[ WP ] The shortest story ever told . Once upon a time there was a magical place where it never rained . The end .

It had been raining for a week. The news reports talked about record downpours and flooded houses and businesses. 
 
 Andy, sat on his bed by the window, staring out at the pools of light under street lamps, heavily flecked by rain. 
 
 The door behind him opened and his mother walked in. 
 
'Come now, Andy. You've been up far too long. It's time to go to bed.' 
 
 The bleary eyed boy, climbed under the sheets, fidgeting to get comfortable. His mother kneeled down by his bed and tucked him in. 
 
'Tell me a story,' he slurred through his tiredness. 
 
'Andy, please, you're exhausted.' 
 
'I ca n't go to sleep without a story.' 
 
 She could hear the agitation in his voice, threatening to bring him back to alertness. 
 
'Okay, okay. Close your eyes.' 
 
'Tell me of the place where it never rained. A magic place.' 
 
'Okay.' 
 
 Andy's eyes closed and his mother began.'Once upon a time. There was a magical place where it never rained. 
 
'It was very quiet and peaceful, serene even.' 
 
 She noticed that Andy's breathing had become noisier. He was drifting off. 
 
'You see, water is needed for life. And so this magically quiet land was a desert.' 
 
 Andy did n't respond. 
 
'And nothing lived. And everything that crossed the land died, because there was no water and no rain. So there was nothing there. Absolutely barren. No interest at all. The end.' 
 
 His mother stared at him for a few seconds. Andy did n't stir. Gently she leaned over to the lamp, turned it off. She got to her feet and walked to the room door and gently opened it. 
 
 And then she heard,'Tomorrow night, can you tell a better story?' 
 
 She smiled.'Yes, Andy. I promise.'
