Some of the best movies are based on short stories and for good reason. Like poems, every word counts. They’re like bread crumbs leading you into a rich place where you will either find complete satisfaction or be disturbed for days. At any rate, short stories are exhilarating.

This one is no exception. The writing prompt was a grandmother accidentally conjures up a demon. But she thinks it’s really her grandson going through a goth phase.

I won’t ruin it by trying to retell it. You should get to read it yourself. You deserve this treat.

Let’s begin.

The logline

Our adventure starts…

…in grandma’s house

The conjured demon realizes something is wrong

It sees the summoning circle

Enter grandma

She’s surprised to see her visitor

But not for the reason you think

She thinks she’s looking at her grandson

She clearly loves her grandson unconditionally, as grandmas do

The old dear can’t see very well

Unexpectedly, grandma asks the demon to make the coffee

The demon is humored by grandma’s error

The demon even does as grandma asks

Grandma can’t see the broad side of a barn

But she’s so happy about the surprise visit

She doesn’t get many visitors

Even a demon knows how to behave like a guest in someone’s home

Grandma assumes her grandson has strained his voice

The demon eats its cake and lets grandma prattle on

She has a surprise waiting

She was finishing it when the demon arrived

The end

People loved this story about the old lady and the demon who is now her grandson.

Fans wrote alternate endings

They were just as clever

One ending gave grandma a hellhound named Honey.

Everyone agreed it was the sweetest demon-based short story they’d ever read.

Awwwww… how sweet? Hmmm..

Have an ending for our unlikely trio? Leave it in the comments!