By: John Pettett.

It’s been a great day. Sold almost the whole lot. Bikes, surfboards, paint, tools. Holy smoke, the stuff we had was embarrassing. Just one, never-been-used, broom to go.

“This should be perfect,” says a sweet, small voice at my elbow. Looking down, I see a silver-haired, kind-faced lady just four feet tall.

“Would you mind if I test it first, dear?” she asks.

“It’s just a broom,” I stutter, a tad confused.

“Please, young man,” she implores, disarmingly.

And off she goes, over the rooftops and into the setting sun, never to be seen again.

Dammit. I’m out three bucks.

© 2025. John Pettett

John Pettett is a Sydney based writer active in Writing NSW and affiliated writing groups. He often engages with philosophical and whimsical themes through character-driven narratives.

Posted January 21, 2026.