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.”
Keith’s post link. https://keithchanning.wordpress.com/2023/11/27/kreative-kue-409/
The photo.
The Find by John W. Howell © 2023
“Oh, Daddy, you should see what I found.”
“One minute, sweetheart, I’m on the phone.”
“You better hurry. I don’t think it’s going to stay.”
“Just hang on. I’ll be right there.”
“Hey, kid. He’s not going to make it. I have things to do.”
“You can talk?”
“Yeah, why not.”
“But you’re a ladybug.”
“Who says?”
“You look like a ladybug.”
“For one thing, dear child, I’m no lady.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ll explain that when you are older. For now, I have to fly away home.”
“Why?”
“The saying is because my house is on fire, and my children may burn.”
“Really?”
“No. Someone just made that up. But I do have to get moving.”
“Can you stay for cookies and milk?”
“No, there are a bunch of aphids with my name on them.”
“You going to visit them?”
“They have invited me to dinner.”
“Can I go with you?”
“No, you have your Daddy who needs you.”
“I wish you could meet my Daddy.”
“Maybe next time kiddo. Now put me on the back of your hand and say the words. Do you remember them?”
“I think so, but I’m going to miss you.”
“I’ll be back, I promise.”
“Okay. Ladybug, ladybug fly away home. Your house is on fire, and your children will burn.”
“Bye, sweetheart.”
“Okay, I’m here. What did you want me to see?”
“She’s gone, Daddy. A ladybug.”
“Sorry to miss her. Would you like some cookies and milk?”
“Do we have any aphids?”
“Yes, chocolate chip aphids.”
Fiction Favorites 
Hmm. Who knew ladybirds could talk? And I’ve often wondered what the correct name is for a ladybird of the male persuasion.
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Ladybud maybe?
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Or maybe Lordbird? Or Lordbug if you prefer (though it doesn’t have the same feel to it, does it?)
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I think we know have a gender crisis in the bird beetle community.
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🤣
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😊
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You ever notice how depressing so many nursery rhymes are?
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I love the one about the bubonic plague. “Ring around the roses, pocket full of posies, all fall down. 😳
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That one came to mind!
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Grub(‘)s up Sweetie 😃
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Ha ha ha.😁
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I used to buy bags of ladybugs to sprinkle on my roses. Nothing wipes out aphids like they do.
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I would do the same thing. They were aggressive little devils.
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That’s an actual ladybug saying? Weird and fairly morbid.
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Yup. and yup.
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Good one, John.
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Thank you, GP. 😁
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Cool, John. It surprised me when I found out that ladybugs are predators. :-O
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Yes. they love aphids
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Anthropomorphic aphid eaters ! What is this world coming to ? Hey kid you got any aphids ?
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😁
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Awww, how sweet. And there is a message here. Love it, John!
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Thanks, Jan
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That’s a delightful post, John. You really outdid yourself today.
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Thank you, Dan. I guess I was thinking about the times with daughters when they were small.
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Those are special times.
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For sure
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Whoa. I wasn’t expecting chocolate chip aphids !
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Just a Dad humoring his daughter.
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I don’t blame him if said daughter’s hissy fits were as bad as he suggested.
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Preoccupied much, Dad? **waves hand and smiles** 🙄
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Yeah, Busy, busy, busy.
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Sweet John! I love ladybugs.
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Me too, Jill. 😁
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I really loved this exchange. It’s too bad her dad missed it. 🙂
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The plight of fathers sometimes.
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Only you would come up with such a wonderful little story, John! And I am with you and Marc, so many of the nursery rhymes are horrible – in meaning!
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They were actually designed to give kids a dose of the real world.
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I think that’s a really nice lesson 🙂
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😁
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I love this story. It’s one of your best, John, or maybe I just like ladybugs. 😊 Truly, your dialogue is excellent, and the concept couldn’t be better. Bravo!
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Thank you, Gwen. I enjoyed writing it. 😁
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OK, we used to say “…and your children alone!” A little less traumatic for the little ones.
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Seems like a good idea.
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Aww, I loved this story, John. 😀
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Thank you, Deborah. I’m glad you did.
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I forgot about that childhood saying, John
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Now you have it back. Thanks, Denise.
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Haha! And dad, the phone can wait.
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Yes, teacher.
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😀
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😁
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Adorable!
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Thank you, Sue
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“No, there are a bunch of aphids with my name on them.” Hehe. Those ladybugs are great at handling those pests, but I wouldn’t want to eat them. A fun and surprising story, John.
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Thank you, Diana.
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;>
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The rare missing mouth emoji.
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Oops, missing mouth. Should be: ;>)
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I saw your message and put a doofis comment on it. 😁
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Am I anonymous now?
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You and dog are your lovely selves
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A great story, John, and the chocolate chip aphids caught me by surprise. 🙂
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That was dad fooling around.
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😁
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😊
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[…] The Find by John W. Howell © 2023 […]
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