Here are Keith’s words. “Using this photo (Below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; and either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithkreates@channing.fr before 6pm next Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here – pingbacks don’t often work.
Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries, with links to your own blog or web site, next Monday.”
The photo.
The Gift by John W. Howell © 2016
“I love imported gifts. So you say my present is hand-made in England.”
“Yes, and I’m not going to tell you any more about it.”
“Aw come on. You can give me a bigger hint. After all, it’s not going to get here in time for the holiday.”
“Oh, darling. I want you to be surprised. If I give you more hints you might guess what it is.”
“But I’m bursting with curiosity. Please? One more little tip?”
“Okay. Let me see. The gift represents what is good about nature.”
“My goodness. That is a strange hint. I expected something like, ‘It shines in the light like a star.'”
“Er. No. I thought you had rejected the commercialism and conspicuous spending that would be represented by something that shines in the light like a star.”
“Oh, I never said that. I said we should stick to more natural gifts like real metals and gems.”
“I guess I misunderstood your desires then. I thought we were going back to basics.”
“Well tell me gold and silver are not basic. How much more basic is a diamond?”
“I got you a symbol. A handmade symbol of recycling.”
“Recycling? Did you get me a hand-made basket of mulch?”
“No. Nothing like that. This you can keep in the house.”
“Now I’m not sure I want any more hints. I was hoping for a tangible expression of our love.”
“This is tangible.”
“Can I wear it on my finger.?”
“Er. No, but you can hold it in your arms.”
“In arms from England. OMG, you bought one of those Corgi dogs that the Queen hauls around.”
“No nothing like that. Tell you what. Let’s forget the English gift. It may not be the right thing, after all, I think I’ll just do something different.”
“Give me a hint?”
“Better than that, I’ll let you pick it out.”
Fiction Favorites 
Hilarious!! OMG…. And, the photo is priceless! Thank you for the morning chuckle…
We live on a hill overlooking a lake and watch eagles nest and the babes take flight….so my interest is the gentleman’s library. 🙂
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Sounds wonderful. I have always loved Eagles and Ospreys. I have the Audubon Society’s nest cams so I can check in the the chicks when they hatch in warmer weather.
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OMG, that is so good. I love it. And I loooooove the condor. I need to have the condor. Can i buy it? Here is it why. I am writing books about condors and a challenged girl making friend with a pair of condors. an adventure story. Please check them out.
DID MATICA RAN FROM HERSELF, FROM HER SORROWS? SHE WANTED TO. BUT IF SHE HAD, WOULD SHE HAVE MEET TALON?
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Thanks, Gigi. I wish you well on your book.
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Thank you John, did you do the condor? I just love it. He would be going so good with my story. I really would love to have him. I will write a short story about Talon, the condor in my books. I hope that is okay.
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The picture was taken by Keith Channing and he lives in France. This was a prompt and I don’t know where you can get a toy Condor. I Googled it and there are some cute ones but not like the one in the picture. Sorry.
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Thank you again for the information and try to google it. how did you googled it? Can you give me the link, please?
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I just typed “Toy Condor” into the Google search box.
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Thank you so very much. Will do it. Have a great day and Marry Christmas to you and family
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Merry Christmas to you as well.
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Loved the recycling line. Don’t see what’s wrong with a stuffed vulture toy. The fun one could have putting that in random places.
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I know right? I could see it on the dinner table at the end where grandpa used to sit. 😀
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Hilarious and creepy. Just whisper ‘I think it’s looking at you’ to people.
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Or “I think it likes you.”
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😂
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Ha ha ha.
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You can upgrade from my raven of doubt.
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Sounds good. Thanks, Craig. 🙂
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A handmade basket of mulch . . . I have to assume that’s the new age lump of coal. I feel soooo responsible living in this day and age! I love this Sheriff! I was cracking up at the photo, and then I was cracking up a whole lot more, you funny, funny man.
Best wishes, C
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Thanks, Pilgrim. You say the nicest things. 😀
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She asks way too many questions.Great job, John! That guy looks like my Uncle Clarence! 🙂
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Good ole Uncle Clarence. Thanks, Jill.
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I’d go with it. After all, it’s the thought that counts (said no one to anyone expecting a diamond).
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Ha ha ha. I like that, Dan. Thanks.
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Hmmm, it begs the question, what will you pick out, John? Thanks for the morning smile!
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Ha ha ha. You never know. I have my eye on a 35 foot Bertram inboard twin cruiser. (Never happen)
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Another gem! Thanks for the morning chuckle, John! 🙂
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My total pleasure,Natalie. Thanks.
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Ha Ha!!! Good one!!
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Thanks, Jan. 😀
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I’m with Charles. I’d love to receive that gift!
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Ha ha ha. 😀
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😀 😀 😀 Had that condor ended up in my house as a Christmas gift, I would have skipped Christmas.
Love the picture and your take on this story. 😛
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Thanks Tess.
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GOOD one, John! That photo is beyond words — I had no clue where you’d take the accompanying story, but as usual, I wasn’t disappointed. Now, about the Corgis — I’ll take as many as I can (and they and Dallas can practice herding on each other, ha!)
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That would be fun to see. Thanks, Debbie.
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Ideal gift for a culture vulture
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Very good. 🙂
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