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.
Duck and Cover by John W. Howell © 2020
“Now, I have to ask.”
“Go ahead.”
“Why the jacket over your head? You been arrested?”
“No. Nothing like that. It’s this new camera.”
“What about it?”
“I can’t see the subject because the light is too bright.”
“You seem to be the only one with that problem.”
“So is everybody looking at me?”
“No narcissistic one. Everyone couldn’t care less about you.”
“That is good news.”
“Why are you so concerned?”
“Well, there is another reason I have this jacket over my head.”
“I certainly hope so. For the amount of money you paid for the camera, it should do everything, bright light or no.”
“Yeah, it’s not the camera. It’s me.”
“So, are you going to tell me?”
“I’ll show you. Make sure no one is looking.”
“Okay, the coast is clear no one is looking. OMG, what happened to your nose?”
“It grew.”
“I can see that. How did that happen?”
“I’m not sure. I was telling that young lady over there about picture taking, and it started to grow.”
“Wait a minute. Slow down. What were you telling that young lady?”
Uh…about my lens.”
“What about your lens?”
“That it takes great portraits.”
“Uh-huh.”
“And that being a professional photographer …”
“Hold it. Is that when your nose started to grow?”
“Not that I noticed.”
“I think I have the cause of the problem.”
“What is it?”
“It’s called the Pinocchio Effect.”
“What’s that?”
“Just one more question.”
“Go ahead.”
“Did you ask her to model for you?”
“Well, I er…”
“The nose knows.”
“What should I do now?”
“Go tell her you are not a professional.”
“Pretty embarrassing.”
“You’d rather have that nose?”
“Good point.”
Fiction Favorites 
Lends a whole new shade of meaning to the term ‘lie of the land’.
Good one, John.
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Thank you, Keith. 😊
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A nice take on one of my favourite fairy tales 😁
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Thank you, Jessica. 😊
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When I saw the photo, I knew you wouldn’t disappoint, John. Nicely done! 🙂
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Thank you, Jill. 😊
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Good job, John. I hope he can get back in shape with the truth. Otherwise, he can move to the shore. The birds will love him.
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Hahahaha. Thanks, Dan. 😁
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This took an unexpected turn with the Pinnochio Effect. I love it! I particularly like this bit of the exchange:
“So is everybody looking at me?”
“No narcissistic one. Everyone couldn’t care less about you.”
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hahaha. Loved it!
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Thank you, Pamela.
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It’s a wonder watching how your mind works every week with these post, John. Bravo!
I was only going to put: “If I put my jacket over my head, no one will know I’m actually watching the girls sunbathe!”
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That thought obviouly came to me as well, GP. Good one. 😂
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If only this happened to people in real life. Make things so much easier.
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Wouldn’t though? Thanks, Charles.
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They are working on a special camera with an offset view finder for the Pinocchio effect. Seems the photographer could not get close enough to use the view finder. Of course they have to keep extending the lens due to probiscal intrusions. And that messes with the focal length. Besides the built in light meter is a fact checker and an extra loud BS alarm.
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Hahahaha. I think you have the essence of genius here, John. Good one. 😁
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If only lies had a visible impact on people, what a different world it would be! Very clever, as always. 😀
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Yes it would. All those who want to believe all the lies would be so disappointed to see those noses sprout. Thanks, Gwen.
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Charles makes a great point – what if it happened to folks in real life? I suspect we’d have a lot of Pinocchios running around.
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I think so too. Washington would be almost exclusively that way.
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Cute! I like that he was busted in his lie, LOL.
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Yes. The nose knows.
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On the bright side, he’ll always have a place to hang his doughnut.
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Hahaha. Good one.
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Wouldn’t it be wonderful if noses really did grow when people told a lie?? Sure would separate the politicians at election time, wouldn’t it?! Great tale, John — stay safe out there!
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Thank you, Debbie. Looks like we miss all the weather. Darn it.
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You don’t mean that!! Really, look at all the heavy lifting you don’t have to do … as well as exposing the girls to all that awful barometric pressure!
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We just need the rain. You are right, of course we don’t want to be in the actual storm. Thanks, Debbie.
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I like what Gwen said and great job, John, and very clever.
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Thank you, Lauren
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Pinocchio effect made me giggle. Good one, John.
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I’m glad you liked it Denise.
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Another ‘jewel’!
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Thank you, Billy Ray
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After a very stressful day, I really needed this chuckle, John! Thank you! 🙂
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I’m glad I could give it to you. Thanks for letting me know.
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Hahaha! It never pays to stretch the truth. Well, not right away, anyway.
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So true. Gotta watch those noses.
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Uh huh!
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LOL!!! That’s a pretty compelling reason for the jacket!
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Thanks, Luanne
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Wacky as per usual John.
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Thank you, Geoff
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Hahahahahaha. I love it, John. I can always count on you for a laugh. THANKS! 🙂
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Always glad to serve.
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Great job, John. 🙂
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Than you, Rob
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Well done, John. This was fun to read!
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I’m glad you liked it, Jennie.
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🙂
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One wouldn’t need a spotting scope to see the lie if our noses would grow! A fun take on this image, John! I wonder what the bird was that drew the crowd?
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[…] Duck and Cover by John W. Howell © 2020 […]
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Thank you, Keith.
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I hate it when the nose grows like that. 🙂
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Me too. 😂
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