Bolt the Robot and the Giggle Machine

Bolt the robot delivers every letter in Clockwork Corner without a single mistake, but cannot work out why the people around him keep making that odd sound.

A robot who wants to learn how to laugh

In a tidy little town called Clockwork Corner, there lived a robot named Bolt. Bolt had a square silver head, two round blue lights for eyes, and arms that whirred softly whenever he moved. He was very good at his job: delivering the morning mail.

He sorted letters perfectly. He never got lost. He never forgot a single address.

But Bolt had one puzzle he could not solve. He did not understand laughing.

Every day, he heard it all around him. The baker laughed while kneading dough. The children laughed on the swings. Even old Mr. Pennywhistle laughed at his own jokes, which weren't very good.

"Why do they make that sound?" Bolt wondered. "It is not words. It does not deliver information. But everyone seems to enjoy it very much."

One afternoon, Bolt rolled up to the bakery. The baker, Mrs. Crumb, was telling a story to a group of customers.

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Quick answers about Bolt the Robot and the Giggle Machine

What is Bolt the Robot and the Giggle Machine about?

Bolt the robot delivers every letter in Clockwork Corner without a single mistake, but cannot work out why the people around him keep making that odd sound.

Is Bolt the Robot and the Giggle Machine free to read?

Yes. Every story on RapidTale is free to read in the browser, with no sign-up and nothing to install.

How long does it take to read?

This story runs 1 chapter — most readers finish in one sitting, and you can stop and return to any chapter using the contents list.

Who wrote it?

Nimra Khan — original fiction published on RapidTale.