I read somewhere recently that one of the shortest stories is:
"For sale: baby shoes, never worn."
Speaks volumes, all by itself! But generally, I agree that putting a forced length on a story can be stifling. Saying that, the 199 word contest I've been doing has been both challenging and fun.
Anyway, you were asking for a sign... I wish I had one of my favorite signs for you, but I'm 1000s of miles away from it now. We lived in a community called Bassett, and there was this directional sign for two places... but as it read, it said:
"Basset Crematorium
Sports Centre."
Here is another sign I saw in my time in England.
Best wishes on your contest.
Well thank you for your entry and comment & best wishes. Looks like that sign you have entered has been there a while.
Yes, I think it has. :-)
It's almost a miracle that it's still there, to be honest. It dates from when horses were used to pull the canal boats/barges. Nowadays, canal boats are purely recreational and motorized.
I figured as much about the horses drawing the boats & barges. It looks like it is an old porcelain sign for the printing to be in the shape it is.