A girl – her name escapes John, but she haunts him often – is crying because Martin Hickey calls her Fish Lips.
John feels sorry for her, but he’s desperate to fit in.
So he points and laughs too.
…
This is the fifty-first story in the series of Humpbuckle Tales. Each story is precisely 50 words long. They are meant to be independent stories, but if you read them all you will find each one adds another piece to the puzzle – there is a bigger story that is being told.
John sits on the bench overlooking the churning battleship-grey sea below.
“It’s hard sometimes,” he says. “You are my only true friend. “
Kipper whines. Perhaps in agreement, more likely because he wants to walk or play ball.
John hasn’t heard from Janey for months.
She’s not returning his calls.
…
This is the forty-sixth story in the series of Humpbuckle Tales. Each story is precisely 50 words long. They are meant to be independent stories, but if you read them all you will find each one adds another piece to the puzzle – there is a bigger story that is being told.
This story was first published on my Hive blog (@felt.buzz) and you can find all the stories on the @humbuckletales Hive account – at the time of posting this I have just published Tale number 99. On Hive I publish 12 stories per week (Monday to Saturday one story per day and then six 50-word stories in one post on a Sunday).
John weaves his way through the morning traffic on his second hand bike when Janey calls.
He’s been expecting it, ever since Janey brought Brad to meet him, but it still bites when she tells him she’s engaged.
“I’m happy for you.”
It isn’t a lie.
He’s sad for himself.
…
This is the forty-fifth story in the series of Humpbuckle Tales. Each story is precisely 50 words long. They are meant to be independent stories, but if you read them all you will find each one adds another piece to the puzzle – there is a bigger story that is being told.
This story was first published on my Hive blog (@felt.buzz) and you can find all the stories on the @humbuckletales Hive account – at the time of posting this I have just published Tale number 98. On Hive I publish 12 stories per week (Monday to Saturday one story per day and then six 50-word stories in one post on a Sunday).
John has been living in Humpbuckle-on-sea for six months and he loves and hates it in equal measures.
“I love you, Janey,” he says. “And that’s why I’m telling you no. We work better as friends.”
Janey pouts but John knows she’s relieved.
…
This is the forty-forth story in the series of Humpbuckle Tales. Each story is precisely 50 words long. They are meant to be independent stories, but if you read them all you will find each one adds another piece to the puzzle – there is a bigger story that is being told.
This story was first published on my Hive blog (@felt.buzz) and you can find all the stories on the @humbuckletales Hive account – at the time of posting this I have just published Tale number 87. On Hive I publish 12 stories per week (Monday to Saturday one story per day and then six 50-word stories in one post on a Sunday).
Over brunch, two weeks after the accident, John announces he’s found a job by the coast.
“I’ll come too,” Janey says, but both of them know it’s the guilt talking. She’d hate living away from her London friends and family.
Their already fraught relationship couldn’t survive.
They split up, amicably.
…
This is the forty-third story in the series of Humpbuckle Tales. Each story is precisely 50 words long. They are meant to be independent stories, but if you read them all you will find each one adds another piece to the puzzle – there is a bigger story that is being told.
This story was first published on my Hive blog (@felt.buzz) and you can find all the stories on the @humbuckletales Hive account – at the time of posting this I have just published Tale number 86. On Hive I publish 12 stories per week (Monday to Saturday one story per day and then six 50-word stories in one post on a Sunday).
Driving home late, after an argument with his girlfriend, he hits a patch of black ice. Losing control, the car skids into a ditch.
A tree branch smashes through the windscreen, an inch from his head.
Waiting for rescue, John decides to make changes.
…
This is the forty-second story in the series of Humpbuckle Tales. Each story is precisely 50 words long. They are meant to be independent stories, but if you read them all you will find each one adds another piece to the puzzle – there is a bigger story that is being told.
This story was first published on my Hive blog (@felt.buzz) and you can find all the stories on the @humbuckletales Hive account – at the time of posting this I have just published Tale number 85. On Hive I publish 12 stories per week (Monday to Saturday one story per day and then six 50-word stories in one post on a Sunday).
John doesn’t originate from Humpbuckle-on-sea, a fact he’s reminded of, whenever he proposes a change the locals don’t like.
“It wouldn’t work. Not here. You don’t understand, you’re not Humpbucklen.”
“It makes my blood boil,” he complains to his dog.
Kipper – Humpbuckle born and bred – just stares back.
…
This is the forty-first story in the series of Humpbuckle Tales. Each story is precisely 50 words long. They are meant to be independent stories, but if you read them all you will find each one adds another piece to the puzzle – there is a bigger story that is being told.
This story was first published on my Hive blog (@felt.buzz) and you can find all the stories on the @humbuckletales Hive account – at the time of posting this I have just published Tale number 76. On Hive I publish 12 stories per week (Monday to Saturday one story per day and then six 50-word stories in one post on a Sunday).
John’s old knee injury usually doesn’t bother him, but today he can barely walk.
From the window of the osteopath’s waiting room, he spies his boss kissing a woman.
It’s not Mrs Simmons.
John snaps a photo.
He feels guilty, uncomfortable.
But having something on Mayor Simmons might be useful.
…
This is the fourteenth in the series of Humpbuckle Tales. Each story is precisely 50 words long. They are meant to be independent stories, but if you read them all you will find each one adds another piece to the puzzle – there is a bigger story that is being told.
This story was first published on my Hive blog (@felt.buzz) and you can find all the stories on the @humbuckletales Hive account – at the time of posting this I have just published 6 more Humpbuckle Tale there (so we are up to number 24). On Hive I publish 12 stories per week (Monday to Saturday one story per day and then six 50-word stories in one post on a Sunday).
If you prefer the drip drip drip approach keep coming back here for one 50-word tale every day!
Welcome to Humpbuckle-on-sea! In this small coastal town there are many stories to tell. Humpbuckle Tales will tell them… 50 words at a time.
My name is Bruce, I’m also known as Felt.Buzz. One of my creative passions is writing and I really enjoy writing microfiction: very short stories.
Humpbuckle Tales are tiny stories, comprising only fifty words. They don’t take very long to read (around 10 to 20 seconds!) but they do take quite a long time to write (sometimes several hours).
Each fifty-word story is written to tell a tale independent of the others.
But, as they say, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
Each fifty-word story is part of a bigger tale. The characters are linked. The stories are connected.
You’ll find a new fifty-word Humpbuckle Tale every day (Monday to Saturday) on the Hive blog and on Sunday there will be six new fifty word stories.
You will also find the stories here, at humpbuckletales.com, one story per day, 7 days a week.
If you are watching this on YouTube and like the video please give it a thumbs up (if you hate it feel free to give it a thumbs down).
Let me know in the comments what you liked and what you didn’t. Can you see how these stories may be linked? Let me know what you think is going on.
Humpbuckle Tales 