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.
Try Again by John W. Howell © 2022
“Whoa. That was hard.”
“Tell me why you’re doing this again?”
“Doing what?”
“Going underwater and holding your breath.”
“I thought you understood.”
“I guess the logic of the whole thing kinda slipped away seeing you sputter and cough.”
“You know Two Legs has this passion for hunting.”
“Yeah. Seems dumb, but yeah, I know.”
“Well, he has decided to go after waterfowl.”
“I did not know that. So you are in training to be a retriever?”
“No, not exactly.”
“So what then?”
“You and I are both on the side of protecting the species, right?”
“Of course. Leave that work up to Two Legs, and we all are lost.”
“Exactly. So I’m actually in training to be a bird warden.”
“Bird warden. What the heck is that?”
“When old Two Legs goes hunting, I’m going to be the underwater warning system for the birds.”
“Huh?”
“I’m going to swim to where they are and let them know Two Legs has a gun.”
“So you will be out of sight the whole time?”
“Now you got it.”
“How long do you think you will need to stay underwater?”
“Well, the distance to the birds will mean I’ve got to stay under for four or more minutes.”
“Where are you now?”
“You saw me.”
“Ten seconds? You are at ten seconds?”
“We have to start someplace.”
“There will not be a bird left by the time you get to four minutes.”
“Maybe you are right. Change of plan then.”
“What?”
“I’ll bite him.”
“I’ll bet between he and his gun that will work once.”
“Yeah, let me think a little.”
“I would say you are thinking as little as possible right now.”
“Spoiled sport.”
“Nitwit.”
Fiction Favorites 
Good one, John! I love the photo!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks , Jill. 😊
LikeLike
One bite in the right place should at least slow old two-legs down a bit! Nice one, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha ha. Of course would old two legs even notice?
LikeLike
Tune in for the next episode where a well time dry off the fur shake undoes two legs’ shot. When you are thinking on your feet four paws have the edge over two legs any day.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Excellent point, John. I wonder if they think in terms of three claws.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a lead in to a wing and or beak line. One that requires another dose of coffee…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Take your time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love it (as usual). haha
I saw the picture and all I could think of was, “Bacon!” (The beggin’ strips commercial)
LikeLiked by 2 people
Good one, GP. That would bring a dog out of the water for sure. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe he could use a snorkel.
LikeLike
I do love a story that ends with childish name-calling!
LikeLike
Me too. (obviously) 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Heh heh.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
The anti-hunting dog. It could become a whole new category at Westminster.
LikeLike
Haha! I knew this would be good, John. But the conversation didn’t go as expected. Thanks for this fun. Hugs on the wing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Teagan. I’m glad you liked it. I would be disappointed if the conversation went as you expected. 😁
LikeLike
A dog who thinks stopping a hunter will save the waterfowl population? Imagination without boundaries. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Also not much thinking since the dog is sure to cause the flock to hit the sky which the hunter would like.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hadn’t thought of that. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Neither did he. 🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
“I would say you are thinking as little as possible right now.” Ha! Love it.
Great work, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Staci. Glad you liked it. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
I haven’t heard “nitwit” for ages. Lots of laughs, John. Have a great day. 😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Gwen. My favorite mutter when cut off on the highway. Have a great day too. 🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Laughing out loud for real, John! A bird warden. Buuuuaaaaawwwwwaaaahhhh!!!! Too good!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jan. I’m glad you liked it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice idea, Doggie, but you need to work on the execution. I mean, really, would you trust Two Legs not to hit you with that gun if you were underwater for five whole minutes?!?
LikeLiked by 1 person
The plan has a few holes. Thanks, Debbie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL!! I think he might want to rethink that bit about biting if Two Legs has a gun. 🤣😮
The image is cute and made me smile too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
yes that would be wise. Thanks, Deborah.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
A bite would definitely get two legs attention. Fun John 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Denise.
LikeLike
It does sound like the entire underwater warning system needs to go back to the drawing board and be reworked. That may take a bit longer than four or more minutes…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, he needs to go back and figure this out. Thanks, Bruce.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wonder if dogs occasionally think this way. What a joyous photo! It does my heart good to see a dog enjoying himself.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes it does. Thanks, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha. Love the dog perspective.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is a good perspective for sure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
“I would say you are thinking as little as possible right now.” I love it! Good job, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Dan
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a cute photo and thanks for the smiles, John. Loved this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Lauren.
LikeLike
Haha! Love the face on the dog. I think he should just do what he is doing and splash around. No way the hunter can see beyond the splash 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true. Of course, you are the one with a pool.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah yes… to my dismay…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pools are hard. I vowed never again when I had one in 2000. I have kept my vow.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am SO mad at myself for taking this house…
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are there now. Maybe time to draw up a plan to find another.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nope… The plans are drawn. The top floor is being gutted, a wall is coming down, new floors are being put in, new kitchen, new bathroom… It all starts around September 15. I have SO much work to do in preparation!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Take before, during, and after photos.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Will do!
And if you’re lucky, I’ll even share 😉
LikeLike
Brat. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha!
That’s twice today I am called a brat!
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Must be from folks who love you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awww… You might be right at that 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Speaking for myself for sure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh you sweet talker, you! 😘
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes indeed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] Try Again by John W. Howell © 2022 […]
LikeLike