I recently came across Hemmingway’s six-word story which comprised of “For sale: baby shoes, never worn”. Just those six small words and it just opens this whole story in the mind of the reader. A sense of mystery is created along with a possible sense of tragedy. Or another way of thinking about it, maybe it’s a case of comical mixup of gifts? Possibilities are endless and I thought such a well-written “short story” is absolutely brilliant.

As nicked from Wired here are six-worded stories from sci-fi writers:

Failed SAT. Lost scholarship. Invented rocket.
- William Shatner

Computer, did we bring batteries? Computer?
- Eileen Gunn

Vacuum collision. Orbits diverge. Farewell, love.
- David Brin

Gown removed carelessly. Head, less so.
- Joss Whedon

Automobile warranty expires. So does engine.
- Stan Lee

Machine. Unexpectedly, I’d invented a time
- Alan Moore

Longed for him. Got him. Shit.
- Margaret Atwood

His penis snapped off; he’s pregnant!
- Rudy Rucker

From torched skyscrapers, men grew wings.
- Gregory Maguire

Internet “wakes up?” Ridicu - no carrier.
- Charles Stross

So you readers! Using only six-words, make up a story! While hypenated words are to be considered one word, only accepted ones would count, no-one-cheat-like-this. :P There’s no limit to what kind of category, language (though provide a translation in English) or punctuation use. The comments have been open, if you’re more comfortable with being anonymous, feel free to remain so. :)

Here’s mine:

“Checked stove?” “… SHIT!” House burns down.

Small person. Ring. Dragon. Elves. Money.