In Keith’s words. “Using this photo as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com 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.
Lullaby of Birdland by John W. Howell © 2018
“Yes, ma’am that’s correct. Derick Dazzle of Chanel Ten News.”
“Oh, my. What brings you out on this gloomy day?”
“We have received many calls from our viewers wondering what you are doing.”
“I can’t imagine anyone calling a TV station about me. Why not just ask?”
“I’m sure I don’t know ma’am. My producer sent me here to get your side of the story.”
“My side. What are people saying? Also, please quit calling me ma’am. My name is Princess of Flight.”
“Ah, Princess of Flight, huh? How did you get that name?”
“I’m sure I don’t know. It has been my name forever. I suppose my parents gave it to me. You still haven’t told me what people are saying?”
“Well Princess, they are saying you must be mentally unstable.”
“Unstable? Why is that?”
“You sit here every day with big bags of bird food and feed these pesky pidgins.”
“Who says the pidgins are pesky?”
“Everyone. They are known to make a big mess here in the plaza.”
“They are one of God’s creatures and deserve to be treated fairly. I am looking out for them.”
“I can see that, Princess. Doesn’t it bother you that people think you are not doing the right thing?”
“Who says I’m not doing the right thing?”
“Well, feeding pests seems to be wrong.”
“Would everyone be happy if these so-called pests disappeared?”
“I suppose they would.”
“Good. You see I run a restaurant across town, and one of my most popular dishes is squab under glass. Eventually, I will have served every last one of these fat beauties. What do you think of my mental state now?”
“I think I need to go home and lay down.”
Fiction Favorites 
LOL! Great surprise ending!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Phil.
LikeLike
Sounds good. I have a recipe for stewed pigeon from the seventeenth century. Do you think she’d like it, were I to send it to her?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure she would like an alternate to roasted. Go ahead and send it. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Whoooooosh! Sent. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
She thanks you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol! I think I need to lay down, too.🤢
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha ha. Thanks, Jill. Love that tree emoji.
LikeLike
🤢🤢
LikeLiked by 1 person
Auto correct made green into tree. Ha haha.
LikeLike
LOL! I thought is was a sick (green) face. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s one way to get cheap supplies.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yup. Makes the profit margin huge. 😀
LikeLike
Omg haha that was an awesome 👏 one!! I didn’t expect that 🙂 what a mean princess haha
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes she does have a mean streak for sure. Thanks, Ray. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The first thing I thought of was, “Jeez, if he thinks I’m going to feed all his birds for him, he has another thing coming!”
BUT – then I read your story, you win again, John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha aha ha. I still like yours, GP. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
HA! You got me on this one, John. I wonder what the princess will put on the menu after the pigeons are gone – wait, is that even possible?
LikeLiked by 2 people
I hear tell there are a lot of squirrels around. 😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
Uh oh, don’t tell my wife. The princess would be in danger.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, for sure. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, my!! I didn’t see that coming either! Great job, John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, John. 🙂
LikeLike
She is apparently one very savvy Princess of Flight. Great unexpected ending, John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Mae. I always appreciate your comments. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
The riot started the next day when the square was flooded with restaurateurs. PETA showed up and the pigeons watched the event from the tops of buildings.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A wonderful urban adventure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aha! Not so mentally unstable after all. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Not so much. Thanks, Jan
LikeLike
Who’s the ‘pigeon’ now? Bwahahaha!
Loved the flight, Boss!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Marc.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like she’s got a winning formula here, John! Lure the birdies, then turn them into cold hard cash!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not to mention avoiding the health department
LikeLiked by 1 person
Being around so many pigeons, one can understand the utility of a headscarf and shawl. Just say’n.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree.
LikeLike
I loved the ending, John…huge surprise!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Denise. I’m glad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
As always, you nailed it! Do Bailey and Lucy keep you energized (the walks – adventures!) for writing? ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes for sure. Thanks Billy Ray.
LikeLike
🙂 ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
Lol is right. I looked at the face of the woman in the photo and you final line is exactly how she seems. Too good, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Audrey. That look got me.
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
Ha ha ha! That was a surprise ending. I think I’ll pass on dinner.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What and miss out on the roasted squab? We have turnips as a side dish too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I realized long ago that if I had to kill meat to eat… no, if I were the wife who had to take the killed meat that my husband gave me and turn that into dinner… you get the point. I love meat, as long as it’s from the grocery store. Thanks, but I’ll pass on the squab.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What about the turnip side dish?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I could handle that.
LikeLike
Haha! I didn’t expect that ending, John, and I just lost my appetite..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha ha. Please give Lauren a tofu replacement for her squab.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, no, not tofu, too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Shaped like a squab
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m not eating today, either
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha haha.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL! I was watching a baking show last night and one recipe was of a Game Pie. An old Victorian dish. In it were venison, pheasant, and pigeon. I thought it needed gravy, but since it’s traditionally eaten cold, or room temperature I guess a chutney or something like that would be better suited.
I’d try it. I’ll eat anything that doesn’t eat me first. 🙂
I’ve never heard pigeon called squab. I’m going to look that up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Or maybe it is just me. I’m a fiction writer you know.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 A good one at that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw. You are too kind. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Squab is pigeon! Lots of recipes on the WEB for it too.
I guess it’s on the menu in lots of countries but we get the willies with that option here in the states.
Guess it lost favor to more commercial meats.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. I personally wouldn’t want a Central Park Pigeon for dinner.
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] Lullaby of Birdland by John W. Howell © 2018 […]
LikeLike
Thank you for posting my story. Hre is tomorrows. https://johnwhowell.com/2018/03/27/tuesday-anything-possible-kreative-kue-167/
LikeLike