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 Β© 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.”
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.
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You would think the ants would understand he meant no harm. π
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Trevor tried to explain but he only speaks English and the ants were French π€£ πΆπππ
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Ah. C’est la guerre.
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π
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Interesting
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π
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Sounds like a low budget Disney movie.
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Good one, Charles!
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I thought so too.
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Thanks.
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π
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You’re welcome.
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Ha ha ha. Very low budget. π
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I see a potential children’s book, John. Pretty photo!
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Keith takes some great photos. Thanks, Jill
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I see Voodo Ranger whilst we rework some plot holes…
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Be careful of the plot holes. Some are very deep.
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Those may require more VR and even perhaps a recovery period…
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In St. Barts
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Could be the next Disney series.
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You paying attention Disney studios?
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haha, as far as I know, it is legal. But now that it’s out there, someone will make a law against it! π
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I suppose they will. Thanks, GP.
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That’s cute, John. Whatever works between friends.
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I say you are right.
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Disney would love this story! I can imagine the adventures the two might have and the fun you’d have writing the script. π
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“Just Me and My Dog,” an ant’s memoir. π Thanks, Gwen
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LOL I guess that’s one way to get you to write a memoir. π
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Well, as long as Mr. Ant doesn’t invite his flea cousins to the wedding.
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Yes, That would be a disaster. π
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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
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There is a deep message, Pat. Thank you. Shalom aleichem
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Fun, John π I can oddly picture this especially if its a carpenter ant.
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Ha ha ha. He does have a little tool belt on so maybe he is a carpenter any. Thanks, Denise.
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π
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π
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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.
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Sorta like that, Michele. Thanks.
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An ant and a dog? What an odd couple. π
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Dear John
Great text, it made us laugh.
Thanks for sharing
The Fab Four of Cley
π π π π
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Interesting take. I like how you’ve opened my mind to a possibility I never thought of!
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I love this, John. It kept me guessing who/what was talking. Very clever, as always!
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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 π And, yes, this would make a lovely children’s book.
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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.
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I can hear the ant ghost stories around the fire. I think they are calling your interaction the Night of the Big Bruce. π
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John, let’s just say the interaction was memorable for both parties…but I do like a Night named after me. π
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Yes for generations too.
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This would make an excellent children’s book, John- love it!
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Thank you, Jacquie. π
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Interspecies love… so cute
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π
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What are their βpronounsβ?
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The dog is he/him. The ant is They/Them
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π€£
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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.
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I thnk they will be fine. Thanks, Diana.
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You are so good at these, John. Love the ant-dog relationship.:-)
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Thank you, Priscilla. π
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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!
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Off in the weeds sometimes. Thanks, Dale.
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Hahaha! No doubt! π
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π
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You went deep with this one Boss. Love sure is a crazy thing.
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It is. And should be open and free.
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I agree.
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Love is blind.
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Ha ha ha. Bad boy that Tiny
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π
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[…] Lovers by John W. Howell Β© 2022 […]
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Thanks for posting my story, Keith.
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