Stone Soup

Where young artists paint the world with words

The international magazine of stories, poems, and art by young writers and artists. Published continuously since 1973.

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(Somewhat) Empty Alley

The alley was deserted when the man came with a camera to snap a picture. The flash startled everything there scaring the rodents back into their holes, and causing the birds to flutter up into the air. All the unseen life truly deserted the alley until the scent of food drew them back. Dark as shadow and unseen by the man and the flash, the creatures inhabit the alley once again.