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.
Home. By John W. Howell © 2021
“We finally made it.”
“What did we make.”
“I mean, we have finally arrived at our new hometown.”
“Looks kinda creepy.”
“Nonsense. The view from this hill is the best. It looks like the castle is all lit up, just waiting for us. All we have to do is go down the hillside, cross that main street, and go up to the castle.”
“I think easier said than done.”
“Oh, come on. We’ve come all this way. We are almost there.”
“Do you realize how far away the castle is from here?”
“Can’t be more than a couple of miles.”
“Listen to yourself. A couple of miles? That is like halfway around the world.”
“We’ve gone farther.”
“Yeah, but we had something to ride. We are on foot now. Tell me again why we had to leave the other place.”
“You know as well as I do that it became unsafe.”
“Oh, come on. You read those organic articles and think there a deadly threat on everything.”
“Did you try to walk across the kitchen floor?”
“Well, no. You scared me with your belief.”
“Belief? Didn’t you see the white line on the floor?”
“I saw what you told me to see. I can’t be certain now.”
“Let me tell you. That place was infested with poison.”
“Where’s the proof?”
“Didn’t you see the human in green toting that spray canister?”
“The one with O-R-K-I-N on his shirt?”
“He did look pretty out of place. Who names their kid Orkin?”
“That is a company name which means death to us.”
“One thing, I can’t figure out.”
“What?”
“Why do humans go nuts when they hear our species name?”
“Our name must mean something frightening in their language.”
“Roach is the nicest name possible.”
“To you and I.”
“This castle?”
“Yeah?”
“How safe is it.”
“They never heard of Raid.”
Two miles is a long way when you’re only two inches long.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Several days worth I would say.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They can fly quite well, but only for short distances – and that valley could be an issue.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good thing this is fiction.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was thinking termites.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They would have been good too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
A good one!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Darlene.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice job, John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jill.
LikeLike
Good job, John. You almost have me feeling sorry for those guys.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This message was brought to you by the political action group Remember the Roach. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
They’ll be here long after we’re gone, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true, Dan
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, there goes the neighborhood! Great job, John!
All I got was those pretentious castle owners don’t know how to conserve energy!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I thought of something along those lines but couldn’t pull it off. Thanks, GP.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wouldn’t want those guys as house guests, but that was a fun story. Loved the closing line. Great job, John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Mae. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m one who doesn’t like creepy crawlies, but you’ve championed the under-appreciated and brought a bit of sympathy — and plenty of smiles. Good job, John. Loved it. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Gwen. 😁
LikeLike
If only all roaches had this level of sense. Be so much easier to get rid of them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You could give them free passes to Disneyworld.
LikeLike
A tale of persecution and migration. Love it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A metaphor. Glad you caught it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Who names their kid Orkin?” Great job, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Staci. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Poor misunderstood roaches. They’ve stood the test of time for a reason.
Course, this is a helluva trek for ’em!
Only you would go with a bug’s view of things!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Dale. Someone has to represent the under appreciated. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
You have a point. You are a good man 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha. It started dawning on me with ORKIN. Great story, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Diana.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Poor guys, so misunderstood, lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know right?
LikeLiked by 1 person
For potheads, roach is a very welcomed part of the vocabulary. So if this castle doesn’t work out, I say they head for Cali . . .
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes indeed. They will be the only ones moving in.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No doubt
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Californians are moving here in droves.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ironic, isn’t it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
We are doing our best to maintain our individual rights in face of the Union of Socialist Republic of California invasion. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is true, LOL
LikeLiked by 1 person
😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on NEW OPENED BLOG > https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
LikeLike
Beautiful written, John! Thank you for the pleasure, and enjoy your Wednesday! xx Michael
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a nice thing to say, Michael. Thank you. Have a beautiful day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
;-)) Thank you as well, John! Enjoy you day too. xx Michael
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLike
[…] Read more … […]
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Michael.
LikeLike
🙂 Loved this one! Beware the ORKIN man all ye creepy crawlies.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The ORKIN man comith. Are you prepared? 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Noooo!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL!! They’d be totally caught unawares here as the pair who come do my house look normal! No uniforms, but the truck has its name on it. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
What is the name Bug Snuff?
LikeLiked by 1 person
That would be cute! No, they’re Wild West Pest Management. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like a great name. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀 I think so too. Perfect for this western state.
LikeLiked by 1 person
HaHa, good one, John! I was thinking ‘mice,’ but ‘roach’ is pretty scary, too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes I never met a roach I liked. They seem to be in a hurry all the time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol! Yep, that white line across the kitchen floor is a sure sign it’s no longer safe! Good one, John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes it is. Thanks, Jan
LikeLike
Hahaha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] Home by John W. Howell © 2021 […]
LikeLike