Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #213 by Keith Channing

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.

There won’t be a Kreative Kue for a couple of weeks – it seems someone is rather keen (and in a hurry) to buy our home here in France. Next week, we’ll be heading to the north of England in an effort to identify a house to live in after we have to leave this one! The next scheduled Kreative Kue will be on Easter Monday, 22nd April.

The photo.
Kreative Kue #213
Gotta Light? by John W. Howell ©2019
“Hey, Charlie. Whatcha doing?”
“It looks pretty obvious.”
“So tell me.”
“I’m trying to decide on calling the fire department or not.”
“For this little fire?”
“Yes for this little fire. I’m getting concerned.”
“Concerned? About what? It looks like it’s under control. A few branches is all.”
“It may appear to be that to you. There’s a deeper issue.”
“My goodness. Sounds sinister.”
“Don’t laugh. It is sinister.”
“Oh come on. Looks the fire is starting to die down.”
“That’s what I thought about a half hour ago.”
“So this thing has been burning for a half hour?”
“Longer than that.”
“That does seem a little strange. It doesn’t seem like there is enough wood to keep it going for that long.”
“Now you are beginning to get a sense of my worry.”
“Other than that it still seems quite normal.”
“Except for one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“I didn’t start the fire.”
“Come again? What do you mean you didn’t start the fire?”
“I came out here to light this brush—”
“So you did start the fire.”
“Let me finish, will you?”
“Go ahead.”
“I came out here to light this brush, and when I got here, I realized I forgot my matches.”
“Sounds like you. So how did you get the brush lit?”
“That’s just it. While reaching in my pockets for a light and realizing I had forgotten the matches I said, “Hey brush. You gotta light?”
“Don’t tell me.”
“Yup. The brush ignited. Just like that.”
“And has been burning ever since.”
“Now you understand.”
“I think we need to do something.”
“Okay. I’m glad you feel the same as I do.”
“Repeat after me.”
“Huh? I was thinking of calling the fire department.”
“No, forget that. I have a feeling you are gifted, and we should act fast before the gift goes away. Repeat after me. “Hey, brush.”
“I don’t get it but okay, “Hey, Brush.”
“You gotta beer?”
“You gotta beer? You are a jerk. You know that?”
“You want one?”

43 comments

  1. Keith Edgar Channing's avatar

    Here’s the problem: put that fire out, then come back in eight years to find that there’s another flaming bush.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Keith. We never found out if the bush had anything to say.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Charles Yallowitz's avatar

    The giving brush?

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Gwen M. Plano's avatar
    Gwen Plano · ·

    Too funny :D. Have a great day and enjoy a beer, John.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Gwen. Have a good one as well.

      Like

  4. GP's avatar

    My morning laugh, John!
    I just thought it strange he’s standing down-wind of the fire!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Maybe he is looking for an eyebrow trim. 😀

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Jill Weatherholt's avatar

    You better back up Bucko! Hilarious, John!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Jill. 😀

      Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Billy Ray

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Dan Antion's avatar

    Sounds like a good second step. They can worry about putting it out later. Great job, John!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Always time to put it out after a couple of cold ones.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. coldhandboyack's avatar

    Maybe it will give you ten commandments for a top ten list.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Ha ha ha. Good one. 😀

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Mae Clair's avatar

    Haha! I’m thinking the brush could be a genie in disguise. One wish to go! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Ha haha. Thanks, Mae.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Debbie's avatar

    I imagine Moses felt the same way when he encountered a burning bush (minus the beer, of course — I guess they had wine back then!)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I think he had some important things to say to the bush too. Thanks, Debbie.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Author Jan Sikes's avatar

    Yep, I’d say there is a newly discovered gift! Hey, bush, got a million in cash? 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      There you go. I would do it along the lines of “Hey bush I want a check for a million dollars delivered to me for the next 30 years by Fedex and requires my signature.” Hopefully there won’t be a way to have that one backfire.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Almost Iowa's avatar

    Two years ago, we were having work done on the house, so I called Gopher State One Call. It is the state agency that you call to mark electrical, gas and cable lines. Always call before you dig, it is usually free.

    The conversation went something like this:

    Me: Can you mark where my propane line runs between the house and my tank?
    Guy: We are not supposed to mark private utilities, only public.
    Me: Oh…
    Guy: What the heck.
    Me: Thanks.
    Guy: Uhhhhhhhh….
    Me: What?
    Guy: Your propane line leads right under your firepit.
    Me: That don’t sound good.
    Guy: Yeah, and from what I can tell, it’s only about four inches down.

    So John, that is where I thought you were going. 🙂 🙂 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Sorry to disappoint you, Greg. I can see your firepit tower of flame from here.

      Like

  12. Dale's avatar

    Oh man! I might just have to join in on this challenge… I have a story…
    Not quite as interesting as a self-lighting fire… 😉

    Liked by 1 person

  13. D.L. Finn, Author's avatar
    D.L Finn, Author · ·

    A wish granting bush. Might be good to ask for more after the beer:)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      You think? Ha haha. Thanks, Denise.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. D.L. Finn, Author's avatar
        D.L Finn, Author · ·

        🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  14. Sorryless's avatar

    Boss,

    You managed to incorporate a Billy Joel song and a passage in the Book of Exodus . . . AND end it with a old one.

    It’s why you’re the Boss of all Bosses.

    🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Marc. 😇

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sorryless's avatar

        Loved this John.

        Liked by 1 person

  15. Sorryless's avatar

    A ‘cold’ one! Not a old one . . . LOL

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I liked old one as well.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sorryless's avatar

        Both! 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  16. Jennie's avatar

    This was good, John!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Jennie.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Jennie's avatar

        You’re welcome, John.

        Liked by 1 person

  17. The Hook's avatar

    Well, did he?

    Liked by 1 person

  18. Unknown's avatar

    […] Gotta Light? by John W. Howell © 2019 […]

    Like