High above her head, the twine pulled taught and a tiny brass bell began to ring.
ting. ting. tingggg.
“Another one!”
Excitedly, Denta leapt up and reached for the tweed sack that lay at her feet. The moonlight around her became speckled with silver and gold dust as she rustled her plump form to attention.
Dust.
Wings.
Silver…
She held her breath and waited as her heels slowly lifted from the floor, then her tippy toes. Quietly, softly, she began to rise, out the open window and towards the huge glowing moon, her wings leading the way.
The crisp air tickled her nose as she rose up and down with the night zephyrs of summer.
Within minutes Denta hovered outside the window and peeked through the blinds. She watched carefully and counted.
One… two… three… ten… twelve…
She looked for the familiar rhythmic breathing and twitching and then reached into her sack. With a dash of glitter at the window, she flit through the pane and softly landed next to the sleeping babe’s ear.
Carefully, she wedged herself under the pillow and searched for the treasure, the reason why she was there tonight. Being so small, this took a couple of minutes of careful prodding before she could locate the tiny pearl. Until…
There it is!
A perfectly chipped and shiny tooth, evidence of the first 5 years of one little life.
Stemming her excitement, she quickly swapped the tooth for a silver coin and scuttled back the way she came.
Looking back over her shoulder, she held her breath and slowly rose up into the air, towards the window, and out into the night air.
Source: Aaron Pocock (click image for link)
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This week I participated in a flash fiction challenge from The Red Dress Club.
Here’s the prompt: Flash Fiction can be fun and a real challenge. This week focus on the words and the strength of each to contribute to your story. Write a 300 word piece using the following word for inspiration: LIFE.
Anna lost her second tooth today and this small piece captures what is going on in our lives right now, a little visit by the Tooth Fairy, whom I will call Denta.
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
300 words full of wow! Great writing.
Thanks Tina. I think it’s nice to have to write shorter pieces sometimes but I really don’t know if this is what we were supposed to do.
I love the magic, the whimsy, the fun- all in under 300 words! And yes, for sure, this *is* life!
And this? “The moonlight around her became speckled with silver and gold dust ” pure magic!
Is there a difference between a short story and flash fiction? I have no idea what I’m doing here. Thanks for reading Galit!
So lovely! You might have inspired me to do the prompt. One question: Are you Denta?
A fairy never reveals her true identity.
I’m with Galit—the first word I thought of when I read this was “magic.” Exquisite piece, my dear. You did a tremendous job with 300 words. Not a single wasted word. Very descriptive/detailed. LOVE IT!
Thanks Erin! I really appreciate it. I wasn’t sure if this was what flash fiction was. Can’t wait to read everyone else’s.
This was wonderful. A beautiful, magical vignette
I loved the imagery you created with Denta getting ready for flight
I really enjoyed this. I like that your fairy is something of an adventurer, but you thought about the actual work it would be for a tiny fairy. I like how you used the tooth as proof of something vital for Denta, when to us, a lost tooth is seen as something dead.
How unique! I so love the enchanting way you have put this all together. Takes me back to what my mind would have thought as a child! Excellently done!
Thanks Erin – I like fairies, might have to write more of them.
I loved the fantasy and wonder of this piece. An imaginative perspective on the prompt.
Now this just made me smile! What a lovely and magical little story. I loved your description of her flight…made me think, “has she flown herself?” It was just that good! Nice response to the prompt!
Stopping by from TRDC.
I wish I’d flown – I know some people that have flying dreams – I wish I was one of them!
I’m with Erin! Enchanting is the word.
Loved that you named the tooth fairy Denta!
A sweet story that I’ll have to read to my 5-year-old daughter tomorrow!
Am honored that you will share it with your daughter! thanks for stopping by!