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.”
Here is a link to Keith’s post: https://keithchanning.wordpress.com/2023/11/06/kreative-kue-406/
The Photo.
Smile by John W. Howell ©2023
“Okay, men. If you will listen up, we have a few announcements.”
“Yeah, like how to get outta here.”
“What was that?”
“Oh, nothing. I was just getting some air under my paridhana. I was telling the hot air to leave.”
“May I continue?”
“No one stopped you.”
“Would you quit interrupting?”
“Sure.”
“Thank you. Now, before we form up for the parade, I just have a couple of things you need to remember.”
“Like not do this again next year.”
“What is with you?”
“I thought we were going to attend a class and not be paraded like freaks in a circus.”
“What is so bad about being in a parade?”
“I understand we are following the elephants.”
“That’s correct. One thing I was going to tell you all is to mind the lumps.”
“Lumps? You mean droppings, don’t you?”
“Well, yes.”
“See, that is something we shouldn’t have to do. Why not put the zebras behind the elephants?”
“Because the zebras are in the finale.”
“They are more important than us?”
“The crowd has seen a bunch of men in skirts. Now zebras, on the other hand, are a rarity.”
“How about we quit.”
“You can’t.”
“Why not?”
“Read the contract you signed.”
“But this is harassment.”
“Yeah, and it’s also covered.”
“I want a lawyer.”
“You are a lawyer.”
“Oh, yeah. I would say I have a fool for a client.”
Fiction Favorites 
Not the lawyer I want representing me if he can’t bother with the details of a contract. Especially when elephants are involved.
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I’ve met a few of these. Thanks, Pilgrim.
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Thanks, John. Not a well-negotiated contract by the look of things!
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Looks that way. Lets ho[e the term of the agreement is the duration of the parade.
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Hope they’re given shovels.
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Or snow shoes.
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Wow, one guy really wants to get the hot air out of his skirt.
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Those bean burritos need venting for sure.
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Ha!
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😊
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He’s the guy I want the story on. Maybe the other guys should walk behind him.
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I think in front of him would be safer. Thanks, Lois
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And the elephants.
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I think this may be a case of be careful what you wish for.
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I think you may be right Liz.
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My goodness, you have an incredibly out-of-the-box way of seeing things, John. Elephants, zebras, a parade. Amazing. Bravo!
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Thank you Gwen. I guess I do have a different way of seeing things. One thing is certain I’m never alone. 😁
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LOL! I feel the same, but I suspect our experience is quite different. There are no elephants running around in my world.😄
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At least mine aren’t pink
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This photo had so many possibilities. You did great with it, John! 🙂
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Thank you, Jill. There were a number of stories there. Glad you like the one I picked. 😁
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Oh my gosh, John…the lumps, that guy letting the hot air escape… Your mind is one of those ‘terrible things’ isn’t it? 😆
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You don’t want to see the video of what goes on in my head each day. 🤣
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You are hilarious!
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Aw. Thank you. 😊
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Huge lumps to avoid, I bet. 😉
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The biggest. Thanks, Tim. 😁
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Remember to wave and dodge the lumps.
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Got it. Oops Got it reversed.
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This was really funny, John. 🙂
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Thank you, Kymber.
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What kind of lawyer doesn’t read the fine print? Or the large print, for that matter – because something tells me this particular clause was not hidden!
You always go in ways I never expect. I love that.
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Who knows what kind of lawyer that guy is. For one thing I would say he is incompetent. 😁
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Right! He could be a patent lawyer! 😉
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😁
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Hilarious as always, John! Love the twist!
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Thank you, Jan
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I wouldn’t want to be following the elephants either, John!
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Ha ha ha
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I.thought the elephants might be pink, you know. Never really understood why pink, mind. Glad the zebras get the top billing.
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Yuck. Nothing like following the big animals in a parade. We typically put the horses last (sure don’t want to be marching in band and following that mess!)
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So true, Debbie. We won’t make the band march in the elephant gifts.
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Ha ha ha! Never walk behind the elephants!
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Good advice.
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Haha! And, yup!
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😁
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I kinda felt sorry for the guy, until I found out he’s a lawyer. Lift and vent counselor.
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There you go.
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I don’t know which is worse, following the elephants, or following the elephants AND the zebras. 🙂 A fun story, John. Thanks for the laugh.
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Glad you got a laugh, Diana.
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Lol. It would be lawyers!
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[…] Smile by John W. Howell © 2023 […]
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