Bob and the Magic of the Short Story Machine

 

Bob and the Magic of the Short Story Machine

Toronto is full of surprises, and Bob, ever the curious street photographer, recently stumbled upon an unusual little machine tucked away in a quiet corner. It wasn’t selling snacks or drinks—it was dispensing something far more interesting: stories.

The "Short Story Dispenser" stood there, glowing softly, offering tales at the push of a button. The best part? It let you choose how long of a story you wanted—1 minute, 3 minutes, or 5 minutes—perfect for a quick literary escape. No scrolling, no ads, just pure storytelling printed on a strip of receipt-like paper.

Bob, wrapped in his warm coat, adjusted his glasses and pondered his choice. Would it be a brief but punchy one-minute read? A slightly more immersive three-minute tale? Or a deeper five-minute story to let his imagination wander? He pressed a button, and out came the story, unrolling like a fortune from an oversized cookie.

This was exactly why Bob loved photo walks. You never know what you're going to find. One moment, you're capturing the rhythm of the city—the blur of a streetcar, a neon reflection in a puddle—and the next, you’re standing in front of a machine that hands you a random story, as if the city itself had decided to tell you something.

As a storyteller himself, Bob appreciated the beauty of an unexpected narrative. This little moment, captured in a quiet corner of the city, reminded him that Toronto wasn’t just a backdrop; it was alive with stories, waiting to be read, written, and photographed.

Would you stop for a short story if you saw one of these machines? Let Bob know in the comments!