It's All In Your Approach | ZAPFIC MONDAY (3/16/26) | Prompt: demand (requerir)

in Freewriters21 days ago

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We've all heard the saying, "you can catch more bees with honey than with vinegar". Well, to me it means that if a person desires for something to happen or something from another person, there's a way to go about it that's not antagonistic.

You can ask in a way that the other person doesn't feel threatened, belittled, or offended. Often one can ask in a way that the person doesn't feel put off. I share a flash fiction story this week for the ZAPFIC Monday challenge that centers around the prompt "demand".

The ZAPFICMonday challenge was created by @felt.buzz and consists of a story told in 240 characters or less. Quite a feat to accomplish. If you're interested, visit the current challenge post: Monday 16th March 2026... It's #ZapFicMonday: ZapFic240! The "Original" ZapFic: Write a story using 240 characters OR less!.

My story is below:

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Eli peered from the alley as Mrs. Dunley walked by.

She avoided him. Rounding the corner, she crept up behind.

"I request your presence in class Sir." Silent, she extended her hand then left.

The sack contained shoes, clothes, and toiletries.

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Source

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Todos hemos oído el dicho: «Se atrapan más moscas con miel que con vinagre». Bueno, para mí eso significa que, si una persona desea que suceda algo o quiere algo de otra persona, hay una forma de hacerlo que no resulta hostil.

Puedes pedirlo de tal manera que la otra persona no se sienta amenazada, menospreciada u ofendida. A menudo se puede pedir de tal manera que la persona no se sienta rechazada. Esta semana comparto un relato breve para el reto del lunes de ZAPFIC que gira en torno al tema «exigir».

El reto ZAPFICMonday fue creado por @felt.buzz y consiste en una historia contada en 240 caracteres o menos. Si te interesa, visita el post del reto actual: Monday 16th March 2026... It's #ZapFicMonday: ZapFic240! The "Original" ZapFic: Write a story using 240 characters OR less!.

Mi historia está abajo:

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Todo depende de tu enfoque

Eli se asomó desde el callejón cuando la señora Dunley pasaba por allí.

Ella lo evitó. Al doblar la esquina, se acercó sigilosamente por detrás.

—Le ruego que se presente en clase, señor. —Sin decir nada, le tendió la mano y se marchó.

La bolsa contenía zapatos, ropa y artículos de aseo.

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Source

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I leave here the screenshot evidencing the 240-character limit for my story for ZAPFIC Monday (3/16/26):

Aquí dejo la captura de pantalla que muestra el límite de 240 caracteres para mi historia para ZAPFIC Lunes (16/3/26)

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RULES:
  • Post to the Freewriters Community.

  • Use one or more of the tags: #zapfic; #zapficmonday; #zapfic240.

  • Please use a word/character counter (if you search for word counter on the internet or in your phone's app store you will get a big choice!) word counter.net and include a screenshot. This makes it easier for you and @felt.buzz!

  • Use the prompt provided as you see fit (use your imagination)

  • You have 3 days (until Thursday 23h59 GMT) to post a Zapfic (a story written in 240 characters or less) using the prompt given.

  • Try to tell a complete story if you can!

  • The story should only be 240 characters long (including spaces)

NORMAS:
  • Postear en la comunidad de Freewriters.

  • Utiliza una o varias de las etiquetas #zapfic; #zapficmonday; #zapfic240

  • Por favor, utiliza un contador de palabras/caracteres (¡si buscas contador de palabras en internet o en la tienda de aplicaciones de tu teléfono tendrás una gran selección!) wordcounter.net e incluye una captura de pantalla. Así será más fácil para ti y para @feltbuzz.

  • Utiliza el texto como mejor te parezca (usa tu imaginación).

  • Dispones de 3 días (hasta el jueves a las 23h59 GMT) para publicar un Zapfic (una historia escrita en 240 caracteres o menos) utilizando el tema propuesto.

  • Intenta contar una historia completa si puedes.

  • La historia debe tener sólo 240 caracteres (espacios incluidos).

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Good luck everyone with whatever your endeavors.

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SUPPORTS THESE COMMUNITIES:

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SOURCES:
a) JustClickindiva's Footer created in Canva utilizing its free background and images used with permission from discord admins.
b) Unless otherwise noted, all photos taken by me with my (i) Samsung Galaxy 10" Tablet, (ii) Samsung Phone, & (iii) FUJI FinePix S3380 - 14 Mega Pixels Digital Camera
c) Purple Butterfly part of purchased set of Spiritual Clip Art for my Personal Use
d) All Community logos, banners, page dividers used with permission of Discord Channel admins.
e) Ladies of Hive banner used with permission of and in accordance with the admin's guidelines
f) Thumbnail Image created by me in Canva.
g) "Flames." What is Apophysis 2.09. https://flam3.com/

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English is my native language.
If translation included, I use DeepL to assist my readers.
Thanks for your patience and understanding
.

El inglés es mi lengua materna.
Si se incluye traducción, utilizo DeepL para ayudar a mis lectores.
Gracias por su paciencia y comprensión.

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Sort:  

Ms. Dunley is one of those that saves lives ... what a great story!

I sincerely hope so. I feel she understands the right approach being a teacher. You never know whose lives you may touch or save outside the classroom. Thanks for your visit and lovely compliment for my story. I appreciate it. Take care.

Another great story! Sending you some Ecency curation votes!

Thanks so much for your kind words for my story and for your community support. I appreciate them both. Thanks for taking the time to stop by. Take care.

Many doors open when us cordial and kind. A very interesting micro-story to read.

Thanks for sharing your micro-story with us.

Excellent day.

You are correct @rinconpoetico7. Others are more open to hear what we have to say when we approach them in a non-combative manner. Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your insight. I appreciate it. Take care and have a nice rest of your week.

!BBH