Monday Microfiction: "That Damn Elephant"

This week's microfiction is a 150-word story about a young man who wants to get his mother a gift.

Many (but not all) of my micro stories are inspired by prompts provided by THE FICTION DEALER Substack. I highly recommend checking it out if you’re interested in reading more microfics — or writing your own!

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That Damn Elephant

If I were suddenly rich, I wouldn't have needed to steal the elephant figurine sitting in the shop display. I could have bought it, all nice and proper-like.

I swung by every day for the past two weeks to look at the thing, ever since I walked by with Mum and she stopped to sigh at it longingly. It did look nice: rubies for eyes and cleverly carved details.

It’s been a rough year for Mum, what with Dad’s ruffian ways finally getting him locked up, and I wanted to show her that I care, you know? So I nicked it.

Reckon I had been conspicuous, visiting every day to stare at that damn elephant. The shop owner must have been waiting for me to pocket it. Barely two steps out the door, they nabbed me.

Ah, well. Mum’s Christmas gift this year will be having the flat to herself.