(magic realism miniflash story)

In the fancy town of Peculiarville, the residents had an unusual tradition. Every Friday the 13th, they gathered in the town square to celebrate “The Great Umbrella Swap.” It all started decades ago when a forgetful gentleman named Mr. Thompson accidentally left his umbrella at the bakery.

Instead of retrieving it, he took a different one from a nearby shop, thinking it was his own. The next person who borrowed that umbrella did the same, and so on, creating a chain of unintentional exchanges. Eventually, the town embraced the mix-up, turning it into a whimsical event.

On this particular Friday the 13th, the townsfolk arrived in the square with their mismatched umbrellas, each one a testament to the comical confusion that had become a beloved tradition.

Mayor Whimsy, a jovial character with a penchant for puns, stood on a makeshift stage fashioned from stacked crates.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the most anticipated event in Peculiarville – The Great Umbrella Swap! It’s time to find out which umbrella fate has chosen for you today.”

The crowd erupted in laughter and applause as the swapping began. Friends traded with friends, strangers exchanged umbrellas with a wink and a smile. The square turned into a sea of colorful canopies twirling in the air.

In the midst of the chaos, Mrs. Jenkins found herself holding a polka-dotted umbrella three times her size. She giggled and declared, “Well, I’ve never seen the sky through polka dots before!”

Meanwhile, Mr. Higgins discovered he was now the proud owner of a tiny, child-sized umbrella adorned with cartoon characters. He shrugged and said, “Guess I’ll be staying dry in style today!”

As the day unfolded, Peculiarville embraced the delightful mix-up of umbrellas. The townsfolk wandered the streets, sharing laughter and swapping stories about their peculiar finds. The Great Umbrella Swap became more than just a tradition; it became a symbol of the town’s quirky spirit, reminding everyone that sometimes the best surprises are the ones we never expected.