Six Word Story

I came. I saw. I conquered. 

               (Veni. Vidi. Vici.) 

Julius Caesar may have written the first six word story in 47 B.C.  He used the sentence as the full text of his message to the Roman senate. It describes his victory over Pharnaces II of Pontus in the battle of Zela (today’s Turkey).

Apparently Ernest Hemingway ran out of money in a bar one night. He called the owner over and said if he wrote a story in six words would that pay his bill?  He said if he signed it, the story would be more valuable than what his drinking cost that night.   

Hemingway wrote.  For sale: baby shoes. Never used. He won the bet.

Examples of six sentence stories:

           

Dad called. DNA back. He isn’t.   - Helen Fielding

They awaited sunrise. It never came. - AS Byatt

The earth?  We ate it yesterday. - Yann Martel

Nessie discovered. Bigfoot jealous. Press conference.  - Nate Brown

Nomad meets gypsy. They both settle.  - Cameron Graham

Try a few six word stories. Maybe they will show you the way into additional development?

The Moment of Surprise

The mystery of life is not a problem to be solved; it is a reality to be experienced.

- J.J. van der Leeuw

Wolf moon shines in morning hours.

"To explore is to travel without a hypothesis." - Don Walsh

Walsh says, "You can't surprise a machine. And it is this capacity to appreciate the unknown, to be surprised by it, he believes will always set the human explorer apart from the machine."

The moment of surprise informs of nature's wonders.

Stay curious and aware; eager for moments.

Find surprises.

Happy 2021

Two seeds settled side by side in the earth. The first seed shouted, "I want to grow and send my roots deep into the soil. Then I'll push my sprouts through the earth above so I can feel the sun on my face and dew on my petals."  She grew.

The second seed whined, "I m afraid. If I send my roots into the dark ground I don't know what I'l find.  If I push my delicate sprouts upward, I may damage them in the hard soil. I'll wait till it's safe."  She waited.

A hen wandered in, scratched around for food, found the waiting seed and ate it.

For 2021. 

     Don't get gobbled up. Take chances to grow and shine in the light. Avoid procrastination. 

Forget New Year's resolutions. Do it NOW.  Amaze yourself today and every day.