Fifty5Words is an irresistible collection of 180 really short stories. These literary titbits pack a punch that is delightfully disproportionate to their diminutive size. You will want to read many of the stories again and again.

The Party
Dressed as a ghost, Charlie walked past a cemetery on his way to a costume party.
“Going to the party?” a similarly dressed woman who was walking behind him asked.
“Yes,” said Charlie.
The host said, “Welcome, Charlie. I’m one of three aliens tonight, but you’re the only ghost here.”
Underneath his make-up, Charlie paled.

Birthday Card
A sight-impaired man who was in a bookshop with his guide dog struggled to read some birthday cards. A woman said to him, “Let me read them for you.”
He suddenly cried, “My wife will surely love this one!”
“I love it!” she said, not disguising her voice now.
“Helen? That’s a sneaky little trick!”

Oh Teik Theam is a retired bank clerk. He is the author of Laugh Your Head Off! and Lighten Up! Brighten Up! This is his first collection of fiction. He likes this quotation by American author Louis L’Amour: “If you’re going to be a writer, the first essential is just to write. Do not wait for an idea. Start writing something and the ideas will come. You have to turn the faucet on before the water starts to flow.”