A metaphor on critiquing I walked home from work. A man in a grey suit approached me. ‘It may be better to find another route,’ he said. ‘There’s a roadblock ahead. Besides, the other streets have nicer views.’ I followed his advice and strolled back to the side street I’d…

Based on a true story that happend in my family some 50 years ago. Two days after my fourth birthday, my parents hired a housekeeper. Mrs. Chambers came over three times a week, for six years, and never once smiled. She put on her apron, did her work and left…

What could happen if your name is not your true name. My name is Yallah. I never had to think about it before, but today something strange happened–someone gave me another name. As usual, I awoke when the rooster three doors down started to crow. With a watchful eye, I…

The simple act of buying bread can be a story worth reading. Yesterday morning, I opened my fridge to find there was no more bread. I hadn’t eaten since 8 p.m. the previous evening and I was starving. …

About living in a country where locks are not always needed. ‘Why?’ a man asked. The voice came somewhere from above and behind me, just when I squadded down next to my bicycle. I tried to move my head and look up simultaneously, but the muscles in my neck refused…

Your fate is sealed. Your working days are over. What do you do with your time? Pilates? Workouts? Swimming? Or do you gorge on your favorite foods? Twenty-four hours a day… I am dying. There you have it. In a nutshell: a malignant brain tumor, two months tops–if I’m lucky…

Today’s flash fiction was written by Timia Breederveld. It’s a humorous look at life in Egypt, based on a true story, with Timia’s wit hovering on the edges. A small boy came running from the desert. “The street’s on fire!” “Did you hear that?” Mohammed stepped out of the tiny…