Tiny stories – Short Stories

Vulnerable

Posted on Jul 29, 2026Jul 20, 2026 by Shaily Agrawal

The vulnerability is eating at me.

I had spent years building this tree trunk around myself, until what was supposed to clothe me became a fortress. The trunk was thick and unbending. I was safe from prying eyes.

It was lonely but it seemed worthwhile.

I was free to wield my magic however I wanted. No one could criticise me. No one remembered it was me. I was safe. Comfortable.

The world outside went on without me until they had all but forgotten me. I would make Spring, I would call on Summer and Autumn, I would call on new leaves once Winter was over. Over and over and over…

There was nothing to look forward to.

When the storm this morning broke my tree, suddenly, the entire forest was looking at me with curiosity, wondering what to make of me–trees, birds, squirrels and predators alike.

Once again, I was bare…open to everyone’s scrutiny–raw and vulnerable.

I was finally free.

This is a photo-prompt story. Thank you Mohammad Gh for the amazing picture (available on Unsplash.com).

Fiction, Tiny stories

In the Moment

Posted on Jul 27, 2026Jul 17, 2026 by Shaily Agrawal

I’m still groggy from sleep. If it’s a complimentary drink from the hotel, what is it doing in my bed? With a flower and without a tray? Right next to my phone?

Is it room service? But how come they didn’t knock at the door? And why didn’t I hear the door open?

No, it can’t be room service…

From my vantage point on the bed, I can’t see the rest of the suite. But I can hear someone’s rummaging through the drawers next door. Should I scream? What if they are carrying weapons…

I look around for my purse. I always kept a pepper spray when I went out. But the purse I see is not mine. Whose purse is this and what do they want anyway. It’s not like I’m carrying a lot of cash. Or am I?

What did I carry here?

Where is ‘here’ anyway? What am I doing in a hotel room?

Shuffling of feet has me tensed all over. I want to slink back inside my fluffy blanket, but my hands feel like they are made of lead. And they have wrinkles…

When did I get wrinkles?

A familiar wrinkled face slides into the room with a smile that takes my breath away. Yet again. The cobwebs in my mind clear.

“Happy 50th Anniversary, Honey!”

Author’s note: This is a photo-prompt story. Thank you Susan Wilkinson for the inspiring photograph (available on Unsplash).

Nature stories, Tiny stories

Runaway

Posted on Jul 10, 2026 by Shaily Agrawal

If only I can reach the side before she can get a hold of me…

The Wicked Witch of the West has nothing on this crazy woman–the way she laughs after pulling me in the river!

Someone SAVE ME!

Author’s note: A photo-prompt story–Thank you, Karsten Winegeart for the inspiring photo (available on Unsplash.com)

Fiction, Tiny stories

Colourful

Posted on Jul 4, 2026Jul 3, 2026 by Shaily Agrawal

I felt utterly lonely as I stood at the door of the old age home.

No one was around except a gentleman reading a newspaper. A lonely cup sat in front of him on an Italian coffee table. It was white as his snowy hair, a bit of coffee still left within—like his wizened eyes that now held mischief, “New girl, eh?”

Gallantly, he stood up—though it took him some effort—and took my bags from my wrinkled hands. Smiling, he offered me his arm and walked me indoors, “Join me for a cup of coffee before the other single boys swoop in?”

I blushed as I nodded.

I was sixteen again.

Fiction, Tiny stories

Deep Within

Posted on May 22, 2026May 21, 2026 by Shaily Agrawal

He threw the trophy on the floor—useless piece of metal!

Can’t even sell the stupid thing to buy his family a meal. Should have taken a waiter’s job instead of playing football all these years—it would have paid the bills. Heck! He would look for a job today.

Meaning to throw it out of the window, he picked up the trophy…but, eyes glistening, hugged it tight instead.

Author’s note: This is a 5-minute photo-prompt story. I started with a trophy lying on the bed and what I saw, what seemed to be missing and what it made me feel. And Bingo!

Thanks to Robin Edqvist for an amazing photo (found on Unsplash).

Fiction, Tiny stories