In Keith’s words. “Using this photo (below) 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.
The Audition by John W. Howell © 2018
“Okay, sir. What is it you’re doing today?”
“I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to join the Wildlife Club.”
“This is a tryout, sir. We will determine if you are qualified for the Wildlife membership after your audition.”
“Oh, I know that. You’ll have to excuse me. I’m really excited about becoming a member.”
“Yessir. We are very excited about that prospect as well. Again, what are you doing for your audition?”
“Ah, very good then. Today I’m going to demonstrate various calling techniques.”
“Calling techniques?”
“My first is hawk calling.”
“Excuse me. I missed that. Did you say hog calling.”
“Ha ha ha. I know it sounded like that. No, hawk, that is h-a-w-k calling. C-a-l-l— ”
“I get it. Looks like you already have a hawk.”
“Oh, that is just a decoy.”
“What are the dogs doing?”
“They are ready to go after the groundhog.”
“Groundhog?”
“Yes, see this little puppet on my hand?”
“Hadn’t noticed it before, but now I do.”
“It’s a groundhog lure.”
“Groundhog lure? How does it work?”
“You wiggle it like so while blowing this whistle.”
“Pardon me, but you have a funny smirk on your face. Is this for real?”
“Oh please don’t think I’m not sincere. It’s just when I blow the whistle, so many groundhogs show up it is comical.”
“Okay. You can start any time.”
“First the hawk call. Sooooouuuuuuuuuuiiiiiiieeeeeeeeee. Now the whistle.”
“Mr. Peters?”
“Yes?”
“Where did all these pigs come from?”
“I’m sure I couldn’t tell you. They are in the way of the groundhogs though.”
“Thank you. We’ll be in touch.”
“Did I make it?”
“Don’t call us. we’ll call you.”
Fiction Favorites 
Okay…I’m laughing so hard at the photo, I can’t read your story yet! Thanks for the Tuesday morning giggles, John!
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The photo is a kick for sure, Jill. 😀
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I love morning chuckles; what a wild story! Hawks, dogs, groundhogs, and wild pigs…it’s the makings of another “Babe” (one of my favorites 😀 ). The applicant in the photo seems right at home with the menagerie; maybe he knows something the rest of us don’t. 🙂
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A mondern Noah maybe. Thanks, Gwen.
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Another good take, John. The truth is, if anything, even stranger!
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I can’t imagine what went on here. I do know it was funny as anything.
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The story, in brief, is here. And yes, it was as funny as it looked.
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Terrific story, Keith. Thank you for sharing it with me.
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I think you nailed the prompt today, John!!
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Thank you, GP. Wanted a little different from the obvioue. (wharever that is in this photo)
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Guess they were right about the hogs. I do feel sorry for that guy with a hawk on his head. That can’t feel good.
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Ha ha ha. I agree.
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Bet he never gets that phone call back. Tee hee. Fun, John.
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I don’t think he should hold his breath while waiting. 😀
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P.S. I added a caption while visiting Keith’s blog post. You inspired me. 🙂
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Always fun to be inspired. Thanks, Pamela.
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I needed a good laugh today, John, so thanks! That is a tough photo to work with – nicely done!
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Thank you, Dan. The first thing I thought was audition. Don’t know why. 😀
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I’d say it has something to do with a slightly twisted mind… no offense intended.
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None taken for sure. 😀
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I took one look at that photo and thought “I can’t wait to see what he does with this one.” Genius! 🙂
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Ha ha ha. I took one look and thought, “Oh crap.” 😀
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😀
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😀
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What great picture to work from! You had me cracking up again. He could come lure the groundhogs out of my garden:)
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Ha ha ha. I would like him for gopher duty. Thaks, Denise.
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I feel like Alec Baldwin in Glengarry Glen Ross when he rips into his salesman about the fine art of cold calling.
No steak knives for this dude.
Thanks for the laughs, Boss . . as per.
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LOL!
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😀
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Oh my God! I’m still laughing. Groundhogs and pigs. Oh, the uniquely twisted mind of John Howell! There is nothing ordinary about your creativity, John. 🙂
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Thank you, Jan. I love this comment. 😀
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Oh, boy, this one’s a keeper, John!! I wouldn’t have known where to start with this photo. The dogs look pretty fascinated though.
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They do. I think mesmorized is the word. 😀
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I think this guy deserves a trial membership.
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If nothing else for trying. I agree. Thanks, Craig.
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He just have to look for the job at another place (a farm?) 🙃😉
The dude is def overachiever lol
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ROFL!!! Oh my gosh, that’s hilarious. I think he’d make it into many of my birding groups though.
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The real story is he was trying to teach the hawk to hover and it landed on his head. 😀
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How do you think these up, John? This is hilarious!
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Hard to explain (cause I don’t know) but thank you, Lauren.
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This is so funny!!!
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Thank you, Jennie.
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You’re welcome, John.
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I have a feeling that guys is (or thinks) he’s Dr Dolittle, John. Either that, or he’s just great at talking to pigs.
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No I think you nailed it with the former. 😀
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[…] The Audition by John W. Howell © 2018 […]
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