Hugh J. O'Donnell

When the brothers captured Medusa, they first went about rendering the monster harmless. They bound her hand and foot, and wrapped a blindfold tightly over her eyes. They beheaded the venomous serpents that crawled through her hair.
While the gorgon wept in a corner, the trio argued over how and where to sell their bounty.
When the crying turned to laugher, the eldest brother came up and boldly struck their bound captive.
“What’s so funny, monster?” He asked.
“They were never snakes,” she replied. “They’re hydras!”
“Bring a torch, quickly!” The eldest brother called, but it was already too late.

“Rondanini Medusa Glyptothek Munich 252 n1” by Unknown (Greek original by Phidias) is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Everyday Drabbles © 2026 by Hugh J. O’Donnell is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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The station owners held a ball every year on the Outer Ring, in a docking bay converted into a recreation 18th century ballroom.
The guest list was exclusive, and the dress code black tie.
The Safety Officer was appalled, but obligated to attend. When he arrived he caused a stir, but he’d followed the letter of the dress code, squeezing a cummerbund and dinner jacket over his space suit. His gloves were white.
He endured criticism of his attire all through cocktail hour, but when the emergency docking alarm triggered during the salad course, he was the only one prepared.

“TINYHI Men’s Pre-Tied Satin Formal Tuxedo Bowtie Adjustable Length Satin Bow Tie” by Shopping Guide 7 is marked with CC0 1.0.

Everyday Drabbles © 2026 by Hugh J. O’Donnell is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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When the wanderers stumbled across an unexpected oasis in the desert, they couldn’t believe their luck. They climbed a rise and found themselves looking down at a small forest of palm trees, laden with sweet, ripe fruit ringing pools of cool, clear water. It felt like a miracle.
Some fell on their knees and gave thanks, while others rushed forward, intent on taking advantage of their good fortune.
But none of them realized the truth until it was too late. Even a paradise is an ecosystem, and all ecosystems have an apex predator. The beast watched their approach with interest.

“49 Palms Oasis; Twentynine Palms, CA” by Joshua Tree National Park is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0.

Everyday Drabbles © 2026 by Hugh J. O’Donnell is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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She maneuvered the horse carefully into the yard as the stablehands opened the gate. He was spirited after being cooped up, and she patted his flank affectionately.
He was an exceptional steed, and she was an experienced rider. But as she looked out beyond the fence, she felt a familiar stab of queasy panic she tried to ignore.
She tapped her heels gently against her flank. Pegasus burst into a full run, and leapt through the gate. He spread his wings and caught the air.
Her mind stopped screaming that horses were not meant to fly and her heart sang.

“Pegasus on Pont Alexandre, Paris” by Max London is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Everyday Drabbles © 2026 by Hugh J. O’Donnell is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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She came to the graveyard every night, and simply sat.. The dead, rising like steam from their graves, regarded her with suspicion. No shade takes kindly to a necromancer’s presence.
But she did them no harm, only sat and listened. And she left offerings behind every morning. Slowly, like animals tamed by careful feeding, the dead accepted her presence. Eventually, they told her their stories.
The other necromancers mocked her for her gentle methods. The dead were to be commanded, not befriended.
She ignored their foolish criticism. She knew that there were some secrets you could never take by force.

“Lonely Graveyard, Grafton Ghost Town, UT 8-2007” by inkknife_2000 (11.5 million views) is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Everyday Drabbles © 2026 by Hugh J. O’Donnell is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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The owl perched high in the trees, watching the forest below below. It struggled to focus, though.
The familiar was tasked with scouting for his wizard’s enemies, but its instincts screamed to hunt prey among the undergrowth. Powerful magic and ancient instincts warred within it’s mind.
The bird froze, sensing movement below. A squirrel scampered onto a fallen log. The owl watched, magic constraining muscles trying to tense for flight.
Suddenly, the squirrel spat a gout of flame into the trees. The owl dodged and dived, descending on the familiar of his wizard’s rival.
Sometimes, desires could be in concert.

“Great Horned Owl” by brendan.lally….away is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Everyday Drabbles © 2026 by Hugh J. O’Donnell is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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The thief held his hand lightly over the shelf, feeling for the telltale tingle of magic trapped in ink and vellum.
Carefully, as to only bend the ward and not break it, he slid a scroll free and slipped it into his bag with the others.
He left the manor the way he’d come. He already had a buyer lined up for the scrolls, one who didn’t fear the Merchant Lords or Sorcerer Princes.
It had taken him a lifetime to learn the skills needed to steal the scrolls. Someday, he promised himself, he would learn how to read them.

“Frankfurt Book Fair Guest of Honour Scroll” by NZatFrankfurt is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Everyday Drabbles © 2026 by Hugh J. O’Donnell is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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A popular rumor at the monastery was that of the ‘Flame Jab.’
They said the head abbot knew a secret martial arts technique so powerful it set the very air on fire, but he would only teach it to a worthy successor. The rumor had been around for as long as anyone could remember, and someone always told it to each new class of initiates.
Their instructors let this impropriety slip because even though it encouraged worldly desire and impure thought, it also encouraged correct actions and helped establish good habits.
Besides, one never knew if it might be true.

“Bhutan – Taktsang Monastery ‘Tiger´s nest’” by Göran Höglund (Kartläsarn) is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Everyday Drabbles © 2026 by Hugh J. O’Donnell is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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After retiring, the adventurer cashed in some favors and moved to the Elven capital.
She fell in love with the beautiful city with its lush foliage and broad, curving streets that spiraled out like the petals of a flower. She relaxed into the languorous pace of the Elves, who viewed time much more slowly than humans. She adored her cozy little house, grown out of the side of a redwood.
But when her window broke, she was told not to worry and that her tree would grow a new one in a few years. Then she kicked up a fuss.

“Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park” by docentjoyce is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Everyday Drabbles © 2026 by Hugh J. O’Donnell is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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