The Art of Brevity: A Story in 50 Words

A year ago, I took part in an online writing competition called ‘#50PreciousWords’, hosted by the wonderful children’s writer, Vivian Kirkfield. The rules of the contest sounded relatively simple, but were actually pretty tricky to carry out: Write a complete story with a beginning, middle and end in 50 words or under. The point of the exercise was learning to make every word count – no wasted words allowed!

I was delighted to receive an honourable mention for my entry, entitled: ‘The Busy Blackbird’, which I managed to whittle down to 49 words! Phew!

I hope you enjoy it!

Stuck in bed,
With a broken leg.
Lonely.
Bored.
Then, I saw her,
A bird!
Flitting,
Flapping,
Food in her beak,
Feeding her nestlings
For over two weeks.
Tireless provider,
I watched her with wonder,
‘Till the time came to fly,
For the fledglings and I,

Hello blue sky!