Short Stories Archives - Stories by Patricia Furstenberg

21/09/202120/09/2021

Dream Big, The Fairy Tale, and Butterfly Kisses, 3 x 100-Word Stories on a Cinderella Theme

Queen Maria, Wooden carved door at Bran Castle

Dream Big, The Fairy Tale, and Butterfly Kisses are three 100-Word stories on a Cinderella theme written in three genres.

Dream Big

She’d stuck to her dream. That’s what Cinderella was about, pure heart.

She missed the duckie sniggers and the foster child label. She had her gown on, and in this ballroom full of possibilities a heart she could connect with was awaiting.

She bloomed, poised atop the stairwell. She had one shot and made it count. Against the mask’s itch, against the pull of the seam underneath her bosom.

Cinderella came alive at that masquerade the moment she understood that she was worth more than hand-me-downs and solitude, that she was as worthy of fulfilling her dreams as everyone else.

fairy tale Cinderella Theme, Queen Maria, Wooden carved door at Bran Castle — Queen Maria, Wooden carved door at Bran Castle

The Fairy Tale

It had taken her breath away, the Cinderella dress in the Fairytale Rental. Mom had shrunk at its musty scent and demanded Little Red’s cape. And a wicker-basket. Lice-free guaranteed and marked down. She’d won Best Costume for Dress-up Day, thanks to Mom’s magic wand that turned any pumpkin into a princess.

Still, she was a Cinderella at heart.

So for her Hen Party, she’d rented it. A full grown-up Cinderella dress fitted net stockings, a mask, and a crown.

Bibbidi-bobbidi-BANG!

A young woman’s body was found among the restaurant’s trash. ‘This Cinderella had missed her carriage,’ morning headlines read.

Butterfly Kisses

Most saw a butterfly flutter by, a spring breeze flirting with a gardener’s seedlings and blooms.

The raw shoots, knowing that they can’t handle its force, had released it towards the sky. Take it; it’s all but a flutter of dreams. Yet the trees, ready to forget a winter of bare mementos, had opened their buds for it, like candid arms.

And something else altogether caught its flicker. A chiffon scarf from the gardener’s knobby fist. A reminder of her soft confidence, her honesty, and her life – puff, gone!

‘To have your butterfly kisses one last time,’ he wished.

You can read other 100-word stories on my blog here.

My latest book, Transylvania’s History A to Z:

Transylvania’s History A to Z: 100 Word Stories

“I would recommend this book to all fans of history and historical fiction, as this is a fantastic combination of both.”
(Bonnie Reads and Writes)

For more 100-word stories, stay tuned.

15/09/202114/09/2021

Oratea Fortress, Echoes of the 13th Century, 100-Word Story

When wind howls around Oratea Fortress, echoes from the 13th century swirl around fir trees and tumbled down walls.

Oratea Fortress, Echoes of the 13th Century, 100-Word Story — Oratea Fortress, rising atop Saxon’s Hill

Located near the charming Rucăr Bran Corridor, Oratea Fortress echoes back in history to the 13th century, year 1212, when the Teutonic Knights arrived, as invited by King Andrew III of Hungary, to settle in Burzenland, Țara Bârsei, and below and protect this eastern land against Cumans’ attacks.

Stone upon stone still stands where Oratea Fortress once rose tall, and the wind still echoes of past battles, and of laughter, and whispers of love.

For what is wind, but the amassed power of words long ago uttered?

Oratea Fortress, Echoes of the 13th Century, 100-word Story

They’d arrived. And settled. New souls on old land. Forced smiles, calling one another a little too loud, laughing too much. Living with intent, their purposeful reputation preceding them.

Rising a chapel (a place to lie down for their last sleep), ahead of the fortress they ought to build. And protect. Stashing memories in the sacred foundation.

Till their time would come, days are filled with battles, laced with life. On this new land, rich in new shades. new sounds. new hopes.

Besides protecting it, ought they mingle with the locals? Besides fighting off ruffians, ought they live a little?

The unique beauty of each 100-word story is in the way the words are strung together, each one a gem, and in the spaces left between the words, and between sentences. So much can be told with little words. It is a challenge for the writer, and a thrill for the reader (I hope), as each time the tale is read a new detail springs to mind.

“I would recommend this book to all fans of history and historical fiction, as this is a fantastic combination of both.”
(Bonnie Reads and Writes)

13/09/202114/09/2021

Corvin Castle, Window Slits and Telling Rocks, 100-Word Story

Hunedoara Fortress view through a gap in the wall

We return to Corvin Castle only to gaze at its window slits and telling rocks in a 100-word story.

When you ventured through an old place, have you ever thought, if only these walls could speak… Would you be prepared to listen to their tales? For receiving, upon asking, can be a dangerous game.

Listen, then. Who tells this story?

Corvin Castle, Window Slits and Telling Rocks, 100-Word Story

Corvin Castle, a sliver of sunshine through a narrow rocky window

I remember the riverbed, my forever home. The steam floating above, ghosts of her removed children.

Rattled among my kin, I reach the destination in one piece, save for a chip on my face. A bare place, and inhospitable for many more snowy seasons. I hide – a mere illusion – and envy the crows, free with the wind.

The day I’m laid to rest, wedged among others, above is as dark as below. It’s over.

A crow’s call jolts me. Fresh breeze cools my hot cheek. A widow’s open. I’m a stone in its jamb. Bright sky smiles down.

Corvin Castle, Window Slits and Telling Rocks, 100-Word Story, a lone rocky slit window — Corvin Castle, a lone rocky slit window

Hunedoara Fortress close-up view of rocky towers and outside walls

Corvin Castle, Window Slits and Telling Rocks, 100-Word Story - view of stony towers

I had fun writing 100-word stories for my latest book, Transylvania’s History A to Z:

“I would recommend this book to all fans of history and historical fiction, as this is a fantastic combination of both.”
(Bonnie Reads and Writes)

07/09/202107/09/2021

First Book Review for Transylvania’s History A to Z

First review for my latest book, Transylvania’s History A to Z, comes from lovely Bonnie of Bonnie Reads and Writes.

“Transylvania’s History A to Z by Patricia Furstenberg is a wonderful combination of stories, photos, history, and legends about Transylvania, Romania.”
Bonnie Reads and Writes

– writes Bonnie, and she put a huge smile on my face. I am ever so grateful to Bonnie for choosing to read my new book and write a review!

Do click on the link below and read her thoughts:

Self-Published Saturday: September 4, 2021/Transylvania’s History A to Z

Thank you for reading 🙂

05/09/202103/09/2021

Silent Sunday, Light and Shadows on the Beach

Silent Sunday, or almost, light and shadows on the beach, the golden hour – a 100-word story.

Silent Sunday, light and shadows on the beach — Silent Sunday, between light and shadows on the beach

The laziness of a summer’s day lingers in the ruddy beams of the chaise longues, still stretching, ever hoping to dip their feet in the cool waves. Alas, perhaps tomorrow.

The thoughts abandoned upon them, now shadows, will hide with the night, without disappearing, hopes for the new day. And the day that’s gone, soon darkness and dreams, will join the rhythm of the waves, coming and going, departing and returning with the sun.

Only the umbrella stands above, out of sight, yet all-seeing, all-knowing. Fearless. Until the wind arrives. ‘What took you so long?’ she asks. He only sighs.