Set by Dipak Ghosh The five important elements of a short story are characters, setting, plot, conflict and theme. These were all well represented in Ernest Hemingway's tiny "For sale: baby shoes, never worn", which he supposedly claimed was his best work. We asked you for short stories, in ten words or fewer, about some topical news item

I've had a few moans in this week. Harry Glenister has written to complain that, as well as David Silverman, he also entered the Book of the Year comp (unlikely title and author) with To Kill a Mockingbird by Bill Oddie, and only David Silverman won. I can't check this, as Harry sent in a handwritten entry that has been thrown away. But my memory is that a number of entrants came up with that book, and even more had Bill Oddie attached to other titles, but only David put the two together. Usually, if two people come up with the same idea, they share the prize. If I inadvertently overlooked Harry I apologise profusely.

And Paul Bond, who now styles himself "dear Paul Bond" as I referred to him in my comp report castigating him for not having the energy to go out and buy the Sun or Mail to research their house styles, has put in a request: "Just don't rubbish me! - my public is nearly revolting." Perish the thought!

£5 book tokens for the singletons and a £10 cheque for the doubletons. In addition, the Tesco vouchers go to John O'Byrne for going beyond the call of duty.

Puzzled, Friday studied the embers: a carbon footprint!

Ken v Boris. London decides. Fifty-four million provincials shrug.

Adrian Fry

MPs' expenses? Look into that for me, son.

Who is in charge after Putin? Vladimir, that's who.

John O'Byrne

Fairy-tale marriage. Gruesome divorce. She is rich ever after.

Alanna Blake

Cry God for Harry, Afghanistan . . . By George! He's home alone.

M E Ault

Blues and Royals flak jacket. As new.

David Silverman

Water, water everywhere - in ships, in plastic bottles.

Steve Cornforth

Darling saves Rock. No longer darling.

John Palmer

Small British earthquake. Kills nobody.

J Seery

They think it's Obama. It is now.

John Griffiths-Colby

Amy, up down, in out, still singing.

Katie Mallett

Rendition. Sedition. Perdition.

Graham Whyte

Capital's blond bombshell aims to go beyond our Ken.

Basil Ransome-Davies

Gazza sectioned. His fans still remain outside.

Ian Birchall

Become PM. Rock around clock. Make speech. Murder your Darling.

Bill Greenwell

No 4021 Protect and survive

Set by Hank T Romein

So . . . Brick Lane in east London has started padding its lamp posts to prevent those who use its thoroughfare from suffering "walk and text" injuries. Please suggest other measures to protect us from the hazards of 21st-century life.

Email: comp@newstatesman.co.uk

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