Don’t Worry, It Won’t Take Long
For this month’s Six-Word Story Contest, we challenged readers to tell a complete story in only a handful (plus one finger) of words. Dozens of taciturn types rose to the occasion—including, to our surprise, two classes of fourth- and fifth-graders from Emerson Elementary in Berkeley. Forthwith, the three winning entries (all of which achieved the Six-Word gold standard of implying ever so much more), plus an assortment of other entertaining picks.
THREE WINNERS
Shoes under my bed, not mine.
Sue Wainwright, Alameda
Nine months since you called . . . surprise!
Heather Angier, Oakland
Miss my scooter at Papa’s house.
Tom Melton-Stephan, Berkeley
Made it to Carnegie. Now unsung.
Rachel Hurwitz, Berkeley
Scuffed satin flung behind the coats.
Nancy McKay, Berkeley
School plays now, big screen tomorrow.
Ryan Walton, Berkeley
Aretha. Who? You are too young.
Mischa Wendel, Albany
Three goblets abandoned by the fire.
Carol Dorf, Berkeley
He’d say he left her. Later.
Lydia Nayo, Oakland
My life is full of surprises.
Takiyah Harris, Berkeley
Bulging cardboard boxes. Nowhere to go.
Carole Dwinell, Briones
Later, realized was fed own pet.
Allison Stuart-Willis, Oakland
Full of Trophies and future Dreams.
Leo Garcia, Berkeley
I was naked, now in jail.
Fred Foldvary, Berkeley
Don’t lie to Mom and Dad.
Ezzat Obeid, Berkeley
One-legged woman, three-legged dog.
Jennifer Frisch, Berkeley
I arrived, stayed,
but never belonged.
Joseph Mileck, Berkeley
Hit the gas. It’s over anyway.
Eric Anderson, Berkeley
Teacher’s pet. Teacher’s toy. Teacher’s arrest.
Dorrie Slutsker, Oakland
Neptune Society? I can’t even swim.
Ed Malenk, Alameda
Flat-chest history; tattoo-on nipples.
Ann Luria, Oakland
Take a pen. Draw a life.
Keerthi Peddiboina, Berkeley
Sleepy eyes, waking up in Mexico.
Luis Manuel Ramirez, Berkeley
Once the target, now the villain.
Jelina Liu, Berkeley
You loved her, yes. Faithfully? No.
Lior Jacober, Oakland
Came back home, puppy is gone.
Amy Ha, Berkeley
Awaiting circumcision . . . What’s that bright light??!
Barry Gantt, Oakland
Loud when little, quiet when older.
Mela Schoon, Berkeley
The patient, declared dead, awakened. Hungry.
Gene Dominique, Oakland,
My sister’s gown follows behind her.
Aaliyah Ratchford, Berkeley
Trailer for rent. I am home.
Art Davis, Moraga
