Most people have heard of Ernest Hemingway’s famous six word story—“For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” Although it’s short, it still packs an emotional punch. I became fascinated with the idea of writing a story in fewer words than it takes most people to order pizza, so I decided to explore the Internet in search of more.
I was in luck; in 2008, Pete Berg launched the site “sixwordstories.net”, which is a collection of six word short stories submitted by readers. I went through all 120 pages of the site and picked my 40 favorites, presented here for your reading pleasure.
- Dot in the sky. Dead pixel.
- “Wrong number,” says a familiar voice.
- Selling parachute: never opened, slightly stained.
- Three blind mice, one happy cat.
- Sandcastle for sale. Limited time offer.
- Suicidal arsonist burned at the stake.
- Five armed vampires enter blood bank.
- Goodbye, mission control. Thanks for trying.
- TSA dropout becomes celebrated proctologist.
- Won food fight—used canned vegetables.
- Millions gathered protesting death. God laughed.
- Columbus tumbles off world. King refunded.
- 365 Apples. My annual insurance policy.
- War. Just cause? Or just ‘cause?
- From ugly duckling to beautiful cassoulet.
- Grandchildren are the proof of immortality.
- New stylist. New cut. New hat.
- Super cheap guitar; no strings attached!
- The smallest coffins are the heaviest.
- Illiterate pirate digs under the “Y”.
- Loved her enough to pretend otherwise.
- Murder weapon found, reward for owner.
- Deleted his number. Memorized it first.
- World’s second-oldest person gets promoted.
- Vain vampire adores void in mirror.
- Bearded pensioner held over yuletide break-ins.
- Buried on Monday. Died on Tuesday.
- I went clubbing. Softest coat ever.
- Asthmatic glassblower only makes shot glasses.
- Streets full of water. Please advise.
Note: This is an actual telegram someone (jokingly) sent when visiting Venice for the first time.
- Saint Peter turned the Pope away.
- Remove warning labels. Survival of the fittest.
- Tree hugger meets cactus. Reconsiders practice.
- Obituary column writer dies. Nobody notices.
- Human genome patented. Sex considered piracy.
- Time traveller dies tragically (1967-1608).
- “Who are you?” asked the dead atheist.
- Sorry soldier, shoes sold in pairs.
- Hold me tight; the meteor’s close.
- For sale: Hemingway book, never opened.
Do you think you could do better? Write your own six-word-story and leave it in the comments!