Short Stories

The "73 Words in the 732" contest seeks original short stories that contain seventy-three words or fewer. Stories can be on any theme or topic, and a panel of library staff will select the best short stories, which will appear on the library's website.

The contest is open through the month of May every year. All ages are welcome to participate and East Brunswick residency is not required.

Time Stands Still

Loneliness isn't simply about being alone -- some people are happy on their own. And it’s not how many people you...

Shaun Regan

Monday, May 24, 2021

Comforting Home

Fragrant memories of Wonder Bread toast cut into the shape of a peaked roofed house comfort me still. First painted with cream cheese and then appliquéd with Welches graped windows and door....

Elayne Risley

Monday, May 24, 2021

Untitled

He was supposed to arrive. I stomp anxiously and look out past the shade of a cottonwood tree, where big birds perch silently, while in the glistening night sky a dozen more glide. Something must...

Tweety Hsiao

Monday, May 10, 2021

Love at First Sight

In her right hand she held a scissors. In her left, a big chunk of hair.
“Oona, what did you do?” the Dad asked his 3 year old daughter.
“Nothing!” she innocently replied.
“Did...

Cecelia Regan

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Out for a Ride

It was a hot and steamy summer day, so I decided to ride my bike to the corner store for a bottle of soda. As I rode past the woods, I looked down by the creek and saw three little baby bunnies...

Joe Rutch

Monday, April 26, 2021

A Wishful Whisper

She was sitting forlorn, moving to and fro on her rocking chair. With a desperate heart and a face, pale and gloomy, she closed her anxious eyes. Tenderly folding her wrinkled hands, she...

Komal Mehra

Sunday, April 25, 2021

An Enchanted Garden

She had always fantasized about creating her own magical garden. So there she was, sitting all adorned and embellished, amidst the shady trees, fragrant flowers, colorful butterflies, whispering...

Komal Mehra

Thursday, April 29, 2021

Leaving Home

He had come home, finally and I opened the garage door, forgetting that Lizzie, our cockatiel was out of her cage, perched on my shoulder. She flew toward him, missing his arm, continuing out the...

Yvette Schlussel

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

The Mean Dog

Magenta, 7, and her owner Leah walked their neighborhood daily. There weren’t many streets, but they created routes. Magenta was sweet and quiet, but bike riders, other dogs and cars scared her....

Donna L Goldberg

Thursday, April 15, 2021

Red Bird Part 1

Lately, I have been seeing red birds when I go outside. After doing some research, I learned that seeing a red bird has a secret meaning behind it. Did you know that a red bird symbolizes good...

Yan Yakirevich

Thursday, April 15, 2021

Red Bird Part 2

Other experts think that dreaming of red birds means that new hope and love will enter your life. The color red has always been symbolic of passion. Therefore, dreaming of a cardinal could mean a...

Yan Yakirevich

Thursday, April 29, 2021

Reluctant Solitude

 A cone fell from a dying pine onto a rusty-roofed Mercedes startling the man. He regarded his cluttered yard and neglected garden before walking down his driveway to his mailbox. Finding it empty...

Jennifer Donovan

Tuesday, April 13, 2021