“The Little Drummer Boy,” Flash Fiction

Posted on by Colleen M. Chesebro

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July 5, 2018, Carrot Ranch Literary Community prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that includes buttons. You can use the word plural or singular in different expressions, or focus on how buttons relate to a story. Go where the prompt leads. Respond by July 10, 2018.

“The Little Drummer Boy”

The boy hid near a copse of trees. All around him, the sound of gunfire sputtered and pinged. Tears stinging, he pulled the drum closer, waiting for a new command from the general so he could muster the troops.

Scared, he slipped his hand into his pocket and fingered the buttons he had cut from the coats of the enemy. Each button represented a win. He had survived the battles and lived to beat the drums to victory.

Until today. When the men found him the little drummer boy gripped a string of dirty buttons—his legacy to death.

**Dedicated to the Drummer Boys of the American Civil War**

I have no idea where this story came from, but the words flew from my fingertips. It was meant to be written. Again. ❤

GiddyUP And write some Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction!

34 thoughts on ““The Little Drummer Boy,” Flash Fiction”

    1. I just never know where these prompt words will take me, Olga. I knew nothing of the drummer boys, and looked them up. Sad, indeed. ❤

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    1. I couldn’t see who the enemy was. I felt like his own men found him, but leaving it open ended seemed suitable.

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        1. Agreed. You know this stuff just flows from my fingers sometimes. I see bits in my mind but knew it had to do with the Civil War. I seriously had to research drummer boys. I wasn’t sure what they did. The muse spoke.

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    1. Thanks, Ritu. From my research, many of these boys didn’t reach manhood. Very sad. 😦

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    1. Ohhh, A story-catcher! Thanks, Charli. I just receive vibes and act on them. This story grabbed me. ❤️

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