Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers: Chinese Says…

Published on by Yinglan

photo-20160208115053605

There is a bench in Steve’s backyard. It is red, his wife, Lynda, insisted on the color. “If the Chinese thinks it’s lucky, then it must be lucky.” She said when he asked. Steve frowned at the logic but it’s one of Lynda’s quirks. She’s not Chinese but she believes every Chinese health myth.

Like a few weeks ago, after discovering Chinese women are eating more and more Flaxseed because it was said to prevent cancer while surfing the internet, Lynda went out and purchased two pounds of ground Flaxseed. She had no idea what to do with it, the article didn’t say. So she put a spoonful in water, drank it, and spat it all out. Then when Steve asked why she’s suddenly cleaning the kitchen floor, Lynda said, “I spilled some food.” Then seconds later, Lynda grabbed her husband’s collar and cried, “I don’t know how they do it. It taste like crap.”

Steve chuckled, “Honey, you’re supposed to bake with it, not eat it by the spoonful.”

(~171 words)

 

Note: This story was actually inspired by real life. My mom is the same way, except she believes in European and American remedies. As for the Flaxseed, though there was no actual proof from official research, a lot of my aunt’s friends tried ground Flaxseed and reported their breast cancer got better. And yes, you’re not supposed to eat Flaxseed just like that. You’re supposed to put it in oatmeal, cookie, or muffin.

I am participating in Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writer, where we write a piece between 100 and 150 words (more or less 25 words) in length inspired by the photo prompt above. 

36 thoughts on “Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers: Chinese Says…”

    1. I couldn’t agree more, she needs more research. The same thing actually happened with my aunt. She took the flaxseed by the spoonful and hated it but she was brave, she didn’t spit it out. 😀

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    1. Yeah, I know a few people like that and exactly, too many people read things on the internet and become impulsive and they don’t even know that it harms them more than it helps them.

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  14. There are lots of people like Lynda who are obsessed with trying our remedies for everything. This story really made me laugh and I couldn’t help thinking it served her right for not reading up about how to use the Flaxseed! A fun story, Yinglan. 🙂

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