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. Thank you for taking part.”
Link to Keith’s post https://keithchanning.wordpress.com/2022/12/26/kreative-kue-392/
The photo.
The Watch by John W. Howell ©2023
“I say, Reggie. Any sightings?”
“Fraid not Oliver. Nothing all day.”
“A shame, mate.”
“Well, there is a positive side.”
“Yeah, and what’s that?”
“The hawk we don’t see today is the surprise for tomorrow.”
“You make that up?”
“Sorta.”
“Well, it’s crap.”
“Oh my. Why’s that?”
“In my mind, the hawk we don’t see today is one less hawk. Period.”
“You know, that’s a very pessimistic way to look at it.”
“I prefer the word realistic.”
“Hold on.”
“What?”
“I see a red tail banking over the lagoon.”
“What a sight that must be.”
“You can say that again.”
“What a sight—”
“Very funny. He’s headed right at me.”
“Does he see you?”
“It almost looks like he does. He has something in his beak.”
“Something like what?”
“Rolled up paper. Whoa, he just swooped over and dropped the paper.”
“Go get it.”
“On my way.”
“You back yet? Hello, Reggie. You back? Reggie?”
“Yeah I’m back. Give me a second to unroll the paper. Okay, it’s a message.”
“What does it say?”
“Attention hawk watchers. We are no longer going to be the subject of observation. We are tired of the prying eyes constantly intruding on our daily lives. The hawks of the world are united, and nothing you can offer will bring us out of seclusion.”
“Boy, that is pretty harsh. You think they mean it?”
“Sounds like they do.”
“Can you communicate with them?”
“I have in the past. One on one only, though.”
“Well try again. Tell them we are prepared to offer substantial sums for visual sightings.”
“They probibly will reject money.”
“Offer corn or dead mice. I don’t care. We need to see them again.”
“Hold on. I have the hawk leader on the other line.”
“Okay I’ll stand bye.”
“Hey Oliver.”
“Yes Reggie.”
“The hawk leader says he’ll take a year’s supply of corn and mice.”
“Where we going to get a year’s supply?”
“Maybe he’ll accept installments.”
“You know how we are going to catch the mice?”
“Yeah. The cats will help.”
“Thought they were on strike for a vegan diet demand.”
“Oh dear. Maybe some traps.”
“Remember the cows are on a sabbatical so no cheese.”
“Is it my imagination or have we lost control?”
“Never should have let ’em all enroll in college.”
“We can say that now, but it might be too late.”
“Do we really have to sight hawks?”
“I was thinking the same thing.”
“Tell him to shove it.”
“Good choice of words, sir.”
Fiction Favorites 
Nice, John. I was half expecting the paper to say something like Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “tale/tail.” Find a word that contains “tale” or “tail” and use it in your post. Have fun! 😀
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Ha ha ha.
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Vegan cats. Pretty sure that’s an apocalyptic omen.
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One of the early signs.
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Ha ha. Good one, Charles!
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That really was a fun one, John. A great use of your imagination.
The minute I saw the picture, I thought of the Coastal Watchers in the Pacific. So, I was useless to imagine anything else.
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I thought the same but then took a left turn. Thanks, GP.
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Maybe these two will find a whole new hobby.
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I think they should.
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Well done, John! I remember my cat dragging in dead for me. I guess I was supposed to thank him, but usually I’d scream. Loved your story. 😊
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Yes the cat should have been thanked especially for the headless gopher. Thanks, Gwen
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Oh gosh, in my mind, I wrote “dragging in a dead mouse”…🙄… This is what 4 hours of sleep does to me. At least I could laugh at your response.
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Yes I’m glad you could laugh. 😁
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You have quite the imaginatin, John. I always knew we were the lesser species 😉
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So true, Maggie. Thanks.
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You’re welcome, John.
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😊
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Ha! Ha! Too funny. As usual, the Howell sense of humor shines!
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Thank you, Jan. 😁
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Good one, John. 🙂 Reclusive Hawks United? Wonder what the dues amount to.
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I think it is a rodent a month. Not sure though.
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Ah animal activism. Please keep them away from the garden fairies. This could actually get serious…
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It might get downright nasty.
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Delightfully absurd! 😀 😀 😀
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Ah thank you, Liz. I love that expression.
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You’re welcome, John. 🙂
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😊
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Good one, John! I sure would love that view!
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It would be nice for sure. Thanks, Jill.
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“Offer corn or dead mice” had me cracking up, then you topped it with the vegan cats. What an imagination you have, John!
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Thank you, Mae. Happy New year to you.
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Vegan cats and cows on a sabbatical- I want to be a fly on your head as you come up with these great ideas. Terrific, John.
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I don’t know, Jennie. You would have to be a brave fly indeed. It is real scary in there. 😁
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Haha!! 😅
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Fun one, John. Vegan cats and cows in college. Oh boy, the world is coming to an end!
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Might be the start. Thank you, Priscilla. 😁
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Well done, John. First they go to school, then they organize, pretty soon we’re working for them.
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So true, Dan. Thanks,
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Your imagination soars higher than any hawk I’ve ever seen, tell you what.
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What a nice thing to say, pilgrim. Thank you.
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🙂
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😁
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[…] The Watch by John W. Howell © 2022 […]
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See you when we get back.
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