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 your offering (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before Sunday evening UK time. 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.
Lovers by John W. Howell © 2022
“Why are you so slow?”
“I’m not slow. I just don’t have long legs like you.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“I need to take three or four steps just to match your one.”
“You sound like a cry baby.”
“I’m just stating facts, is all. You asked why I was so slow.”
“Yeah, and all I get is excuses. Come on, man up, and let’s get going. There is a whole meadow to explore.”
“Man up, you say? I wish I could do that, and then I would walk your socks off.”
“Well, that’s not going to happen, at least in this life.”
“I have to wonder why you keep me around when doing so is so annoying to you.”
“Oh, here we go with the psych 101.”
“I’m serious. You and I are so different.”
“Sounds like you want to break up.”
“No, not at all. But you always seem so grumpy. I’m just wondering if it is me.”
“No, my precious, it is not you. I have a lot on my mind, is all.”
“Like what?”
“Like the upright farmer wanting to spray for ants.”
“What? I never heard that.”
“I heard him talking to his mate, so it worries me.”
“You worried? How about me? If he sprays, I’m a goner.”
“Don’t say that. We can figure something out.”
“Why I let you talk me into a relationship, I’ll never know. If it weren’t for you, I would be out in that field on a hill of my own. ‘Come live with me,’ you said. ‘It will be fun, you said.'”
“Hasn’t it been fun?”
“You know it has.”
“We can go away. Start a new life.”
“An ant and a dog? How far do you think we would get until someone decides we don’t belong together?”
“There’s no laws against an ant and a dog.”
“Yet.”
“Come on. Hop up here, and let’s make some time.”
“You are the best.”
“For you I am.”
“Silver-tongued devil.”
Fiction Favorites 
What an interesting concept. Not that I see any future in that relationship – I know how Trevor suffered from ants biting the soft flesh between his pads when all he was trying to do was to dig up their nest.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You would think the ants would understand he meant no harm. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Trevor tried to explain but he only speaks English and the ants were French 🤣 🐶🐜🐜🐜
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ah. C’est la guerre.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😁
LikeLike
Interesting
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLike
Sounds like a low budget Disney movie.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Good one, Charles!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I thought so too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks.
LikeLiked by 2 people
😊
LikeLike
You’re welcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha ha. Very low budget. 😁
LikeLike
I see a potential children’s book, John. Pretty photo!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Keith takes some great photos. Thanks, Jill
LikeLike
I see Voodo Ranger whilst we rework some plot holes…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Be careful of the plot holes. Some are very deep.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those may require more VR and even perhaps a recovery period…
LikeLiked by 1 person
In St. Barts
LikeLiked by 1 person
Could be the next Disney series.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You paying attention Disney studios?
LikeLike
haha, as far as I know, it is legal. But now that it’s out there, someone will make a law against it! 😏
LikeLiked by 2 people
I suppose they will. Thanks, GP.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s cute, John. Whatever works between friends.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I say you are right.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Disney would love this story! I can imagine the adventures the two might have and the fun you’d have writing the script. 😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Just Me and My Dog,” an ant’s memoir. 😁 Thanks, Gwen
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL I guess that’s one way to get you to write a memoir. 😄
LikeLike
Well, as long as Mr. Ant doesn’t invite his flea cousins to the wedding.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, That would be a disaster. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi,
I truly like this dialogue. There’s a deep message in it, and I had to laugh at the way you brought this message across. Great job.
Shalom aleichem
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is a deep message, Pat. Thank you. Shalom aleichem
LikeLike
Fun, John 🙂 I can oddly picture this especially if its a carpenter ant.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha ha. He does have a little tool belt on so maybe he is a carpenter any. Thanks, Denise.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLike
It just shows how you can find friendships or relationships if you want to do so. Reminds me of Charlotte’s Web, a spider and a pig.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorta like that, Michele. Thanks.
LikeLike
An ant and a dog? What an odd couple. 🙂
LikeLike
Dear John
Great text, it made us laugh.
Thanks for sharing
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
LikeLike
Interesting take. I like how you’ve opened my mind to a possibility I never thought of!
LikeLike
I love this, John. It kept me guessing who/what was talking. Very clever, as always!
LikeLike
Well done, John! I kind of figured there was a dog since there was a dog in the photo, but an ANT?! Your imagination knows no bounds 🙂 And, yes, this would make a lovely children’s book.
LikeLike
I had a relationship with some ants last year, but it wasn’t as friendly as described above. They decided for some reason to move off our previously-agreed-upon routes around the house and some actually tried to gain entry into our home. After much discussion (and many fatalities on their side), we negotiated a truce. This year, they are staying in their lanes…and so am I. Enjoyed the read, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can hear the ant ghost stories around the fire. I think they are calling your interaction the Night of the Big Bruce. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
John, let’s just say the interaction was memorable for both parties…but I do like a Night named after me. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes for generations too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This would make an excellent children’s book, John- love it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jacquie. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interspecies love… so cute
LikeLiked by 1 person
😁
LikeLike
What are their ‘pronouns’?
LikeLiked by 1 person
The dog is he/him. The ant is They/Them
LikeLiked by 1 person
😂😂😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🤣
LikeLike
Awww. I was assuming you had different species going on here, but couldn’t guess. I hope all works out well for them, John. Fun story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I thnk they will be fine. Thanks, Diana.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are so good at these, John. Love the ant-dog relationship.:-)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Priscilla. 😊
LikeLike
I’m thinking the poor ant does way more than four steps to keep up! ’bout time the dog offered him a lift! You never cease to amaze me with the direction of your stories!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Off in the weeds sometimes. Thanks, Dale.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha! No doubt! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
You went deep with this one Boss. Love sure is a crazy thing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is. And should be open and free.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love is blind.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha ha. Bad boy that Tiny
LikeLiked by 1 person
😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] Lovers by John W. Howell © 2022 […]
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for posting my story, Keith.
LikeLike