At the end of last year, I participated in a “Microfiction” writing competition through NYC Midnight. Stories had to be 250(!) words or less, and use an assigned genre, word, and action. Writers had 24hrs to complete their story entries. I enjoyed the challenge.
This was my entry for the First Round. Genre: Fairytale; Action: Baking a Pie; Word: Guard
Flash Fiction written by Stefanie Gilmour
The Story
Once upon a time, there lived a baker. Her pies were so delectable, when the prince was to marry, the king ordered her to make twenty-four pies in twenty-four hours. The baker set to work creating crusts, filling pies, and baking each in the large oven.
The baker had a daughter who wished to become a knight and protect the kingdom. The girl rode her stick horse into the kitchen, and found her mother distressed. “What worries you?” she asked.
“If the pies are not ready, I will be banished,” the baker fretted. “Recently, at night, a goblin comes to the village to steal food. I’ll not have time to replace pies!”
“I will guard the pies, mother!” the daughter declared, holding aloft her wooden sword.
That evening, a goblin crept into the home, drawn by the aroma of fresh pies. From hiding, the girl saw the hideous creature and trembled.
She stepped forward. “Halt! Do not take the pies. You will seal Mother’s fate.”
“I care not of your mother, only the fullness of my belly,” snarled the goblin.
“Then spare the best pie,” the daughter pleaded.
“Which is the best pie?!” demanded the goblin. “I will have it!”
“You cannot! It still bubbles in the oven,” she said.
The goblin flung open the oven door, and the girl jabbed him with her sword. The creature fell into the fiery oven and was no more.
The pies were safe, and the baker and her daughter lived happily ever after.