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Self-Review – Failure

Published by Janet Gershen-Siegel on June 3, 2025

Let’s Look at Failure

The truth is, I really despise the concept of ‘failure is not an option’. Of course it is! It always is, like it or not. Sometimes, stuff just…happens.

I wrote this story during the first quarter of 2021.

Background for Failure

The prompt word for this one is, of course, its title. I’ve always found the old cliché about failing not being an option as being kind of short-sighted. After all, stuff just plain happens. Or people simply do not follow through.

I think because I am really not very adversarial, and I tend to dislike competition in most forms, these ideas tend to resonate with me.

Plot

There truly is not a whole hell of a plot going on here. Essentially, this little vignette is just a student complaining to someone in charge. It could be the coach, the gym teacher, or the principal of the school.

But it does not really matter that there is no designation for this authority figure. Whoever they are, they are telling this kid what to do. And he is having none of it.

Characters

The characters are the narrator, who is clearly a kid in either middle school or high school. He (probably) is talking to a coach or teacher, or possibly the principal, Mr. Morris.

Memorable Quotes

Of course there are exceptions. You don’t want the heart surgeon to fail, or the health inspector. Or the soldier.

But failing to turn out the lights before you go to sleep? The difference in the bill is mere fractions of a penny—and you aren’t putting off the inevitable final loss of all fossil fuels. You’re only bringing it a day closer at the most. No biggie.

Rating

The story has a K rating.

Failure and Takeaways

If I could find a way to lop off something like nineteen words, I could conceivably enter this little dollop of story as a drabble for wherever those are being published these days.

But at this point in time, I am not so sure that it would be worth the time and effort, however small.

Failure indeed.

Click to buy Untrustworthy on Amazon

Want More of my Short Stories and Novellas?

If this story resonates with you, then check out some of my other blog posts about my shorter works.

Short Stories

Finally, for a complete list of my shorter works, please be sure to check out the Hub Page—Short Stories.

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Published inWriting