Micro/Flash Fiction 1

The Puzzle, by Phil Gardner
http://www.philgardner.net/mfPuzzle.html

The Puzzle is about literally, a jigsaw puzzle. However the jigsaw is not only a puzzle, it represents life. The main characters are Steve and the jigsaw puzzle. The conflict is about Steve's struggles to put the puzzle together. Steve mainly conflicts with external forces to try and find the last missing piece of the puzzle. The theme of this micro fiction is the importance of one piece in relation to the whole. Until Steve found the last piece, the puzzle was described as "incomplete and useless." The missing piece was also described as insignificant until it was found. When the missing piece is placed in the puzzle both have a significance. While each alone seem insignificant, when together they take on a new meaning and are source of happiness. Steve's struggle to find the missing piece also represents one's struggle with life. Steve turned his house upside down to find the missing piece, only to find it in plain view. Today people struggle to put their lives together and find the missing piece(s). The jigsaw puzzle is a metaphor for life. Life is a puzzle and is put together with determination, just as Steve was able to complete his jigsaw puzzle over time.