Avatar

    That is darling. The iconic tea party.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thanks so much, Jacqui.

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Darlene Avatar

    What a cute little story.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thank you, Darlene.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. robbiesinspiration Avatar

    HI Norah, this is a lovely little story.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thank you, Robbie. I’m pleased you enjoyed it.

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Chel Owens Avatar

    I clearly need an elephant.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      We could probably all do with a team like Ellie’s. 😂

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thanks, Robin.

      Like

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thank you, Beth.

      Like

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