This is my 200th Friday Fictioneers story, each one exactly 100 words. I started doing these over six years ago, but I took a break for most of the last two years, which is why I’m only reaching this number now.
I decided to go through the Friday Fictioneers stories I did in the past and pick my top five stories. I came up with 22 favorites, but narrowed it down to 10. If you have been reading for a while, you might remember some of these. Here they are in chronological order:
1. The Wrong Tourist (#11) (This was the first one that used a picture I submitted)
2. Knick-Knack Paddy Whack (#40)
3. The Dog, the Clubhouse, and the Cookies (#53)
4. What Does This Button Do? (#61)
5. Jasper’s Lamp (#62)
6. Fructocidal (#63)
7. The Last Few Seconds (#64)
8. A Bad Car Dynamic (#127)
9. Desertedmoonlitclearing.com (#139)
10. Prodigal (#181)
And now, this week’s story.
copyright Sandra Crook
Baby Balloons
Finally, the loom stopped.
“That’s the last one,” Mrs. Arane said. She sighed.
Her assistant Cyclosa pointed to the hundreds of shroud-white balloons along the walls. “You made them well.”
“What if they get hungry during the flight?” Mrs. Arane sniffed.
“They’ll be okay.”
Mrs. Arane wiped her eyes. “Some of them.”
“Children, come get your balloons!” Cyclosa called. She grabbed four balloons in four of her limbs.
The baby spiders lined up, bouncing with excitement. One by one, they took a balloon and, waving goodbye, launched themselves into the open air.
Mrs. Arane watched with tears and a smile.
The Green-Walled Tower 
March 27th, 2019 at 11:43 am
You promise quirky, and this story certainly delivers on that. A delightfully different take on the prompt! I like the way you catch the need for parents to release their children, and the mixed feelings that engenders. I liked the names, too!
March 27th, 2019 at 11:48 am
Thanks! I wanted to find something arachnid without being too obvious about it. 🙂
March 27th, 2019 at 11:49 am
That was an interestingly different take
March 27th, 2019 at 12:04 pm
Nice personification
March 27th, 2019 at 12:24 pm
Excellent, David. Now I get her name.
200 FF Stories, nice. I’ve never counted mine. I started exactly seven years ago on the 24th of March. Like you, I’ve taken breaks, but always come back. It’s fun to look at the side of your page and see so many familiar faces.
March 27th, 2019 at 5:35 pm
That really makes it sound like fun! Congrats on making it to 200, an impressive body of work!
March 27th, 2019 at 7:40 pm
What a wonderful take, Stewart! And exactly how baby spiders make their way to new “homes”!
March 28th, 2019 at 2:00 am
I can see this as a children’s story with pictures.
March 28th, 2019 at 4:59 am
Dear David,
My mind went to Charlotte’s Web. I can see Wilbur bidding the little balloons goodbye. As with that story, you almost make me feel sympathetic to spiders. Notice I said “almost”. If I catch one of those babies in my house, it will find its way under my shoe. That being said, I love your story and am happy to see you back in the fold. 😀
I’ve never counted how many Friday Fictioneers stories I’ve written. I started 7 years ago on April 12th So my anniversary is approaching. While I haven’t missed a week since I started, I have posted a few reruns. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
April 4th, 2019 at 7:46 pm
You must be nearing 400 stories by now. Congratulations on keeping the group going for so long. You are a great person to have at the helm.
March 28th, 2019 at 6:35 am
What a delightful read! Congrat’s on your accomplishemnt~!
March 28th, 2019 at 7:56 am
Even spiders have to let go of their young 🙂
April 1st, 2019 at 6:59 pm
Wonderfully imaginative!
Good to read you here 🙂
April 4th, 2019 at 7:41 pm
Thanks, Dawn. It’s good to be back. I’ve always liked being part of Friday Fictioneers.
April 2nd, 2019 at 12:31 am
Wonderfully imaginative. I just love the whole idea. And congratulations on 200 stories. It’s a great thing to participate in, isn’t it.
April 4th, 2019 at 7:41 pm
Thanks, Margaret! This is a good group and it’s good writing discipline to limit yourself to 100 words.
April 5th, 2019 at 4:16 am
I loved this…love the title. This is your niche my friend, kindness and grace seen through the eyes of the bighearted. You look at everything that way, with innocence and wonder. A first rate imagination even Dr. Suess couldn’t rival.
April 16th, 2019 at 8:29 pm
Thank you, my friend. I really appreciate your comments.
April 17th, 2019 at 4:30 am
I’m your biggest fan there pal…always remember that…:)