Friday Flash Fiction
  • Home
    • About Friday Flash Fiction
  • 100-Word Stories
  • Longer Stories
  • Poetry
  • Authors
    • A-C
    • D-F
    • G-I
    • J-L
    • M-O
    • P-R
    • S-V
    • W-Z
  • Contest Entries
    • 100-Word Submissions
    • How to complete the Entry Form
    • Writing Good Flash Fiction
    • Appeals/Feedback Request
    • Competition Contact
    • Technical Stuff >
      • Terms & Conditions
      • GDPR Compliance
      • Duotrope

One Million Tanks, by Malvina Perova

24/6/2022

14 Comments

 
Picture

​This story comes with an example of the sort of art Malvina creates in her day job.

Picture
(Image: Malvina Perova)
Jolly hullabaloo greets me at the shelter. Children run around, shrieking with laughter as if the war never tainted their innocent minds.
“Guess what’s in the bags?” I say, and they rush towards me, beaming.
“Chocolates!”
“Muffins!”
“I want juice.”
I notice five-year-old Mila is missing. Absorbed in drawing, she stood indifferent to all the fuss around lunch.
“She drew tons already,” one boy points out. “And never stops.”
“Hey,” I come up to Mila, “let’s have a bite.”
She shakes her head over a lopsided tank on paper. “No, I need one million more to bring my home back.”


Note from the editor: Malvina wants us all to know that our support is much appreciated, but please bear in mind that Ukrainians are currently being advised not to leave their mobile phones switched on, because Russian drones use them to seek out targets.

14 Comments
Mimi Grouse
24/6/2022 08:02:04 am

Fantastic picture and a great story! Stay safe!
Slava Ukraini!

Reply
Allison Symes link
24/6/2022 09:20:52 am

Lovely story.

Reply
Mary Annd Mc Enery
24/6/2022 09:30:24 am

Rainbow beauty well told.Thanks Malvina

Reply
Pamela Kennedy
24/6/2022 10:53:59 am

Special artwork, special story...nicely done, Malvina.

Reply
Don Tassone link
24/6/2022 11:09:40 am

Powerful. Well done, Malvina.

Reply
David Milner
24/6/2022 12:16:53 pm

Many thanks, Malvina.

Reply
Padmini Krishnan
24/6/2022 02:35:54 pm

Superb artwork for a moving story. It reminds me of the images our graphic designers used to create to explain a concept using a story.

Reply
Peggy Gerber
24/6/2022 02:41:14 pm

Your artwork is the perfect match for the story. Both beautiful and moving.

Reply
Jim Bartlett link
24/6/2022 03:57:27 pm

Just wonderful, Malvina (as is the art!)
Jim

Reply
Jennifer Duncan
24/6/2022 04:51:13 pm

A rainbow of hope in a terrible situation. One thing that gives me hope is the stories of survivors of WW2 and how they managed to build lives after the war. My dad was one of them.

Reply
Krystyna
24/6/2022 06:06:52 pm

Magnificent artwork, Malivina. A poignant story pinpointing the reality of your country’s desperate situation.

Reply
Sue Clayton
25/6/2022 07:25:00 am

The thought of a five-year old Mila trying to draw a million tanks to save her country is gut-wrenching and heart-warming at the same time. Let's hope enough tanks, and whatever else is needed, arrive to save Ukraine. Stay safe, Malvina.

Reply
Alyce
1/7/2022 01:44:40 am

Both the story and artwork are beautiful and moving. Once again, you’ve touched my heart, Malvina.

Reply
Malvina Perova
4/7/2022 02:43:20 pm

My dear readers, thank you all for the kind words that keep warming my heart, inspire me to create and just keep my soul solid in my body, still, over four months of war. I embrace you all and send you a million of virtual smiles :) You are the best!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    "Classic"
    100-Word
    Stories

    Since Friday Flash Fiction began in September 2013, 100-word stories have remained its 'beating heart'.

    Normally, 100-word stories are scheduled for 07.00 BST (GMT in the winter) on the following Friday. However, where a large number of stories (more than 25) are due to be published on the same day, we publish a second batch around 10.30am.

    Each week we pick a story or (occasionally) a poem as 'Editor's Choice'.
    It's a personal favourite, no more. Do you agree?
    Editor's Choice
    Picture

    For those looking for the latest story (or poem) from our Ukrainian contributor Malvina Perova
    – just to check she's safe & well –click the button below.
    Malvina in Ukraine

    NEW: we have a FACEBOOK PAGE where regular contributors can share ideas and discuss stories. Why not join in?

    We occasionally send out little newsletters running competitions – and subscribers are also our voting panel. If you'd like to join us, please click the Subscribe to newsletter button below.
    Subscribe to Newsletter
    No spam, we promise!

    Friday Flash Fiction
    Rules
    Kinda obvious, really...
    • Fiction only
    • Stories of 75-100 words only
    • Don't be nasty or cheat
    • Include your name and a story title

    Archives

    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    December 2012


Picture
Website by Platform 36

Photos used under Creative Commons from YLegrand, Tony Webster