Welcome to Carrot Ranch Literary Community where creative writers from around the world and across genres gather to write 99-word stories. A collection of prompted 99-word stories reads like literary anthropology. Diverse perspectives become part of a collaboration.

We welcome encouraging comments. You can follow writers who link their blogs or social media.
Those published at Carrot Ranch are The Congress of Rough Writers.
Weather Report, Water Blessings by JulesPaige
Today it is raining, a gentle water falling from the sky.
Not an angry torrent or brute strength bent on destruction.
For a good part of this day life falls from above,
The clouds have let their bottom silver linings drop open.
Rich treasure, liquid drops fall feeding the land, making
Competing concentric circles in any water they land in.
The earth drinks slowly and deeply.
For this water we are extremely grateful.
The coffee that has been brewed with water is done.
The beans, their plants were grown with water.
Autumn rain is blessing the farmers’ fall harvests.
🥕🥕🥕
For Want of Water by Margaret G. Hanna
We watched the slough dry up. We watched the soil blow away. We watched clouds roll in with empty promises of rain. We watched our crops struggle, shrivel and die.
We watched families move away. We watched businesses close. We watched villages disappear.
We feared the well would go dry. We feared rain would never come again.
This prairie that once held promises of bumper crops and full granaries was now only a distant memory, if it had ever existed.
And all for lack of rain. For lack of water. For lack of caring how we treated the land.
🥕🥕🥕
Aquarius by Kerry E.B. Black
Born into a winter when the three rivers froze solid, the pretty little Aquarius charmed all who dove into her ice storm eyes. As she grew, so did her charms, from honey-wheat hair and reedy figure to tinkling voice and buoyant cheer. To have her as part of any team meant success. From trouble shooting to efficient enacting of a plan, she waded through issues to bail out even the worst situation.
Lovely Aquarius, with water lilies and marigolds threaded through her beachy waves, donned a new mantle, ‘clean water’ her battle cry. Her leadership swelled awareness and resources.
🥕🥕🥕
For the Water by Sadje
People can sell their souls for a glass of fresh water
They’d murder to quench their raging thirst with water
What flows unchecked through our open taps
Can fill a pail for someone who needs clean water
We use water to wash our cars and driveways when
Some people have no drinking water for miles around them
Can you comprehend this dichotomy between people
Those from rich countries and those belonging to poor countries
Where children cry and can only be given a few drops of water
And some water their lawns with sprinklers on 24/7
Can you imagine?
🥕🥕🥕
Water, Water, Everywhere by ladyleemanila
Water, water, I love water everywhere
Seas, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, pools
We’ll enjoy splashing around, fair and square
Playing in the rain, relaxing in whirlpools
We drink water, so refreshing
Our body needs water, also when we exercise
Good for our spirit, stops us from ageing
Nice to go sailing, make sure we don’t capsize
Swimming in the sea, that’s my favourite
Watching the sun as it rises and sets
Having a picnic or an elaborate banquet
Did I tell you about memorable sunsets?
Aquatic life is quite entertaining and fun
Like what we feel when the lottery’s won
🥕🥕🥕
Let’s Go Kayaking by Sue Spitulnik
The promise of colorful leaves decorating the hillsides, soaring eagles, no waves from loud boats, and few other humans had the veteran friends loading kayaks, paddles, and life-preserver belts into pick-ups. They were looking forward to a relaxing day of natural beauty on Hemlock Lake in western New York State. The lake shores were undeveloped except for a small park at the north end with a gravel boat launch and another launch at the south end. The lack of dwellings was for the good of the water, as it was a protected reservoir for the residents of nearby Rochester.
Author’s Note: Hemlock Lake is a real lake.
🥕🥕🥕
Working Together by Ann Edall-Robson
Spitting out a mouth full of lake water, they watched the water run free through the hose into the now gravity-fed water trough. The last two years had been spent planning and trying different techniques so they could utilize this section of pasture for the cattle without damage to the lakeshore. It all came together with the help of their contacts within the local watershed group. The ranch now had water for the cattle and the group was spending their time doing riparian work along the shore. They’d worked together, creating a plan for the good of all.
🥕🥕🥕
For the Water by Tessa Dean
We were told to think about saving the world’s commodities. I started to think about what I could do to save some of the world’s commodities. This is something I never did worry about. I always believed we would have whatever we needed.
I live in an area battered by drought. I have a garden but getting enough rainwater to sustain it was hard. I started to think about all the water we poured down the drain for baths, etc. We could collect it in tubs and jugs after a bath and use it to water the plants daily.
🥕🥕🥕
Weight of Water (BOTS) by Kerry E.B. Black
She walked over a mile each way to collect water, the liquid of life. Two handmade buckets slung from a yoke weighed on her neck and shoulders, but she bore the burden proudly. She knew the value of her cargo. With drought a looming adversary for all of Africa, she felt herself lucky.
The source of the water shortage mattered less than the fact of it. Who cared about government mismanagement, climate change, little money for infrastructure and support, or corruption when dying of thirst?
Worse, she heard by 2050, more than 5 billion people may face water scarcity.
🥕🥕🥕
But Not a Drop to Drink by Anne Goodwin
My youngest shits brown liquid into the – what can I call it? – lake, ocean, once-was fertile fields. Back in the village, he ran on chubby legs. Now, flopped in my arms, he whimpers, speaks only with his eyes. “You prayed for rain, Mama. Did you pray too hard?”
Forgetting her thirst, my youngest seeks happy endings in the clouds. Yesterday, she conjured a helicopter but where, amid the mass of makeshift shelters, could it land? Today she wants a bucket. Or a pan. “Allah is merciful,” she says. She proffers the cooking pot for the water He’ll surely send.
🥕🥕🥕
Water Issue by Duane L Herrmann
“What’s the matter?”
“Because I recognize the precious value of water, I never think ‘it’s only water.’ When I take water, from whatever source, I use all that I take and take only what I use. Water is precious. Water is life. Not all people have access to clean water. I deplore that, so I use only what I need. I grew up with limited water, so this is natural for me. I am bewildered and angered by any waste of water.”
“You can’t control other people.”
“But, I can be an example.”
“True.”
🥕🥕🥕
Hacking Plastic by Frank James
School started and so did science fair. The teacher, Agnus Bauer assigned dates sending pupils off to positively impact the environment. Chloe thought, recalling Mr. Milton’s back porch.
The fair arrived, and She held up a water bottle filled with sand and pebbles. A clamp sprouted from the plastic carcass. “I did it for the water,” Chloe exclaimed to her teacher.
“But, we have treated water,” the teacher said. Chloe illustrated how Mr. Milton poured paint and oil in his yard. Teacher asked if she made it for him.
Chloe grinned and replied, “I’m attaching it to my faucet.”
🥕🥕🥕
For the Water by Charli Mills
Each woman thrust a fistful of tobacco medicine to the dimming sky. Gichigame, the biggest of the “greats,” glistened below. They followed the road. The setting sum smeared colors like jam across the horizon as the small band of woman marched in skirts and boots. Apricot, raspberry, blueberry. All the colors of forests and lakes and sweet summer fruits swished in their skirts. Above the crunching beneath soles, a song lifted. Nee-ee-bay… Gee-za-gay-ee-goo. A lilting lullaby to Nibi, the water. The women sang, holding high their prayers.
For mama’s health. Please don’t let Dad die, yet. For the water.
🥕🥕🥕
News by Simon
There will be a time when human is going to adapt to live without water. Or more likely with less water.
The toxic waste, irresponsible water usage will soon have the effect and plastic impact, the whole water system is under attack, constantly by humans, let’s see what they can do on mission “For the water.”
This is a threat only to the human species. In this machine era, we should worry more about long lasting battery, isn’t it? Now who checked the latest offer of Mamazon?
More comes after a short break, this is M0101 your machine friend.
🥕🥕🥕
Water Bearer by Jenny Logan
I was born in February on the Island of Cyprus amid familial and political controversy. My brother felt unheard—he voted against another baby. It was two apiece.
Aphrodite walked out of the Mediterranean Sea there amongst dolphins. I imagined myself to be her and my identity was linked to her story. Cyprus always felt home.
Before getting married, I visited with my parents. My fiancé wanted us to consider any doubts we might be having; gallant, but not required. I walked right out of the sea again and into his arms—the goddess of love—never to return.
🥕🥕🥕
AquaSynthetic: Repopulating the Ecosystem One Robot at a Time by Eliza
Moraya had been sitting on the riverbank since the city smog had mingled with the early morning mists. The sun had since passed overhead. Now it glowed behind murky clouds on the western horizon.
Moraya cast the line again and waited. Her eyes were heavy with sleep when she felt a tug, reeled it in, sighed. Another artificial fish. She tossed it back into the filth and looked at her empty bucket. The river used to be teeming with life. All she needed was one catch – one real fish. It looked like it would be another day without food.
🥕🥕🥕
Small Changes by Nancy Brady
For the water, I volunteer at Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve.
For the water, I skip the straw to avoid adding plastic straws to oceans.
For the water, I no longer use shower gels formulated with micro-plastic beads.
For the water, I pick up trash on walks around the city to keep it out of the lake.
For the water, I avoid using one-time use plastic bottles that can’t be recycled.
For the water, for our children and grandchildren, I act to leave them an earth that is livable beyond my lifetime, protecting our most important resource.
🥕🥕🥕
I guess my post didn’t take, Charli…
Above the Waves
The waves slap the hull.
Smack!
Whack!
Wallop!
The agitated sea continues its assault as they make for Heriot Bay and safe moorage.
“It’ll be on us soon,” he says. “Half hour at most.”
She glances up at him, at the dark sky, trusting his sense of urgency, his respect for the ferocity of water.
He adds,” You should check on the boy.”
“He’s as snug…” she begins, then says, “I will.”
She slips down into the cramped quarters.
The ‘boy’ is strapped onto a bunk.
“We’re almost safe, baby boy,” she coos.
The boat rolls roughly, then straightens.
Thanks for including my story here. I’m guessing the link I submitted didn’t work, so here it is:
https://elizaseymour.wordpress.com/2022/10/15/short-story-aquasynthetic-repopulating-the-ecosystem-one-robot-at-a-time/
wonderful words
“Down here Shorty! Kid’s settin by the beaver pond.”
“Phew! Missed ya in the round-up, Kid.”
“Sorry, Boss. Was on a bit of a water walk. We’re some lucky at Carrot Ranch. Course it ain’t all luck. Ya take care a things like Ann Edall-Robson says in her story. Been thinkin how some folks ain’t lucky at all when it comes ta water. Kin come too much or not at all, as many a the ranchers wrote about.”
“We do what we can, Kid, for our water and all water. It’s good yer grateful and mindful.”
“Yep. Water’s life.”
[…] The collection of stories made in response to the previous prompt For the Water can be read at the Carrot […]
[…] The last two Carrot Ranch Literary Community prompts, “tea”, then “water”, were great prompts and got great responses. See the collection of 99 word stories HERE and HERE. […]
Water, water, everywhere…and nary a drop to drink (or so it seems if we don’t keep it clean). Will be reading all of these stories soon. I’m just a bit behind, but I’m sure the Word Wranglers have done it again.
For most of the post… appoligies to those I missed.
I can’t do this every week. Thanks to all the ‘water bearers’ 🙂
Margaret G. Hanna; Very reminiscent of the history of the US ‘Dust Bowl’ era…
Kerry E.B. Black; A lesson we all need to follow.
#2 Kerry E.B. Black; Lack of water is too real. We can all help, even in small ways.
Sadje; Your tale is one that occurs throughout the world. People change climates when they bring in unwanted, not native species and private pools that add humidity.
Ladyleemanila; When I have been at the shore and have seen the dolphins play… yes that is priceless. 🙂
Sue Spitulnik; Reminds me of some local areas for our community 🙂 Nice when the tourists go home.
Ann Edall-Robson; Well done. Good for groups to work together.
Tessa Dean; I lived in Indiana during a drought. We were told we had to use our used washing machine water to wash our cars. And no watering of lawns!!
Anne Goodwin; One must not rely on prayer alone…
Duane L Herrmann; We should all be good examples, concerning water usage.
Frank James; Yeah for budding scientists.
Charli Mills; I believe all prayers are heard…
Simon; Humans too many questions with not enough answers.
Jenny Logan; Interesting.
Eliza; I have read of many organizations helping to clean the water. If only others would stop polluting it…
Nancy Brady; An excellent way to help.
Denmaniacs4; Nice.