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 Walk by John W. Howell © 2021
“Why did you let them go through?”
“They didn’t look like someone I wanted to know.”
“That has nothing to do with it. We are running a business.”
“Yes, but the business has to have a heart.”
“You let too many go through, and we’ll be out of business, let me tell you.”
“Ah, it was only two. More will come along.”
“What made you decide to et them through?”
“Like I said, they didn’t look like people I wanted to know.”
“What’s to know? You just collect the money, and then they are on their way.”
“I like to have a little discussion with ’em.”
“Discussion? I can’t imagine what you have to discuss.”
“Okay, you pretend to be one of them, and I’ll show you.”
“Fine. Seems stupid, but I’ll do it.”
“Okay, ready. You are at the entrance to the walkway.”
“Got it.”
“And I’m in my regular spot.”
“Yes, yes. Come on, show me.”
“My first line is friendly. Ahem. Here it is.”
“For heaven’s sake, get on with it.”
“WHO DARES APPROACH THE WALK OF THE TROLLS.”
“Sounds okay so far.”
“Thanks. Next, I do a variation on the Fe Fi Fo Fum bit.”
Let’s hear it.”
“Okay. ‘FE, FI, FO, FUM. WHERE ON EARTH ARE YOU GIRLS FROM.'”
“Now, wait a minute. You are supposed to say something like ‘I smell the blood of an Englishman'”
“But these are girls, and they are Americans. See what I mean? It becomes difficult.”
“Just tell them they need to give the troll a toll.”
“Some giggle.”
“What?”
“Yeah, right to my face.”
“Do you have your scowling face on?”
“Yup, and they laugh.”
“Maybe we need a new approach.”
“Like what.”
“Um, let me think. Okay, I got it.”
“This should be great.”
“FE FI FO FUM. PAY THE TOLL, OR I’LL TELL YOUR MUM.”
“I’m sure they’ll be shivering by then.”
“You have something better?
“Well. How about FE, FI, FO, FUM. PAY THE TOLL, OR I’LL SPANK YOUR BUM.”
“For heaven’s sake. We are trolls, not perverts. Kill that one.”
“How about just simply putting up a sign that. says Troll toll. Pay what you want.”
“What about those who refuse to pay?”
“Yeah, good catch. How’s this, Troll toll. Pay what you want or be eaten.”
“Nice ring to it.”
“So, in reality, the ones you let through didn’t look good enough to eat?”
“Bingo. They looked all tough and stringy.”
“Oh, I hate that.”
“Me too.”
Fiction Favorites 
Thanks, John. Nice to see that not all the trolls are on Twitter! ;D
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There are still a few guarding bridges etc. 😁
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I think I prefer automatic tolls and number plate recognition!
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Yes no need to even slow down let alone be eaten.
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Far safer.
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Yes, Indeed.
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Good one, John!😉
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Thanks, Jill. 😊
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Tough and stringy is bad. And where would a troll get dental floss? It’s best to let those ones through, I think.
Great job, John.
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Thank you, Staci. I agree. Great thought on the floss. 😁
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A tour de force of inspired sillines!!
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I like that. Inspired sillines. Thanks, Liz. 😊
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YOu’re welcome, John. 😀
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😊
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Good job John. No one wants to wait while the stringy ones sit in marinade. Although, I hear if you soak them in bourbon…
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A good bourbon soak can do wonders. Thanks for the laugh, Dan. 😁
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John, that one deserves a standing ovation. Wow! Talk about an imaginative and humorous take on the photo prompt. I LOVED IT!!!
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Thank you so much, Mae. You just made my day. 😁
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🙂
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Way to go!!
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😊
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I’m with Mae on this post — it deserves an ovation. Great story, John. Picky trolls — who but you could have contrived that story? 🤣
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Such nice words, Gwen. Thank you.
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Guess I best go on a diet so I can be considered too stringy and tough to eat!
This was hilariously perfect!
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Hahaha. Thank you, Dale.
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😉
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No sense filling up on the stringy ones. I’m sure something better will come along.
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Always. Thanks, Craig.
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I’d rather pay tolls to a troll than the peeps in my state who are upping the ante every other week it seems.
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I’m with you, Pilgrim. Pass the hands please.
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We’re the most expensive in the country. And the roads suck.
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At least you got something to complain about out of it. 😊
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That’s true.
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😊
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Reblogged this on NEW OPENED BLOG > https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thank you, Michael. Unfortunately I couldn’t open your blog.
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Really, John! Try to open https://books.eslarn-net.de. The WP.com subsidiary is privatizised since 2018, because in Germany we have a unadapted GDPR, and no allowance using Jetpack (R). ;-/ xx Michael
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I did manage to get on the blog and saw my post but couldn’t comment. So I’ll say thank you here.
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Nice written, John! Thank you for sharing, and have a nice rest of the day! xx Michael
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Thank you, Michael. Have a great day as well.
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Thank you, John! xx
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😊
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“Tough and stringy”?!? Hmm, seems these two are awfully choosy with their meals. Of course, given a choice, I wouldn’t want tough and stringy either. Good one, John!
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Thank you, Debbie. I think you might want to be tough and stringy.
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Hilarious, John! Tough and stringy does not sound like a good meal. I cracked up at the “spank the bum” comment. Oh, the mind of John Howell. If you ever put out a book of short stories, that would need to be somewhere in the title. “From the Cavernous mind of John Howell!” 🙂
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I kind of like that. Sounds big and empty. 🤣
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I loved this one, John 🙂 I hope they figure out how to collect their tolls!
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I think they will Denise. Thank you.
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Ha ha ha. It’s not easy being a troll. Loved this, John. 🙂
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No it is not.
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Thanks, Mae. I think a standalone was just right for me this time, for my energy and what I wanted to work on as a writer. I’m so honored that you enjoyed it, and thank you for all the wonderful comments here. ❤
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Well, I was wondering where my comment to Mae disappeared to. Lol. You can delete the above nonsensical comment if you wish. 😀
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😁
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Sigh.
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Hahaha.
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For whom the troll tolls … it is a tough and stringy job but someone has to do it…
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Yes they do. Poor trolls anyway.
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I hate tough and stringy, too, John. 🙂 Good one! I needed the smiles today.
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Glad I could give you one.
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“Fe, Fi, Fo, Fum.
Where on Earth are you girls from?”
“Mind your business, you big old brute
Or I’ll turn you into a shriveled old mute.”
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Hahahaha. Good one, Pete. 😁
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Hahaha! Thank you! 😀 😀
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😊
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Haha! Gotta watch out for trolls.
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So true.
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😀
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[…] The Walk by John W. Howell © 2021 […]
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