In Keith’s words. “Using this image (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really. Either put your offering (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before the end of the week. 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/2024/05/13/kreative-kue-432/
The photo.
Overnight by John W. Howell © 2024
“Long story short, Mom, I want to invite Billy for a sleepover.”
“Oh, darling. That might be hard to do.”
“Why?”
“Well, if we had an empty nest, I would say go for it.”
“But there is plenty of room.”
“For you and your sisters, yes.”
“Billy can sleep in my part.”
“It’s not that easy. Look at me right now.”
“Yeah, so?”
“I’m half out of the place.”
“But you always sit there.”
“Sure, ’cause there’s no room with you little ones here.”
“Can’t the sisters stay with friends tonight?”
“Their friend’s family has the same problem. ”
“But they only have two chicks.”
“Bald Eagle chicks are a whole lot bigger than you guys.”
“Aw gee, Mom. I never get a chance to have any fun.”
“Now you sound like your father.”
“Just one night, please?”
“Have we met Billy?”
“No, he’s new to the neighborhood.”
“Well, why don’t you invite him to dinner, and then we’ll see where it goes.”
“What are we having?
“Rodent, I think. I haven’t gone shopping yet.”
Ew. I don’t think Billy likes rodents.”
“How do you know?”
“He’s a quail. I think he’s vegan.”
“A quail? Does his Mom know you and he are friends?”
“The subject never came up, why?”
“Well, quail and hawks don’t usually get along. In fact, it might not be a good idea for you two to play together.”
“Why’s that?”
“Your dad has been known to attack quail.”
“No kidding. Why?”
“I don’t know how to say this, but sometimes they are dinner.”
“Aw, Mom. Say it isn’t so.”
“I wish I could.”
“He’s my best friend.”
“Well then, let’s just keep thins between us. Don’t tell your father. Dinner or an overnight are out of the question.”
“I can see that.”
“And if Billy’s parents find out he is friends with a hawk, you can expect they will have something to say about that.”
“Boy, this world is sure messed up.”
“It is sometimes son. But for the most part, pretty nice.”
Fiction Favorites 
Nice to see you striking a blow for inter-species relationships, John.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Subtle statement on tolerance.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Subtle, very well-stated, and definitely hilarious in parts 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Marie. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nicely done, John, and a fantastic message. Love it 💕🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Harmony. So glad you liked it. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes! Invite the dinner to come over! 😀
LikeLike
Ha ha ha. Thanks, Tim. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Proof, once again, that children don’t see race 😉 It’s always the parents who teach it to them. In this case, however, Mom is doing him a solid…
Maybe when they grow up, Billy and Q can have a secret friendship 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think a relationship between the two could be a possibility. Thanks, Dale. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I truly like the idea of it 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I truly like the idea of it 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like mother knows best.
LikeLiked by 1 person
As usual mother’s do know best. Thanks, Craig
LikeLiked by 1 person
Don’t know what I can add, you did a good job here, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, GP. That makes me feel good.😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
That sounds awkward.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is awkward.
LikeLike
Nothing like inviting a guest for dinner … and then informing them they’re on the menu! Well done, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That would be a shock for sure. Thanks, Debbie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A story with a message!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed. I sneak some in once in a while. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Words of wisdom! Baby quail are a prime target for hawks and ravens in our area. Great story, John. 🌞
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Gwen. Glad you enjoyed it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sweet story with a sweet message. Love it.
LikeLike
Thank you, Monika. I’m so glad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Against all odds, I’m rooting for their friendship 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
A good thing to root for for sure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Friendship conquers all. Really good friends are hard to find, and sometimes we do find them even when the odds wouldn’t favor so. I’m rooting for them to beat those odds, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think that is the right thing to do, Bruce. Thanks
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this, John! What a great twist. Poor boys can’t be friends.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah it is a shame.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Now you sound like your father.” I love that. Sounds like mom has her wits about her.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Like all mothers. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh John, this is such a tender loving story. I sooo love it and I love your wonderful metaphors in your heartfelt poem!!!🌹🙏🏼💓
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Cindy. 🤗
LikeLike
I love this story. Just adorable, John.
LikeLike
Thank you, Diana. I’m glad you liked it. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
A good lesson for us all. You may have some children’s writing in your blood, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes a good lesson. Thanks Pete. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is such a beautiful way of pointing out a lot of issues going on the world. Well done.
By the way a little bird ( I think it was a chickadee, everyone gets along with them) told me today is your birthday so let me wish you a Happy Birthday and a wonderful year ahead filled with love, joy, and prosperity. 🌷
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for the lovely birthday wish, Holly. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s my pleasure, I hope it’s going great 🎂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent. Got to lick the butter cream frosting beater.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now you’re talking about a great birthday 🥳!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was divine.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So very glad to to hear that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🌹
LikeLiked by 1 person
A fun way to share an important message, John! Love it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jan. 😊
LikeLike
This was terrific, John. Quite a message here.
LikeLike
Thank you, Jennie. Yes there is. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
A day in raptors life. Even the petite have demands on the living environment, and social interaction.:-) xx Michael
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes indeed. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
So that’s what they mean when they say “for the birds”!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly. 🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] Overnight by John W. Howell © 2024 […]
LikeLike
I just found this in spam. Thank you so much for the birthday wish, Jill. It is like an extra day of birthday
LikeLike
I thought the “full nest” was a metaphor until like halfway through. 😂 This was a cute poem though. ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
There are two metaphors. The nest size speaks to growing up and parent sacrifice. The second is how prejudice is born Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
True, I suppose it wasn’t that it wasn’t a metaphor, just a larger one than I first realized.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😁
LikeLiked by 1 person