73 Words in the 732: More Stories

Guest Host Barry Schwartzstein shares some of the other stories from the 2023 "73 Words in the 732" competition. Eyes of a Child by PO He gathered them all around to show his new sculptures he just finished. After looking for sometime one said “How come you never put faces on your work?” You can add how you feel and what each of you see in the statue, he replied. After a short time, the little one said” I see a fun and loving face. Just like you, Grandpa.   The Black Mermaid by ​​Shikhar Dixit Her origins are lost in the mists of time. Shadows of rumors place her far back in ancient Mesopotamia. A Muslim cleric living in the shadow of Turkey's Mount Nemrut claims she was discovered by nomadic Homo Ergaster upon African savannahs. Physicists speculate on the black substance, resistant to any and all methods of modern forensic inquiry, including the powerful Zetawatt-Equivalent Ultrashort Pulse Laser. Her very presence induces horrific nightmares.   The Past Does Not Equal The Future by Shaunak Chattopadhyay As a high school student, Todd was introverted, bullied and had little friends. Now, he is a fitness Youtuber, an application designer at a software company, an entrepreneur, investor and works with multiple companies for sponsorship deals.  He uses the money to help fund start ups and provide aid to charities and his family. Despite having a rough time in high school, Todd did not let it define him forever.