In my first attempt at a YouTube video, I brought up the topic of the iStory. This new form of literature is meant for people who want to read very very short stories.
Very, very short.
The iStory is to be 150 words, max. Just long enough that someone can read the whole thing on the screen of their smartphone.
In that video, I said I would write an example of an iStory in a future blog post, to show what this medium looks like.
So I took about ten minutes this morning to come up with this:
Too Nice
We’ve visited the lonely man a few times, bringing homemade cookies and light conversation. A smile to brighten his day.
Our visits make him happy. He has candy for the kids. Tells me I’m beautiful. The smell of cheap cologne clings to my hair and neck. I wonder who he tries to smell good for. I think, in horror, could it be me? I suggest he ask some of the ladies in the senior’s home for hugs, but he says he’s not interested.
He keeps coming by. The visits have to stop. He’s getting too comfortable.
Someone told him he was being inappropriate. My heart breaks for him, though. More even than before. He doesn’t stop by anymore. Won’t look me in the eye.
In high school, my friends would accuse me of being too nice. Maybe they were right. But then again, maybe not.
My husband hates the whole idea of the iStory. I’m not sure how I feel about it (except that all things that encourage reading are good). What do you think?
I’m not a big fan of stories that short, but this one has it all, as my English teacher Mrs. MacIsaac (no relation) used to say: Just like a good lemon pie, a story should have a solid bottom, an appealing top, and something good in the middle!
Cheers, although yes, the subject is heartbreaking, and sometimes life sucks.
Looking forward to more!!