Dream Big, The Fairy Tale, and Butterfly Kisses are three 100-Word stories on a Cinderella theme, written in three different 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.
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.
Copyright © Patricia Furstenberg. All Rights Reserved.
You can read other 100-word stories on my blog here.
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)
For more 100-word stories, stay tuned.
I love your differentl, personal perspective of Cinderella. Maggie
I think that readers connect with fairy tales in various ways, and may take different meanings out of the same text.
Thank you for reading, Maggie.
That is so true. I, for instance, thought that the second and the third were related, different chapters of the same story. But maybe I should drink my coffee first and then visit WP. 🙂
You’ve got a point there, Jo. About the story, not the coffee 🙂
Very interesting idea. My favorite is the second one. The ending was so unexpected, but she fulfilled her dream. She was the most beautiful at the ball.
Anything comes at a cost 🙂
I can see how #2 and #3 could be related, the last being the man longing for his dead love, years later.
Thank you,
Jessie.SORRY, Jo 🙂
Jessie? Jesus? Or Jo? 🙂 Well, I actually could have used some coffee, because I saw a killer in the gardener, not a lover. But that’s only my twisted mind… 🙂
Sorry, Jo.
I like your killer gardener or than my original thought!
Oh, so it’s you the one who needs coffee. 🙂 Whew! I’m glad that you approve that the third story could be read in a grim way as well. I thought I let my imagination run wild once again. 🙂
Ha ha 🙂 Looks like it – on the coffee.
Your imagination should run free, Jo. Well done. 😉
wonderful unique take Pat!!
So glad to hear that you enjoyed it, Cindy 🙂
I sure did, thank you!
Cool, and if that dream turns out being a pie in the sky aspiration or like chasing a rainbow leaving one a little fish in a big ocean; one can always swim back downstream and be a big fish in a little pond! It’s all relative; and can’t let a thing like ego get in the way!
Serve where you can best and will do the most good; where needed!
So true. Very well said. Just keep on going.
it’s funny what will trigger a memory of a loved one…
and I like your take on the Cinderella story..
Like birds. We think we can train them into coming with crumbs, but it’s them, who choose us.
Thank you, Jim.
good analogy, Pat!
🙂
Cheers to girls Dreaming Big and becoming Cinderella’s. Three wonderful takes on a age-old classic, Pat.
I also liked the first story the most 🙂
Thank you for visiting, Miss Judy.
Wonderful stories. The third was my favorite.
Ah, one to pull at your heart strings 🙂 Yes.
Thank you, Bonnie.
You are talented!!
I am so glad to hear that you enjoyed this trio of 100-word stories!
Thank you. 🙂
I love your chilling take on Cinderella.
That’s what can happen to anyone.
It’s sad but real.
A fairy tale that states the consequences of missing the carriage.
No fairy godmother here.
Great writing, Patricia. 🙂
Thank you, Terveen 🙂