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 on Sunday 5th December (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 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 time.”
The photo
The Identity by John W. Howell © 2021
“Hello.”
“I need to speak softly since I don’t want to disturb it, and it looks dangerous.”
“Understood. I can hear you fine. What do you see?”
“Hard to explain. I would like to get closer but may spook it.”
“Well, do the best you can from there. Don’t take any risks.”
“Okay, so the first thing I see is hair.”
“Hair?”
“Yeah, KInda creepy. Looks like it might be all over its body.”
“That gives me the willies. Why don’t you just get out of there?”
“I’m afraid to move. Although it looks asleep, it might be faking.”
“Why do you think it’s asleep.”
“There’s no movement.”
“Dead?”
“No, I can see breathing but other than that, nothing.”
“You think it’s poisonous?”
“Really hard to tell. The face doesn’t show signs of any fangs.”
“That isn’t always a sign.”
“Yeah, but it lacks the kind of mouth that would typically be associated with a poisonous creature.”
“Describe it”
“From here I can only say it has teeth and makes noise when it sleeps.”
“Sounds like your average house human to me.”
“They aren’t dangerous?”
“Tell me it’s laying down.”
“Yeah.”
“It is a hibernation ritual called a nap. When they get up they could be dangerous especially if there is a newspaper near.”
“I don’t see one.”
“Still I would get out of there. You have waterspout work to do.”
“Yes sir. Getting right on it.”
Fiction Favorites 
Reblogged this on OPENED HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thank you, Michael. 😁
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Wonderful written, but how do you say in English: Its not my cup of tea. I prefer the petite ones, we are having here. Its always a pleasure to see them moving away, when the winter arrives. 😉 xx Michael
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I was taught that all spiders are beneficial. Even the big ones.
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What a text full of phantasy.
Thanks for sharing
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
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Yes indeed. Thanks, Klausbernd. 😊
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I love the arachnid’s POV, John. Humans are, indeed, more of a threat to most spiders than the other way around. This fallow – a Giant House Spider (Eratigena atrica) was in the bathroom looking for, but not finding, a mate. Although one of the fastest spiders in UK (it was once enlisted in the Guinness Book of World Records for its speed), flat out at 1.18 mph (or just over half a metre per second) it couldn’t outrun a scared human. It also has awful eyesight. Apparently it can only differentiate between light and dark.
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I hope it got an escort to the outside. Thanks for the information, Keith.
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I don’t think he was looking for an escort. I think he wanted a proper relationship. I did pop him outside, though, as he would likely have died of starvation in my bathroom.
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Hahaha.
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Ugh! I think he was in our garage last weekend.
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Hahaha. They will be looking for some warm places this winter. 😁
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I love the POV twist, a good lesson in not making assumptions!
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Thank you, Liz.
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You’re welcome, John.
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*scrolls down and sees large spider picture* Nope.
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Hahaha.
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What a clever twist! I couldn’t bear to look a the picture (had to scroll quickly past it), but the brief glimpse I had stuck with me. I loved your take on it!
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Thank you, Staci. 😁
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I’m glad you thought of a story – all I could think of was – YUCK!!!!!
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That does describe the initial reaction I had as well. Thanks, GP. 😬
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ROFL LOLOL Great POV, John 👍😂
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Thank you, Chris. Glad you liked it. 😁
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“Waterspout work to do.” Nice one, John, and the hibernation ritual called a nap, combined with the newspaper referenced as a weapon really works.
Well done. 🙂
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Thank you, Tim. 😁
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That’s great, John. I knew you weren’t going in an obvious path but you got me with this. I love “waterspout work.”
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Thank you, Dan 😁
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I love it. They seem to be moving inside with the weather change. Some of ours are dangerous, so it pays to know which is which. “Honey, call our insurance man. I think our house just burned down.”
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Hahaha. Thanks, Craig.
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Has teeth and makes noise when they sleep…. Ha! Ha!! Another good one, John!
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I’ve seen a number of these little creatures recently. Maybe the change in seasons? Great POV development, John, and I loved the sleeping human description. 😀
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Thank you, Gwen. 😁
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Yes, humans can be very dangerous when awake to the little guy 🙂 The waterspount brought a smile.
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Thanks, Denise
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So the large arachnid is talking to the itsy bitsy arachnid. And it is sending the little one out side where it is safe from the house humans. go play in the rain… just dry those feet before you come back in !
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Yes and don’t walk in peoples mouths when the are asleep
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Excellent redirect! Love it!
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Thank you, Dale.
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My pleasure 🙂
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😁
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It’s a little creepy, for sure, but very timely for the Halloween season. I hope somebody can help it find its way to the outdoors, where I’m sure it will be more appreciated. Excellent take, John!
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Keith reported he helped it outside. Thanks, Debbie
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Thanks, Keith!
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I guess humans do have a lot in common with spiders. Eek.
A fun story, John.
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Well…maybe. Thanks, Diana.
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Really enjoyed reading your short story! Love the perspective of the spider! Thank you
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Thank you for reading and letting me know you liked it.
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Haha! I’m having flashbacks to being under a deck and painting the bottom of the house with some big-ass creepy spiders—bigger than any I ever saw before.
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Yes PDSD. Post Painting Sress Disorder.
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Nicely subverted John. I have waterspout work too. Byeee
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😁
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You had me there, John. Love the twist at the end.
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I’m glad. Thanks for telling me. 😁
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😀
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Love it! The power of point of view! Thanks for the chuckles, John!
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I appreciate your comment, Olga. Thank you.
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Yikes! Just seeing a photo of it made me inclined to leave skid marks. And yes, I’m a spider chicken. 🕷
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I agree on the photo. I took one look and decided to keep it above the fold so to speak. Thanks, Monika.
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Smart strategy, John!
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Hahaha.
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Good one, John, and since I have arachnophobia, I scrolled quickly through that image. I can’t even look at photos! Goosebumps! But I survived and enjoyed the twist at the end. 🤣
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I’m glad you survived, Lauren.
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😁
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Heh-heh, that was fun!
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I’m glad you enjoyed it Priscilla. Thanks for letting me know. 😁
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This was great:)
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Thank you, Sandra. 😁
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[…] The Identity by John W. Howell © 2021 […]
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