Buford's Big Ceremony

"And in the name of this great Republic and all its citizens, I do hereby award you the gold star of participation."

Trumpets sounded. The crowd erupted in applause. The Prime Minister fumbled with the medal for a second before pinning it to Buford's chest and shaking his hand.

Buford politely nodded a thank you to the man in suit-and-sash before stepping forward and waving a big, appreciative, "you're all fantastic!" wave to the assembled mass. They exploded into a second round of enthusiastic applause and cheering. Pausing just a moment to soak it all in, he then turned to his left and carefully made his way back to his seat.

A New Face

"I don't like it one bit."

"What? Why not?"

"For one thing - what the hell is it?"

"Why does that matter? It's not supposed to be anything."

"Well, for being nothing, you've certainly got it in a prominent spot."

The Girl with the Blue Umbrella

"Today is a blue day," she thought. Not a depressed day, not a sad day, but a blue day. Royal. Aquamarine. Iridescent. A bright bubbly beautiful blue.

She dug through her dresser, pulling out anything and everything blue. When she'd had a mound of clothes on her bed, she began picking through them, wondering what she would wear to face the day. Skirt or pants? Or maybe her big blue denim dress?