A child’s letter to a butterfly (flash fiction)

Dear Butterfly,

When my grandmother died, I learned something new from my friends:
When a moth or a butterfly enters a house, a dearly departed visits.
From now on, I will not catch nor kill you whenever you come inside our home.

I would confess something I’m not too proud to admit.
Last year, I caught plenty of our relatives;
I thought they were Pokémons.
I’m so sorry, I didn’t know yet.

I hope you’ll forgive me.

Your little brother,
Allen

Writing Prompt: Writing 101: To Whom it May Concern (Assignment No. 13)

When I lost something, I found a hidden treasure (Part Two of Three)

When I was ten, I broke my left arm. I left the varsity since I can’t baseball for two months. Though my left hand is useless, I wanted to be active as much as possible. I didn’t know that with the freak accident, I would discover a special talent in playing chess. In the fourth grade, I started playing competitive chess. Without formal training, our team entered the finals. That’s already a great achievement. Too bad, we just couldn’t win our matches since our opponent blanked us, 4-0. A silver medal? Not bad for a first timer.

During the vacation, the sports coordinator would invite me to join the summer chess clinic. From baseball, I would then join the chess team until I graduate in high school. I would bag medals every year. In studies, I would notice a sudden increase in my Math and English grades. I know there’s a scientific explanation for this.

Years later, I fractured the same arm as a teenager. This would leave its form grotesque and smaller compared to my right arm. That time, I can’t swim or play basketball. So, what did the fifteen year-old boy do when he can’t do extraneous physical activities? Just play chess.

But the following year, I would then give up this hidden treasure that I found. Circumstances would help me retire in competitive chess.

To be continued…

Writing Prompt: Writing 101 — Serially Found (Assignment Thirteen)

The unreturned book (A flash fiction)

There are some books I wouldn’t read.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not too picky with books.
Before I read, I read the synopsis at the back.
Taking time getting to know what it is about.

Like this girl I’ve known since childhood.
I took my time getting to know her well.
But one thing’s for sure: books served as our bridge to each other.

There are books that I don’t like that she reads.
There are books I like that she disdains.
We saw each other’s differences with the books we read.
Nevertheless, we practice arguing with books.

But one day, she borrowed my latest set of books by Murakami.
Said she’s going to read it while waiting for the plane.
Told me to wait, don’t rush; we’ll walk down the aisle.

Evening at home, saw the news on TV
Her plane was missing
I can’t believe this was happening

I don’t know where she is now
She told me to wait
That’s what I’m doing now
Hoping to see her again someday

I can still buy the same book in stores.
Or buy other books to cope with this lost.
But she… she might be the book I will never have the chance to read again.

Writing Prompt: Writing 101 — Dark Clouds on the (Virtual) Horizon (Assignment Twelve)