
The February 27, 2023 99-word story challenge from Charli Mills at Carrot Ranch is to: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a golden onion. Any golden onion. One planted or harvested. An onion chopped for a meal. How can you use an onion as a prop in a character’s hand? Go where the prompt leads!
I haven’t posted in a while but here’s a double with a nod to last week’s “Literary Artist” challenge.
Appearances by D. Avery
My sister and I were getting some candy when we recognized the witch in front of us. The clerk told the witch he’d got all her items in one bag but that it was very heavy. My sister jabbed me when I said, Let’s put some in another bag, I’ll carry it for you. The witch said if my sister was coming too, she’d buy a bag of golden onions as well for her to carry. So that’s how we got into the witch’s house, following her down the street carrying her groceries.
She didn’t smile like a witch.
xxx
We followed the witch inside and set down our loads. A black cat, curled on a chair, stretched, revealing its white belly and toes. What appeared at first to be a crystal ball on a small table was only a large golden onion. My sister had been wrong. This was no witch.
But then, cradling the onion in her palms, the woman declared Not all lies are stories and that Stories are not all lies. She said I was a literary artist and gave me the pen and writing pad I hadn’t even known were in the grocery bag.

Be sure to go to Carrot Ranch to read the complete “Smear of Jam” collection from last week. And there’s always the Ranch Yarns with Kid and Pal’s responses HERE.
D. this is so magical! There is so much here I love. The witch illusion, of course… but the discovery of “literary artistry” is something I really love—a gift! 💜
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Thank you Colleen. I’m glad something finally fell out for this prompt. I think you know about literary artistry; the discoveries are indeed a gift, as nurturing and sustaining as onion-carrot soup.
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Absolutely… I’m off to combine prompts, as well. I loved your two so stories. You gave me inspiration. 🙏🏻
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I love this Deanna. So many stories are filled with “stories” that others believe true. This is the kind of witch I like…
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Thanks! I like her too, and all the old folks that trail stories for the kids to pick up and play with.
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very very cute, Deanna ❤
~David
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Thanks!
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This made me smile. Onions are magic! (K)
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Love the quote D. Not all stories are lies.
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What’s in a name? Peel back the layers, onion and wise -knowing witch are the same.
I really liked the magic in this 2-parter!
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I like where this prompt led too.
These maidens might learn a thing or two from this crone.
Thanks, Liz.
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“Not all lies are stories and that Stories are not all lies.” Yup, she knows what she’s talking about.
Clever use of the golden onion.
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Thanks. I had fun with these characters. Glad the prompt led them out.
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Ah… You are a Literary Artist!! Magic or nought – the story confirms it!!
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Thanks, Jules. This was a fun story to write.
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🙂
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