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 (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 time.”
The photo.
Camp by John W. Howell © 2022
“Okay, now let go.”
“I’m not sure I should.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t think he’s got the hang of it yet.”
“You know, at camp, everyone has to be on their own.”
“I know, but maybe we can do this later.”
“For heaven’s sake. You have been saying that for a week.”
“But look at him. He looks so frightened.”
“He’s not frightened. He just has gas.”
“Well, whatever. It’s not my idea to send him to camp.”
“I know it’s mine. The kid has to learn to get along in the world. The first thing is to let him swim on his own.”
“He’s never done that before.”
“I know. How do you think I feel when the whole pod is laughing behind our backs.”
“Why would they do that?”
“We are the only dolphins on the planet whose kid can’t swim.”
“That can’t be true.”
“Well, it is. Kids are supposed to be natural swimmers when they are born.”
“Ours is special.”
“That is one way to describe him. Please let him go.”
“Okay, but you better save him if he gets into trouble.”
“I’m always here.”
“There he is on his own.”
“And look at the wake he is turning up. Go boy go.”
“I’m really surprised.”
“I told you it was instinct.”
“But my child is just not any run-of-the-mill dolphin.”
“Yeah, I know. He’s now a dolphin who can swim and ready for camp.”
“Can I go too?”
“Against the rules. You and I will go to our own camp.”
“You devil.”
“I resemble that remark.”
Fiction Favorites 
You did that on porpoise, John 😂🤣😂
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Good one, Chris! 😀
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😂
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😁
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Yes, indeed.
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Groan. 🤣 🤣 🤣
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Sorry, John, I couldn’t resist it 😂🤣😂
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Don’t blame you at all. Was a good one. 😊
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Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thank you for sharing, Michael.
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:-)) xx
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A wonderful answer to the prompt. Thank you for sharing, John! But dont forget, maybe these are goldfishes with an attached fin. Lol xx Michael
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Thank you, Michael.
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:-))
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😊
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It amazes me the creative ideas you come up with from these photo prompts, John. That was wonderful, and fun, too!
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Thank you, Mae. I’m glad you like it. 😁
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Great job today, John!
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Thank you, Jill.
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Loved it! My favorite line: “He’s not frightened. He just has gas.”
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I was always impressed by our kid’s facial expressions. Usually explained by a gas cramp. 😁
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As a young mother, I was always annoyed by the “it’s just gas” pronouncement.
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Hahaha. “Look he’s smiling at me.” I can see that.
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😦
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I guess all breeds have helicopter parents. If dolphins know what helicopters are…
Fun story, John.
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Maybe they call them floating parents. The concept is the same though. Thanks, Staci.
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Really thought the kid wouldn’t be a dolphin after the line about being special.
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Nope stil a dolphin.
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Sounds like a lot of modern parents.
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For sure. Thanks, Craig.
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He’ll go off to camp, have a fabulous time, make lots of friends and no longer be reliant on his aging parents. What’s the cetacean equivalent of empty-nester?
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Empty reefer maybe
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🙂
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Great idea to put it in their voice, John. And – camp? lol
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Thanks, GP.
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Good one, John. 🙂
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Thank you, Mark.
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HaHa, thanks for my morning chuckle — I know I can always count on you to entertain me, John. Well done!
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Thank you, Debbie. I’m glad you liked it. 😊
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Morning smiles — the best. Thank you, John. Wouldn’t you love to swim with dolphins? I’ve always wanted to and never had the chance. Someday…
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Maybe you can one day. Thanks, Gwen. 😊
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A dolphin who can’t swim. Good one! A different twist on Nemo. Thanks for the morning chuckle!!
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Thank you, Jan 😁
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Always guaranteed a smile when I read one of these. Your mind is a curious thing – I can only imagine how much is going on in there!
So hard to be a parent and to let go… but let go we must! And they get their own camp? Oh you risqué fella you!
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Thanks for the risqué compliment. Made me laugh. I’m glad you like the story and yes it is hard to let go and must be done. Thanks, Dale.
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Glad it did 😉
Have a wonderful day, John.
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You too.
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Counting down till I can get the hell outta Dodge!
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Don’t bust down the door on the way out.
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Tee hee…
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🤭
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Very well done, John. It’s so hard to let the little ones go.
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It is, Dan.
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Lol…good one John 🙂 Had me smiling.
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I’m glad, Denise.
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Never thought of animals hovering over their kids, though I did have a doe come between me and her fawn and stamp and snort at me. 🙂
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I have had that a number of times. Those does don’t like folks messing with the kids.
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It is a wide ocean out there. And surprise surprise there is room for two camps. What will we do ? Good one John
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I guess send the kids to one and go to the other.
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Perfecto!
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Thank you, Marie.
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I guess Dolphins have a different way of raising their kids. And the “sink or swim” is taken quite literally.
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The mother tried to baby the baby but it didn’t work. 😁
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LOL
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I know right?
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Good one! I’m betting you’re the only one going with dolphin peer pressure.😂
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Hahaha. Thanks, Pete.
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You’re so creative with these prompts, John. Well done!
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Thank you so much, Mar. 😁
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Tee-hee! I love this, John. My first thought at the photo was it looked like a little one being made to hang on. I love how you ended it with the parental playfulness. Hugs on the wing.
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Thank you, Teagan. I have to believe all mothers are the same.
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So good! Reminded me of the second day of kindergarten for my son. We received news the first day he didn’t know how to skip. *deficiency* That afternoon we practiced a ton, and it was the most manly skip I’d ever seen. Second day of kindergarten he is practicing along the fence during recess alone. (Yes, I watched from my best friend’s deck. Lol ) Fast forward 15 years the kid plays college football and still manly, and not so deficient in athleticism. Good memory.
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I wonder now if I could skip. Glad the memory was good.
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Giver a try 🤓
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Too late. Have a tough time walking let alone skipping.
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#same
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😊
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[…] Camp by John W. Howell © 2022 […]
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