According to Wikipedia, a drabble is
Here’s a humorous example in second person imperative.
Does it tell a story?
You decide.
The Drabble
Again
Try it. Scowl.
Try again. Scowl again.
Call Customer Support via landline.
Activate speaker.
Wait 47 minutes.
Explain your problem.
See red when Support transfers you.
Explain your problem. Again.
Pound on the wall when you’re transferred. Again!
Silently curse all Customer Service agents, and rue your rheumatic fingers.
Try not to be rude. (Aloud.)
Give the agent a two-fingered salute. Groan. Salute again.
After 58 futile minutes, call the agent a gormless wanker.
Ring off.
Choose: Throw it in the dust bin or give it away.
Snicker. And gift it to your uppity daughter-in-law.
Purchase another not-so-smart-phone?
Never again.
Public Service Announcement
Unlike many stories, this short piece has no resemblance to any person I know, living or dead. I, my family, and my friends have cellphones and know how to use them.
More Notes
“Again” was first published by ScribesMicro in Issue 38 on February 16, 2024.
It also features the scribblings of:
- Joem Antonio
- Gary Bloom
- Chris Cochran
- Kelly Dwyer
- Lee Hammerschmidt
- Elizabeth B.D. Johnson
- K. F. Lerner
- Sean MacKendrick
- Luca Mainardi
- Sabina Malik
- Angelle McDougall
- Mary Anne Mc Enery
- Sue Montgomery
- J. S. O’Keefe
- Ken Poyner
- Terry Reilly
- Connie Shakalis
- Beth Sherman
- Huina Zheng
Have You Ever Written a Drabble?
What did you think of the experience?
Microfiction usually takes longer to write than stories of several hundred words.
The Writer’s Lexicon series
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I’m not sure what that really was, but “Drabble” sounds close enough.
If “drabble” sounds like it should be a cousin of “dribble,” maybe Monte Python’s Big Red Book had something to do with it. 🙂
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Drabble