100-word Tales
The Fox and the Lizard I
The Fox asked the Lizard to teach her the secrets of his agility. The Lizard gave a long lecture and demonstrated all his dodges and swerves. To conclude, the Lizard said:
“If despite all this I end up being caught, I make my escape by shedding my tail.”
“But surely if you are caught, you were not so nimble after all?” asked the Fox, and left.
The Fox and the Lizard II
The Fox asked the Lizard to teach her the secrets of his agility. The Lizard gave a long lecture and demonstrated all his dodges and swerves. To conclude, the Lizard said:
“If despite all this I end up being caught, I make my escape by shedding my tail.”
“A fox would never give up her tail!” snorted the Fox, and left.
Fiery Fred and Sparky Sam
A large bonfire was blazing away, lashing flames up to the sky. The heat made the firewood crackle and pop, shooting out sparks which rose from the flames as bright-red dots against the background of the black starry sky.
“Yeehaw! Watch me soar towards the stars,” shrieked Fiery Fred. “Can you feel the heat within you, my friend?”
“Yes, brother,” answered Sparky Sam. “I am ablaze with passion. Life is here and now!”
“Sisters, brothers, let us rise up! This is our time!” hollered Fiery Fred.
“Life lasts but a moment, but it burns ever so brightly,” stated Sparky Sam.
They glowed in the night together with thousands of their kin. Then they went out as swiftly as they had appeared. The same happened to every spark until finally everything had burnt out and turned to ash.
The stars, meanwhile, continued to shine and did not forget those who had briefly challenged them.