2024 February Flash Fiction Challenge: Day 4

For today’s prompt, let’s let a story bloom out of format. Write a story in the form of a museum exhibit placard.

Remember: These prompts are just starting points; you have the freedom to go wherever your flash of inspiration takes you.

(Note: If your story gets flagged for review, be patient—we will be releasing comments every few hours throughout the weekdays of this challenge. Our system randomly flags comments for review, so just sit tight and wait for us to set it free! If you run into any other issues with posting your story, please just send me an e-mail at mrichard@aimmedia.com with the subject line: Flash Fiction Challenge Commenting Issue.)

Here’s my attempt at a story written as a museum placard:

Almost Toddler

(American, b. 2023)

“No,” 2024

Sweat, tears, and the unfathomable rage of the very young

This piece represents the transition from baby to toddler: The 9-month-old has her head thrown back, face red and wet with tears. Beside her, her mother is trying to distract her with an octopus teething toy in one hand while with the other discarding a hairball the baby found under the sofa behind them. Audiences are frozen with them, suspended in a moment that feels endless for so many reasons.