Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #394 by Keith Channing

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.

Visit Keith at his place if you want to read the stories or participate. Here is the link to his post. https://keithchanning.wordpress.com/2023/02/20/kreative-kue-394/

The Photo.

The Island by John W. Howell © 2023

“What do you think, Number Two?”

“Looks deserted, Captain.”

“My thought exactly. I’m a little worried about that rock there.”

“How so, Captain?”

“When I was a kid, I saw a scary movie where a giant gorilla lived on such a rock.”

“You think this might be the rock?”

“No, of course not. There is something creepy about it, though. Is this island on our map?”

“No, sir. It is  uncharted.”

“Hmmm. Have you ever seen a movie where an uncharted island was not filled with horrors?”

“Not much for movies, sir. If you’re saying this island may be dangerous, I will agree.”

“You will? Why?”

“For one thing, there are no birds flying around. I have never stood off from an island that didn’t have birds.”

“I don’t see any signs of inhabitants either.”

“That may be a good thing, but no birds? Bad JuJu.”

“We should send a landing party to check it out.”

“Suit yourself, Captain, but as for me, I would rather we lift anchor and leave this island in the uncharted category.”

“Tell the boatswain’s mate to assemble a party to reconnoiter the island.”

“Aye, aye, sir.”

“Make sure they are well armed.”

* * *

“Captain. We got a garbled message from the landing party’s radio.”

“It’s been twenty-four hours, Number Two. It’s about time. What’s the message?”

“It was hard to understand, but sparks figured it out.”

“Enough suspense. What did the message say?”

“Send more long pigs.”

“Long pigs? What the hell are long pigs?”

“We think they mean us, Sir.”

 

 

 

68 comments

  1. Paula R.C. Readman's avatar

    I hope that was meant to be funny because it made me smile.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Most everything I write on my blog is meant to be funny, so I’m glad you got a smile. Thanks, for letting me know, Paula. 😊

      Like

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thanks, Chris. So glad you got a laugh. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Mae Clair's avatar

    Holy Toledo, Batman! I did not see that ending coming. That made my jaw drop! 🙀 😆

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      So glad you liked it, Mae.😁

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Gwen M. Plano's avatar

    OMG long pigs? 😄 I can only imagine the kind of stories you told your kids when they were little. Hmm, that should be a topic in your true confession book, or at least your “Top 10 Things Not To Do…” Well done, John!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Gwen. I pretty much stuck with Good Night Moon and Brown bear, brown Bear kinds of books. No use raising the little one’s hair just before sleep. 😁

      Like

      1. Gwen M. Plano's avatar

        True, you’d pay the price through the night with little ones climbing in bed with you. 😄

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          That happened anyway. 😁

          Like

  4. GP's avatar

    Oh boy – that captain made a mistake, eh?!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I think he should have listened to Number Two for sure. Thanks, GP. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

      1. GP's avatar

        Do you remember the Twilight Zone episode where the alien’s book, “How to make Man” turned out to be a cookbook?

        Liked by 2 people

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          I do. I can still see that guy yelling “It’s a cook book.” Here’s an excerpt https://youtu.be/wJjvg-Gq1LE

          Liked by 1 person

        2. GP's avatar

          Ya gotta love it!

          Liked by 1 person

  5. coldhandboyack's avatar

    Wow! Never saw that coming.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      That makes me happy, Craig. Thanks.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Charles Yallowitz's avatar

    Yikes. Even scarier is that the cannibals know their language.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Gotta wonder how that came to be. Thanks, Charles.

      Like

  7. Liz Gauffreau's avatar

    I never saw that ending coming either! Bad JuJu for sure.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yup. So much for worrying about a giant gorilla. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Staci Troilo's avatar

    Fabulous ending, John!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Staci. I’m glad you liked it. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Jill Weatherholt's avatar

    Eek! Good one, John!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I think ‘eek’ is a perfect response, Jill. 🤣

      Like

  10. quiall's avatar

    Now that is a new description of people. I like it! Pork roast anyone?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Oh dear. Do you have horseradish with that?

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Maggie's avatar

    This story has a little “Soylent Green” edge. 🤭😉😂 Of course the Captain stayed aboard! You have quite the imagination, John.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yes he did, Maggie, but now has a real conundrum. Pull up the anchor or send another landing party. 🤔

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Maggie's avatar

        That is a real conundrum, John!

        Liked by 1 person

  12. Author Jan Sikes's avatar

    Send more long pigs…..bbbwwwaaaahhhhh! Great one, John!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Jan. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

  13. John Hric's avatar

    Bad Juju… I have seen the opposite rather recently. Long Pigs remarkably delicious even if they are not wearing red shirts…

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Keith Edgar Channing's avatar

    I think they’re right to be scared. I certainly wouldn’t be going ashore there!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Me either. Thanks, Keith.

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Debbie's avatar

    Eek! Sounds like the natives might be hungry. Glad I wasn’t in the initial search party (and I’ll bet Captain and Number Two are, as well!)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yes it is a good thing. So, now we are taking volunteers for the next landing party. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Debbie's avatar

        My hand is NOT raised!!

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          It must have been the person behind you. Sure looked like yours though. 😁

          Liked by 1 person

        2. Debbie's avatar

          NOOOO! Definitely was the person behind me.

          Liked by 1 person

  16. Mar's avatar

    Great story, John! Fits the picture well!

    Liked by 1 person

  17. Jacquie Biggar's avatar

    So, not uninhabited then? lol. This makes me think of Gilligan’s Island. I miss that show!

    Liked by 1 person

  18. D.L. Finn, Author's avatar
    D.L. Finn, Author · ·

    Uh oh! Time to leave 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yup. Exit stage left.

      Like

  19. T. W. Dittmer's avatar

    Good one, John! Long pigs! Pork and beans? 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      It’s possible. Thanks, Tim

      Liked by 1 person

  20. circadianreflections's avatar

    Number Two’s instincts are sound. No birds equals Bad Juju!!

    LOL! Long pigs! No thanks!!

    Like

  21. Dale's avatar

    Thankfully the local cannibals spoke English… I’m thinking maybe the captain will now listen to Number Two and get outta Dodge! Your imagination is quite something, John…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Dale. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  22. Marie A Bailey's avatar

    Oh, my, sounds like something worse than a big gorilla is on that island. I enjoyed this, John. Made me smile and cringe at the same time 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I know what you mean, Marie. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  23. Priscilla Bettis's avatar

    Uh-oh, more long pigs! Fun read, John!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I’m glad you liked it Priscilla. Thanks.😊

      Liked by 1 person

  24. markbierman's avatar

    Yup, time to pull up the anchor. Yikes! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  25. Jennie's avatar

    Yikes!! This was a fun read, John, but get off the island.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      As fast as possible. 😳

      Liked by 1 person

  26. Sorryless's avatar

    Am I horrible person for wanting a Cuban sammie after reading this?

    Liked by 1 person