MICROFICTION

The Woodman

A 100-word story

The metallic whine slid from angry soprano to mellow bass as Finn switched off the saw. He pulled his goggles up to inspect the rocking horse head. A stallion. For the children.

Stepping through mounds of fragrant wood chips, he savored the fresh-cut pine aroma. Pine, oak, hickory, cherry…his friends. He loved them more than anything. The smell, the sounds, the grain’s smoothness.

Outside, he spied little Frances’ silhouette skipping toward the pony barn, her maple hair forever splayed in the wind. He smiled and raised his hand in a gentle wave.

“My greatest masterpiece,” he whispered to himself.

© Tina L. Smith, 2021

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