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.
The Flight by John W. Howell © 2022
“Okay, sir, make yourself comfortable. We’ll be getting started shortly.”
“You the captain?”
“No, sir. I’m the first officer. The captain is getting the weather reports. Oh, wait, here she comes.”
“She? That little girl?”
“Yes, sir. Looks like she has some wildflowers too.”
“Surely you aren’t serious?”
“Yes, sir, those are wildflowers, and my name’s Ralph. Don’t call me Shirly.”
“Bad joke, Ralph. You can’t tell me that girl is flying this airplane.”
“I can put money on it, sir. She and I have logged over 4000 hours together. Best captain I ever had.”
“What makes her so special?”
“She always has peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.”
“Okay, now you are pulling my leg.”
“I think that would be considered assault by the FAA.”
“I mean, you are kidding me.”
“I never kid, sir. I have had a couple of pets but never a child.”
“Good grief. Let me off. I’m not flying with a seven-year-old in command.”
“Actually, she is five, sir.”
“Whatever. Get my bags. I’m out of here.”
“Suit yourself, sir. I’ll have someone get your bags.”
“Can’t you do it?”
“Not my paygrade.”
“The baggage guys make more than the pilots?”
“The miracle of supply chain economics. Stand outside, sir. They’ll be with you in a minute.”
“I’m never flying this airline again.”
“Good luck.”
“Why?”
“For disrupting this flight, you will be put on a no-fly list. I think you’ll be here a while.”
“What if I stay on the airplane?”
“Welcome back, sir. We will be leaving shortly.”
“Hi, little girl.”
“Captain dimples to you, sir. Buckle up, please. Here are some flowers for you.”
Fiction Favorites 
Good one, John. This was the landing strip at Langkawi, Malaysia, in 1980. https://skytraxratings.com/airports/langkawi-international-airport-rating will give an idea of what it looks like now!
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Quite a change for sure.
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It pales into insignificance when compared with the change to Dubai between when i left there in ’82 and the present!
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Yes, I’m sure.
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😂🤣😂
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Thanks, Chris. 😁
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I think I’d be strapping on a parachute. Good one, John!
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I think I would do the same. Thanks, Jill.
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Eh, you only live once. Give it a shot.
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I wonder who operates the pedals? Oh well. You are right give it a shot.
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Stilts or blocks. Though I think I trust the kid more than the pun guy. He seems suspicious.
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Ha ha ha. 😁
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haha, good one. I never thought about her being the pilot!
I thought she was going to ask dad if he should take that blue gas can because mom never filled the tank up like he asked.
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Now that is a good one, GP. 😁
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In-flight meal of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and cocoa. Buckle up!
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Sounds good to me. Can I get that sandwich on Wonder Bread please?
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Excellent, John. Captain Dimples might even give you a juice box later during the flight.
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I’m counting on it. Thanks, Dan
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I thought she was the Greeter! I’d be second guessing that flight.
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Me too. Thanks, Deborah
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How did I know that “Don’t call me Shirley” was coming? I loved it!
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I guess you are quite used to some of my craziness, Liz. 😊
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Indeed I am–in the best possible way!
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😊
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John, I saw that picture and just knew that I’d be in for a whacky adventure. I can picture all the characters in this wild tale, even the highly paid baggage person.
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They are all there. The baggage person is standing next to his Bentley.
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I hope he at least gets a peanut butter and jelly sandwich out of it.
And nice tip of the hat to Airplane with the Shirley line! 😂
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Thank you, Mae. Every time I write about planes that line from Airplane goes through my head. This time I wrote it down.
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😁
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😊
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Uh-oh, somebody’s in trouble for sure. That five-year-old has logged more than 4,000 hours of flight time?!? Amazing. She probably flew before she walked. Well, at least she has PB&J sandwiches, right?
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Right. I think the second officer is confused which adds another scary feature to the trip.
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Captain Dimples is adorable, John! Bet she does loopty loops in the air. I’ll take two of those wildflowers, please.
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Her favorite ride is the loopty loop. Thanks, Linda.💐
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That was a hoot and a half, John! Only you could come up with this!! So much fun.
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Thank you, Dale. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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I did. You are such a fun guy 🙂
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Oh thank you, Dale.
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🙂
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If anyone was here with me right now, they’d swear I’d gone off my rocker. I laughed out loud so hard at this. Captain Dimples, indeed! Great one, John!
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I’m glad you liked it, Jan.
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I pity the fool who argues with Captain Dimples…
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Yes. A kick to the knee cap could happen.
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Love the nod to Airplane and Leslie Nielson. Funny take on the photo. Captain Dimples… 🤣
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Thank you, Staci.
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That was always a favorite line of mibe, and don’t callme Shirley 🙂 I think I would rather be on the no fly list than take that flight lol.
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I think you have great wisdom, Denise.
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You outdid yourself today, John. 😂 This must be Fantasy Island or maybe one of your wild dreams. Of course, there has to be a follow-up – just so your readers aren’t left wondering what happened next. Bravo!!
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Thanks, Gwen. I’m glad you liked it.😁
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You do have quite the imagination, John! Flying is stressful enough … lol 😉
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That’s why we have to make fun of it. Thanks, Marie.
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I’ve flown this airline before, the brown bag lunches are so kitschy.
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Ha ha ha 😁
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Bon Apetit!
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Merci.
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Bow Coup!
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Bowl of soup.
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Haha!
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😊
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Lol, I knew there was a reason I’ve never flown!
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Ha ha ha. Yes indeed.
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At least she’s probably not drunk, like the pilot who recently made the news. 🙂
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Good point, Mark. 😁
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What an overachiever, and twin engine rated, too.
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Yes. Don’t forget her commerical ticket as well.
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Haha!!
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[…] The Flight by John W. Howell © 2022 […]
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