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 Β© 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 isΒ 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.”
I hope that was meant to be funny because it made me smile.
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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. π
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π±ππ€£π
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Thanks, Chris. So glad you got a laugh. π
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Holy Toledo, Batman! I did not see that ending coming. That made my jaw drop! π π
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So glad you liked it, Mae.π
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OMG long pigs? π 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!
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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. π
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True, you’d pay the price through the night with little ones climbing in bed with you. π
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That happened anyway. π
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Oh boy – that captain made a mistake, eh?!!
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I think he should have listened to Number Two for sure. Thanks, GP. π
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Do you remember the Twilight Zone episode where the alien’s book, “How to make Man” turned out to be a cookbook?
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I do. I can still see that guy yelling “It’s a cook book.” Here’s an excerpt https://youtu.be/wJjvg-Gq1LE
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Ya gotta love it!
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Yes you do.
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Wow! Never saw that coming.
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That makes me happy, Craig. Thanks.
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Yikes. Even scarier is that the cannibals know their language.
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Gotta wonder how that came to be. Thanks, Charles.
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I never saw that ending coming either! Bad JuJu for sure.
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Yup. So much for worrying about a giant gorilla. π
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Heh heh . . .
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π
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Fabulous ending, John!
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Thank you, Staci. I’m glad you liked it. π
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Eek! Good one, John!
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I think ‘eek’ is a perfect response, Jill. π€£
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Now that is a new description of people. I like it! Pork roast anyone?
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Oh dear. Do you have horseradish with that?
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This story has a little βSoylent Greenβ edge. π€ππ Of course the Captain stayed aboard! You have quite the imagination, John.
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Yes he did, Maggie, but now has a real conundrum. Pull up the anchor or send another landing party. π€
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That is a real conundrum, John!
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It is. π
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Send more long pigs…..bbbwwwaaaahhhhh! Great one, John!
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Thank you, Jan. π
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Bad Juju… I have seen the opposite rather recently. Long Pigs remarkably delicious even if they are not wearing red shirts…
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π«£
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I think they’re right to be scared. I certainly wouldn’t be going ashore there!
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Me either. Thanks, Keith.
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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!)
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Yes it is a good thing. So, now we are taking volunteers for the next landing party. π
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My hand is NOT raised!!
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It must have been the person behind you. Sure looked like yours though. π
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NOOOO! Definitely was the person behind me.
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Okay then.
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Great story, John! Fits the picture well!
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Thank you, Mar.
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So, not uninhabited then? lol. This makes me think of Gilligan’s Island. I miss that show!
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It was fun.
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Uh oh! Time to leave π
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Yup. Exit stage left.
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Good one, John! Long pigs! Pork and beans? π
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It’s possible. Thanks, Tim
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Number Two’s instincts are sound. No birds equals Bad Juju!!
LOL! Long pigs! No thanks!!
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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…
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Thank you, Dale. π
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π
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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 π
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I know what you mean, Marie. π
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Uh-oh, more long pigs! Fun read, John!
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I’m glad you liked it Priscilla. Thanks.π
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Yup, time to pull up the anchor. Yikes! π
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Yes it is. π
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Yikes!! This was a fun read, John, but get off the island.
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As fast as possible. π³
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Am I horrible person for wanting a Cuban sammie after reading this?
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π€£
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