This document defines and provides examples of flash fiction or microstories. It explains that flash fiction compresses an entire story into a few paragraphs, with word counts typically ranging from six words to around 1,000 words. It notes that flash fiction often features a surprise twist ending or unexpected last line. The document then provides several examples of microstories to illustrate this very brief form of fiction.

1. Micro stories /
microfiction /
flash fictions

2. Flash fiction is also known as sudden fiction,
short-short stories, microfiction, or
microstories.

3. Brevity: Flash fiction compresses an entire
story into the space of a few paragraphs. There
is no defined word count for flash fiction, but
some commonly used word limits in flash fiction
range from just six words on the short end to
around 1,000 words on the longer end.
Surprise. Great flash fiction often
incorporates surprise, usually in the form of a
twist ending or an unexpected last line.

4. Chocolate or vanilla ice cream? Which should I choose?
Chocolate is my Dad’s favorite, vanilla is my Mom’s. They
took me to our regular ice cream parlor shortly after letting
me know they were separating. I guess they thought it would
soften the blow. Or maybe they want me to choose between
them, as usual. Mom or Dad? Vanilla or chocolate? Which will
it be?
Finally, I make my choice: chocolate vanilla swirl. I want it
all.
Vanilla or Chocolate? by Lynn Messing

5. Sorvete de chocolate ou baunilha? Qual devo escolher?
Chocolate é o favorito do meu pai, baunilha é o da minha mãe.
Eles me levaram à nossa sorveteria normal logo depois de me
avisar que estavam se separando. Acho que eles pensaram que
isso suavizaria o golpe. Ou talvez eles queiram que eu
escolha entre eles, como sempre. Mamãe ou papai? Baunilha ou
chocolate? Qual vai ser?
Por fim, faço minha escolha: chocolate e baunilha. Eu quero
tudo isso.

6. Gulliver's Travels:
After a lot of traveling, disillusioned, he
decided to watch TV.

7. VIAGENS DE GULLIVER
Depois de muito viajar, desiludido, decidiu ver
TV.

8. For sale: baby shoes, never worn.
Ernest Hemingway

9. Vende-se: sapatos de bebê, nunca usados.
Ernest Hemingway

10. When it woke up, the dinosaur was still there.
Monterroso

11. Quando acordou, o dinossauro ainda estava lá.
Monterroso