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.
Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.”
The Photo
“I can’t understand frog. I said, ‘Hello little guy.’ Maybe you could sign or something.”
“For heaven’s sake. How about I use English?”
“Wow. You speak English?”
“No. The guy across the way is throwing his voice.”
“What guy?”
“Forget the guy. I was being facetious. I’m speaking English. What the heck is the matter with you?”
“You ask that? Here I am holding a frog in my hand who is speaking English.”
“Yeah so?”
“So? Don’t you think that is cause to be a little confused?”
“If I were human I suppose it would be a little unusual.”
“If you were human? What the heck are you.”
“What do I look like?”
“A frog.”
“Looks like a frog. Just might be a frog.”
“Are you from outer space.”
“Nope. From right here in Murphy’s swamp where you found me.”
“How did you learn to speak English?”
“How many times have you come to this swamp to read your poetry?”
“Yeah, hundreds.”
“It would take a fool not to be able to speak after listening to all those poems.”
“Which one did you like the best?”
“I think the question should be, ‘Which one was the least offensive.”‘
“That was cold.”
“You are right. I just can’t help myself.”
“Are you a poet?”
“No, but I do review poetry.”
“You do?”
“Yup. For the New York Times.”
“My gosh. What is your byline.”
“Phineus P Phrog.”
“You are Phineus P. Phrog? I can’t believe it. I worship your reviews. You’ve made the most famous poets with your elegant words.”
“My goodness, you make me blush which is not a good thing when the crane comes around.”
“Please tell me my poems are not that bad.”
“I have professional integrity to maintain. Between you and me I think I would find something else to do.”
“Don’t say that. I love to read and write poetry.”
“You don’t have to give up reading.”
“You are breaking my heart.”
“I have an idea.”
“What’s that?”
“I could make you my assistant.”
“Your assistant? That sounds wonderful. What would I have to do?”
“Well. there’s a matter of needing proofreading.”
“Yeah, I can do that.”
“The mail is horrendous. Maybe you could answer the mail.”
“Perfect.”
“Twitter?”
“All over it.”
“My Facebook page needs a redo.”
“Consider it done.”
“Deadlines?”
“I have a great organizational system.”
“My blog?”
“I’ll ghostwrite and post for you.”
“Flies.”
“Flies?”
“I eat a lot of flies.”
“You don’t catch your own?”
“No time.”
“Freeze-dried?”
“Last resort.”
“Deal.”
Fiction Favorites 
I like that. A lot.
I suppose it was inevitable that we’d both base our pieces on the concept of a talking frog.
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Yours was very creative. I enjoyed it.
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Thanks, John 🙂
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Could this chap please come and help me, John. I also review poetry.
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Ha haha. Thanks, Robbie.
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That is quite the frog. How come I never encounter such magical creatures?
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Be careful of what you wish for, Dale. One may show up. 🐸
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Hahaha! Well, truth be told, we French Canadians are called frogs….
And, after going on dating sites (I’m done, thanks), I met my share of frogs, none of whom turned out to be my prince.
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I thought only the France French were called frogs. I learn something new every day.
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You’d think… but those who don’t know better, think we’re all the same (so not, I assure you. WE are nice…)
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I had some pretty embarrassing moments in France. Seems the French truely hate Americans. To us it is difficult to understand especially when you visit the cemetaries of the Americans who died there. I suppose it is like everything else. The memory fades.
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Sad, really. The Parisians, especially are awful. And not for nothing many American travellers put Canadian flags on their backpacks…
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I refused. My nephew did that. I called him a weenie.
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And you shouldn’t! You can be a proud American…
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That’s what I thought.
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I should have added. You are nice for sure. Also, I have never met a nasty Canadian.
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You are sweet.
Oh, I promise you, there are some. 😉
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As I say, I never met one. Maybe some day.
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Don’t try too hard!
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👍
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My imagination isn’t as good as yours, nor do I come up with whole scenarios like you. This is all I’ve got….
“Jeez, I’ve sat on a lot of smelly leaves, but this one reeks of garlic and onions!!”
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Ha haha. Good one, GP.
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Thanks. Does that mean my one good brain cell is still in operating condition?
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It must be one healthy brain cell for sure.
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Can you find me a frog who can write a multi-book proposal, John? Good job!
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Ha haha. Thanks, Jill
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This is delightful, John. Even with the freeze-dried flies.
“You don’t have to give up reading.” – I love that line 🙂
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Thank you, Dan. Ths was a fun one.
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I am not your prince, I am not a frog, I am a toad. So, put me down before I give you something in your hand that you do not want!!!
I couldn’t resist John! BAHAHAHAHA!
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I like it. Thank you for the visit, Gregory. BTW on your about page you mention seven dogs but only list and show five. I hope you included you and your partner in the being count. 😊
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that’s one smart frog who makes certain flies are included in the deal, LOL.
As always, a joy to read, John!
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Thank you, Mae. 😊
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John,
That is one prolific frog!
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I think so too. 😄 Thanks, Marc
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Like they say, “everyone is a freak’n critic” or should that be, “every frog is a freak’n critic”?
Personally, I don’t listen to frogs. They are too opinionated, guttural and self-absorbed. Fitting for The NYT. (Gosh, did I just write that about the times?)
If you want honest, solid and constructive critiques, talk to a dog. Don’t panic when they turn away or lick themselves. It is part of their process.
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I agree. Mine give me honest feedback. (Mostly they turn their back to me)
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You didn’t ask how much it pays. Probably better than writing fiction.
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Everything pays better than writing fiction. 😁 Thanks, Craig.
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Too funny, oh the imagination of Mr. Howell! 😀
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Just think. I have to live with it. Thanks, Gwen.
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The Frog sure knew how to play that one. This was a fun read, John!
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Glad you liked it Deborah. Fun was the whole idea.
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Now I’ve got that Ragtime Gal song stuck in my head.
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Ha haha. Sorry about that.
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A frogs assistant…lol 🙂 I hope he still writes his poetry, too.
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I’m sure he will.
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This photo gives me the creeps, but I enjoyed your story, John. A talking frog? Who’d have thought! I imagine if Froggie handles all the assignments he’s passing off, he’s busier than a long-tailed cat in a room full of rockers!
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I just listed the stuff I do dailey. Thanks, Debbie.
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LOL. I’ve had more than a few frogs dis my work. The frog is a funny and sharply written character, John.
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Thank you, Rob.
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Freeze dried flies…now there’s a concept. Highly entertaining, John!
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Thank you, Jan. 😄
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Now you have me wondering if that frog would turn into a prince if I kissed him, John. After all, he can talk, can’t he?
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A hard question to answer. I would be afraid that if you kissed him you would turn into a frog. I suppose 50/50 odds aren’t all that bad. 😀
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Now I know why some people refer to me as Kermit. 😬
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Ha hahaha.
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So that’s your secret, John!
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Yup. Have a frog assistant
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Funnnn-ny! Dang that was some good reading, friend. I’m glad to read it after your kind comment about my own “dialogue only” post and mentioning that you, too, have tried that challenge. Here’s some durn good proof of it! Write on, John. Add one more fan to your list!
Jay
http://septuagenarianjourney.com/know-your-uniqueness/
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Thank you, Jay. Have a great weekend.
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Really good, John. Creative and a fun read.
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😀
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[…] The Fifth Encounter by John W. Howell © 2019 […]
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