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.
The Lesson by John W. Howell ©2019
“Now my son. It is time you learned the ways of the sea.”
“Ways of the sea? What do you mean Papa?”
“Soon you will be a man and the duty of providing for your family will fall to you.”
“I don’t have a family except for you, Mama, and sister.”
“There will be a time when you will take a spouse, my son.”
“That is a long way off I hope.”
“Yet that time will come. And then you will have children.”
“Wait, Papa. I don’t want to rush into anything.”
“Just so you are prepared to be able to provide for them it is time we begin your lessons of the sea.”
“Can we hurry. I have a baseball game this afternoon.”
“The first lesson is very brief, my son.”
“Are you sure we need to begin this future life thingy now?”
“The mysteries of the sea will take years to learn. There is no time like the present to begin.”
“Very well, Papa. I will try to do my best. What is the first lesson?”
“Now you make me very proud, my son. My heart is bursting with my love for you.”
“Thank you, Papa. What do I need to know first?”
“See the water, my son. It is filled with millions of fishes and other good things to eat. If you know its ways, you can live a fine life from its bounty.”
“I love to eat fish, Papa.”
“So here is the first thing you need to know.”
“You have my attention.”
“Take this, my son.”
“Your phone Papa?”
“Yes. Dial 210-555-5555.”
“Okay now what?”
“Tell them this is a pickup for four orders of the deep-fried fish and chips with cole slaw.”
Fiction Favorites 
Lesson well learnt.
However:
Coleslaw with fish and chips? Must be an American thing!
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Ha haha. I guess so on the coleslaw.
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Reblogged this on Smorgasbord Blog Magazine and commented:
John Howell weaves his magic with lessons from the sea… prompted by Keith Channing’s challenge… had me going for a minute…
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Hilarious twist there.
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Thank you, Charles. You were my muse on this one.
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I’m honored. 😁
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Clever twist – didn’t see it coming.
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Thank you, Mary. I love that. 😊
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LOL! That was good, John! 🙂
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Thank you, Jill. 😊
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haha, we were in similar mind today, John. I kept looking at the picture before reading your story and thought, “They heck with fishing, son. I got these at the grocery.”
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Ha haha. I think the bag (or whatever it is) prompted our kind of thoughts. I wasn’t able to fit it into the story. I wish I had thought of your line. Good one. 😀
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The modern hunter-gatherer. Shall we take our boat, or ping Uber?
Nicely done, John.
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Ha ha ha. Great comment. Dan. 😄
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The young son was so willing to learn and the father so enjoyed that moment. Ah, the suspense and the laughter! Well done, John. 😀
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Thank you, Gwen. 😊 Always fun to blend serious and not so serious.
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‘Follow that!’ as they say. Just how does one follow that….It has the wonder of the sea AND humour… A jolly good ‘un.
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Thank you, Joy. I’m glad you liked it. 😊
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LOL! Hysterical ending. You out did yourself today, John!
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Thank you, Mae. I love that idea.
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Buahahaha!
Give a boy a fish and he eats for a day. Give a boy a phone and they can use their coupons when they order the fish feast.
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Ha haha. Nice addition.
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Thank you!
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Wonderful description of the picture. Pretty good reflection of modern life too.
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Thank you, Craig.
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Coleslaw with chips? Nice twist, John. That’s something I’m gonna try next time I have chips on my plate.
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Drag the chip through the coleslaw. Tastes good.
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Yes its very important to know how to order takeout:)
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Ha haha.
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🙂
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Lol John, and make sure he doesn’t lose the number 🙂
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For sure, Debby. If he does how will he feed his family?
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Buahahahaha! John! You are a nut! Love coleslaw with my battered fish!
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Me too. Thanks, Dale.
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Ah yes, the mysteries of the sea! 🙂
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Solved with just one call. Thanks, Jan
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The only way to fish, lol
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Ha haha. So true, Jacquie. Thank you. 😄
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Sounds like a lesson my own father would’ve imparted upon me – in a less fatherly way, of course.
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I can just imagine. 😕
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Haha! Well done, John.
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Thank you, Jennie.
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You’re welcome, John.
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😂 A wise man that one.
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Ha Ha ha. Thanks, Deborah.
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Haha, Liked it. It lead me along the path, then the twist at the end made me chuckle. 🙂
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[…] The Lesson by John W. Howell © 2019 […]
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Thank you, Keith.
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