Short Story

This was one of the creative writing prompts on the website. The guidelines basically were to write a mini story (300 words or less) using the following words: paper clips, principal, lunchbox, swing, and a girl with a pink ribbon. My story is more than 300 words but less than 400.


The principal kept herself busy in her office. She had been in such a hurry to get to school on time that she had forgotten to open the letter from her mom. Remembering now, she went to her purse and grabbed the card. Once settled back at her desk, she opened it. She was surprised to find a picture on top of the letter. It had been attached by two paper clips but now lay there freely. She picked up the picture and stared at it closely. It was a picture of a girl with a pink ribbon in her hair and a pink dress sitting on a swing with two people kneeling on each side of her. She could remember that day clearly in her head…

The girl dashed out of the car as soon as it was in park. They were finally here, she thought. The park was her favorite place in the whole world. She ran over to the nearest swing on the swing-set, threw her lunchbox on the ground and got on the swing. “Mommy, daddy, come push me on the swing,” she yelled.

They were taking their time to walk over to her, hand in hand. Once they reached her, they took turns pushing her on the swing. She felt some happy to be here with them and enjoy the beautiful day. “Let me get a picture,” her dad said. He took out his camera. A stranger just happened to be walking by and told them he would take the picture so the three of them could be in it. The parents both knelt down and posed with their daughter. “Cheese,” they cried as the picture was taken.

The principal jumped when she was brought back to reality by the bell signaling the end of the school day. She wiped away a tear that she had not even known had been shed. She smiled. Ah to have been young and care free, those were the days, she thought. She sighed and slipped on her coat, tucking the picture in her back pocket. She was off to meet her husband and daughter for dinner in the park. She hopped her daughter would have as good of a childhood as she had.