Flash Stories

The Fire Beneath the Cypress

hamed Dec. 25, 2024, 10:44 a.m.

In the heart of Shiraz, where the scent of orange blossoms swirled through the night air, Layli sat beneath the ancient cypress tree. Her fingers traced the letters carved into its bark—a poem etched by a long-dead lover. The words burned with yearning, though their author was dust, and the ink of their longing had long dried.

Layli waited, as she had every evening for the past month. Her beloved, Ramin, a wandering poet, had promised to return before the new moon waned. But the crescent now grew thinner, and her hope flickered like a candle caught in the wind.

Stories from the Shahnameh spoke of heroes who crossed deserts and mountains for love. Layli whispered their names like a prayer, but in her heart, she knew Ramin was no Rustam, no Sohrab. He was only a poet, a man whose words could make the heavens weep, yet whose hands …

Arash the Archer

hamed Dec. 24, 2024, 6:05 p.m.

In a time long past, where the mountains kissed the skies, and the rivers sang songs of legends, there stood the mighty kingdom of Parsa. This kingdom was renowned for its valorous knights and wise rulers, its tales etched in the annals of time by none other than the venerable poet, Ferdowsi.

Among the tales of Parsa, the story of Arash, the swift archer, was one that echoed through the ages. The land was under the ominous shadow of war. The neighboring realm of Turan, coveting Parsa's fertile lands, had declared war. The battle raged for months, leaving fields scorched and rivers red.

Desperate for peace, the rulers of both kingdoms sought a resolution. It was decreed that the new boundary would be set by the furthest arrow shot from the peak of Mount Damavand. Parsa's hope lay in Arash, a humble yet legendary archer, whose arrows were said to …

The Forgotten King

hamed Dec. 23, 2024, 5:27 a.m.

The wind howled through the crumbling ruins of an ancient palace, buried deep within the Alborz mountains. Mehran, a wandering bard, stumbled upon the remnants of a courtyard. Marble lions guarded the entrance, their faces weathered but defiant. In the air lingered a faint hum, like a melody half-forgotten, tethered to the past.

He knelt beside a fountain, its water long dried, and sang an old verse:

"When night betrays the veil of dawn,
The rightful king shall yet be drawn."

No sooner had the words left his lips than the earth beneath him trembled. From the shadows emerged an old man cloaked in shimmering gold, his face obscured by a jeweled mask.

"Who dares disturb the silence of Siyavashgard?" The voice was thunderous, commanding reverence.

Mehran’s heart raced. "A seeker of truth," he replied, clutching his lyre. "Are you a specter, or are you... the king?"

The figure stepped closer, …

The Auction

hamed Dec. 21, 2024, 7:34 p.m.

When their father passed, the farm was supposed to be split equally between Amir, the older brother, and Reza, the younger. But Amir, with his sharp tongue and sharper lawyers, convinced Reza to sign away his rights, promising to send him money later. Reza, trusting and weary of fighting, packed his belongings and left for Europe, leaving behind the fields he’d tilled as a boy.

The farm thrived for a while. Amir expanded the property, took loans, and lived lavishly. But prosperity has a way of slipping through careless fingers. Years of drought, poor decisions, and mounting debt brought Amir to ruin. The once-bustling farm was now quiet, the fields overrun with weeds.

One gray morning, Amir stood at the edge of the auction yard, watching bidders circle his family’s legacy like vultures. The hammer fell quickly on the farmhouse, the barn, and the surrounding lands. A single …

The Return of the Exiled Prince

hamed Dec. 21, 2024, 6:39 a.m.

The moon hung low over the desert, its pale light illuminating the rugged silhouette of a lone rider. His cloak, tattered and worn, bore faint traces of royal embroidery—symbols of a past long buried. Forty years had passed since the prince, Ardeshir, had been cast out by his uncle, Mehrdad, who seized the throne in a storm of treachery and blood.

Ardeshir had been seventeen then, a boy with fire in his eyes and rebellion in his veins. But against Mehrdad’s army of shadowy divs, summoned through dark pacts, he was no match. Exiled to the desolate lands of the east, the young prince had been left to wander the mountains, carrying nothing but his father’s broken sword and the bitter taste of betrayal.

The years hardened him. In the wilderness, Ardeshir found allies among the nomadic clans who still whispered of the true king. He trained with warriors who …

The Eternal Night of Queen Yalda

hamed Dec. 20, 2024, 2:07 p.m.

In the ancient lands of Persia, beneath a sky strewn with stars and the glow of the full moon, the people of the empire gathered to honor Yalda Night, the longest night of the year. But few remembered the true origin of this sacred night—a tale of love, sacrifice, and defiance against the forces of darkness.

Centuries ago, Queen Yalda ruled over Persia with wisdom and grace. Her hair cascaded like the ink of midnight, and her eyes shimmered like the distant stars. It was said that she was blessed by Anahita, the goddess of water and fertility, who had gifted her with a voice that could calm raging storms and a heart that burned brighter than the sun.

In Yalda’s time, the shadowy div, Ahriman, sought to plunge the world into eternal darkness. Ahriman despised the light, for it revealed his weakness. He waged war against the heavens, sending …

They Survive, But You May Die

hamed Nov. 2, 2024, 6:05 p.m.

The sun rose slowly over the peaks of the Zagros mountains, casting a golden glow on the tents pitched at the foot of Dena mountain. The Ghashghayi tribe gathered around, their colorful attire blending with the rich landscape, woven with the sounds of singing and laughter. Today was the wedding day of Arash and Arman, twin brothers who, years ago, had defied death itself, and now stood side by side, waiting to meet their brides—two radiant girls from the tribe, each as fierce and free as the horses they loved to ride.

The memories of that long-ago night still lingered with their mother, Afsar, who now watched her sons with pride, her face lined with the strength and determination that had defied fate itself. She recalled how, in their infancy, her babies had been given no chance of survival by the village doctor. Yet her love for them had been …

The Obedient Donkey

hamed Oct. 30, 2024, 1 p.m.

The old farmer set out with a spring in his step, dressed in his best clothes, determined to break from his daily grind and visit his friend in the neighboring village. His donkey waited patiently, as it did every morning, with its head bowed and hooves planted on the familiar dirt path.

After climbing onto the donkey, he felt the gentle rocking motion of its steps and drifted off, lulled by the morning sun and the rhythm of the ride. His thoughts wandered to the good stories and laughter he’d share with his friend, a world away from the endless tending of crops and weeding.

But the donkey, bound by routine, walked the path it had learned by heart. Every day it trotted faithfully to the orchard, carrying the farmer without fail. Today was no exception.

Hours later, the old man stirred awake! His friend’s home was nowhere in sight. …

The Great Collapse: How World War III Began

hamed Oct. 22, 2024, 11:19 a.m.

The year was 2024, a year that would forever be marked as the catalyst of global destruction. In the United States, a razor-thin presidential election set the stage for unprecedented turmoil. The political landscape had grown increasingly polarized, with Republicans and Democrats locked in a bitter and prolonged dispute over the results. The integrity of the electoral process was questioned, accusations of fraud flew from both sides, and legal battles stretched on for months.

The stalemate in Washington paralyzed the government, and as tensions grew, so did the anger of the American people. Protests erupted in cities across the nation, at first peaceful, but soon devolving into violent clashes between opposing groups. Militias began to form, and the line between civilian unrest and organized rebellion blurred. The National Guard was called in to restore order, but in some states, even they were overwhelmed. As political leaders pointed fingers and offered …

The Price of Promises

hamed Oct. 20, 2024, 12:27 p.m.

Emma had loved Ethan since they were kids, back when they passed notes in math class and shared stolen moments beneath the bleachers. He was everything—the handsome, charming boy that every girl in school dreamed about. But it was Emma who had his heart. She wore that victory like a crown, marrying him just a few years after graduation. Their future seemed bright, even inevitable.

Ethan quickly rose in the world of business, taking risks that paid off handsomely. Their home was a picture of success, filled with the luxuries that others only wished for. And Emma, though she had everything, still harbored a question she couldn’t seem to let go.

“Do you still love me?” she asked, often enough that it became like a habit.

Ethan would smile, assuring her with words she needed to hear. But it was never enough. There was always a lingering shadow in her …