Short Prose

Desperate Times

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

This is The Unicorn Challenge
where we are encouraged to write
a story in 250 words or less using
the photo below as inspiration.
This is my story.

© Ayr/Gray

Della was excited as she arrived at the exclusive hotel overlooking the ocean. She had dreamed of this getaway for months. After settling into her room, she went to check out the rooftop pool.

She was surprised to find the place deserted. The sun shone brightly; it was the perfect time to relax. With no one around, Della decided to sunbathe in the nude. After a quick look around to make sure she was indeed alone, she stripped off her swimsuit.

Finding a comfortable spot on a soft lounge chair, Della laid back, feeling the warm sun on her skin. She closed her eyes, the sound of the distant ocean waves lulling her to sleep. Feeling completely at ease, Della started dozing off. Suddenly a noise startled her; a group of people were arriving at the pool deck. Her heart raced. She had not expected company and realized she needed to cover up quickly.

Della jumped up and looked around for her swimsuit but it was not where she left it. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she spotted a seagull perched on the ledge of the roof, her swimsuit dangling from its beak! She lunged at the gull but it quickly flew off … with her suit!

As the group of people drew nearer, Della became desperate to get out of there. She  panicked, picked up her large straw hat and quickly covered her, um, embarrassment. She sprinted for the exit door as gales of laughter filled the air.

NAR©2025
250 Words

This is “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini”  by Bryan Hyland

The Unicorn Challenge-13/06/25

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for Nancy’s Notes 🖊️🎶, The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk, The Rhythm Section, et al., and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.

41 thoughts on “Desperate Times”

  1. Dude! Way to timejack the more hypo-youthful among your Readers!

    lol I heard it as a new song in a time when bikinae were radical fashion and the radio was mostly AM and… novelty songs!! aiiyeee talk about musicological wastelands

    a few changes in the culture since that song came out*

    *’dropped’ in 21st C lingo

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  14. My mother invented a gull that told her whenever hier children misbehaved.
    ‘Jock the Seagull told me!’
    I suspect this one was a descendent of Jock.
    They really are quite brazen these days.
    And maybe Della should have been too – just invited the others to join her!
    Still smiling at the story, Nancy.

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    1. After reading about ‘Jock the Seagull’, I think I’d be paranoid of every seagull I saw!
      You’re right about them being brazen; I’ve seen them fly off with hats, food, and even someone’s car keys as they dozed on a beach blanket! I wonder where those keys ended up.
      I like your idea of inviting the others to join in. The truth becomes quite obvious when we’re naked!
      Thanks for your comments and sharing your thoughts, Jenne.

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