Flash, Mini Story, Word Prompt, Writing Prompts

The Diagnosis

Written for Esther’s “Can You Tell A Story In”
exactly 59 words using the six prompt words
shown below. In exactly 59 words, here’s my flash.

psychosomatic – cancel – accountant
fluff – reggae – needlepoint

Image by Me & ChatGPT

My accountant called to cancel our meeting. “Stress,” he said. “The doctor thinks it’s psychosomatic.”

I found him later that afternoon on his porch, doing needlepoint …. a palm tree, mid-sway …. while reggae drifted from an old radio.

Fluff,” his wife whispered to me, smiling. “He just needed an excuse to finally slow down.”

So did we all.

NAR©2026
59 Words

This is “The 59th Street Bridge Song” by Simon & Garfunkel

Everything on The Elephant’s Trunk was created by me, unless otherwise indicated. If there’s something you would like to use, ask me; if I think it’s appropriate, I will usually agree. Thanks for your consideration. NAR©2017-present.

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