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.”
Here is a link to Keith’s post. https://keithchanning.wordpress.com/2024/05/27/kreative-kue-433/
The photo.
Fledgling By John W. Howell © 2024.
“Open wide.”
“Gimerglibb.”
“What?”
“Ahem. I can’t get any wider.”
“Sorry. It’s an expression.”
“What is that stuff anyway?”
“A scientific mixture of chick food.”
“No wonder.”
“No wonder what?”
“It tastes so bad. I’m not a chick.”
“You are a young bird. Almost the same thing.”
“To you, maybe. To me, I’m a fledgling.”
“Who taught you that?”
“My Mama.”
“Where is she now?”
“Still at the nest, I suppose.”
“Why aren’t you there?”
“Like I said, I’m a fledgling. I’m supposed to go my own way.”
“We thought you needed help.”
“What made you think that?”
“You were walking instead of flying for one thing.”
“Oh, that. I was giving my wings a rest.”
“Could have fooled me. You looked all done in.”
“Mama taught me to look weak in the face of an enemy.”
“I’m not an enemy.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“Okay, what now?”
“I have to hoof it back home.”
“Hoof it?”
“Well, I mean fly. Hoof it is an expression.”
“So, you don’t need rescue.”
“Nope. Thank you kindly. And a word to the wise.”
“Yes.”
“Lose the chick food.”
“Noted.”
Fiction Favorites 
An important lesson there, John. Rescue is only rescue when it’s really needed. Mostly, provided it’s uninjured and not in immediate danger, a chick that leaves the nest early will be taken care of by its parents. And hand-rearing a chick that hasn’t yet developed all its feathers is not a trivial job!
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I have never raised a chick but I suspect you could be called an expert. Thanks for the additional information.
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And all he was trying to do was help out – which was really kind. Hope the fledgling is accepted back into the nest!
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I have it on good authority the family prepared the fatted worm and all is well.
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Wonderful news!
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Maybe you can call him an Uber.
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Give him a VooDoo for the road too. 😁
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Isn’t that a great expression: hoof if? Hoof and mouth disease? The mind wanders… Pass me some more of that chick food.
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Ha ha ha. Thanks, Lois. 😁
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The old adage, “Never judge a book by its cover” came to my mind since they both got the wrong end of the stick there.
Well, the Fledgling got a meal, and the person gets points for trying to help. I love a happy ending.
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Yes it is a happy ending for sure.
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Trying to help is a good thing, even if the help is rejected.
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I think so too, Tim. Thanks.
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I have to agree with the bird, it does look unappealing:)
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Ha ha ha.
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Bird has some good street smarts.
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I think he has spent sme time out there (so to speak)
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Ungrateful little creature . . .
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I know right?
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I’ve always heard one should let wee ones alone, provided they’re not seriously injured, because Nature will take care of them. I guess his heart was in the right place though!
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Yes indeed. A big heart.
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Thanks for the grin today, John! 🙂
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Glad you got one,Jan. 😁
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A wonderful photo, and great dialogue from the fledgling! … Looks like he is enjoying opening Wide.. ❤
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It does doesn’t it. Thanks, Sue.
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🙂 xx
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😊
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He does. Thanks, Sue
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🙂
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😁
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Oh but this was a wonderful read! Thank you, John.
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I’m so glad you enjoyed it Kymber.
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Wonderful dialogue, John, and spot-on, too! I learned from my mother that some birds will fledge on the ground, usually hiding in bushes. The parents are usually nearby so it’s best to leave the little bird alone.
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I think so. Thanks Marie.
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Everybody’s a critic when it comes to food.
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They are Pete. Thanks. 😁
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That made me smile! Great story, John.
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I’m glad
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🙂
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You do a fine job giving animals a voice, with birds and puppies.
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😁
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I’m with the fledgling. I don’t dig on food that looks as if it got a second opinion.
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😁
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People often mistake animals as needing rescue, when they don’t. We’ve learned that the very young rabbits actually do quite well without any help from us (except proving a yard they can eat in).
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So true, Dan.
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I can’t blame the bird for gagging on that mush.
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It does look a little sketchy
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Free meals sometime come with a price to pay after all, John.
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Free is a very subjective word. Thanks Bruce.
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Haha..the picky bird!!!! reminds me of the brand new sandwiches I’ve given to some on the street and they turn their nose up so I
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I had a guy toss one on the pavement
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Rude… I was going to say.. so I took it back and said: No worries, I’ll eat it then, thank you. 🙀
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Good for you.
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Thanks, John ❤️
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That was charming and delightful. Thanks for the smile. I’ve heard of chick flicks, but not chick food. 😆
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Yes chick food might be something new.
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Nice story and message from Keith. I thought we had a wounded hawk in our backyard recently until I realized that all the head bobbing and shoulder movement was just the bird enjoying the innards of a recently killed squirrel held tightly in its talons.
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Sounds like he was doing his job. Thanks, Steve. 😁
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[…] Fledgling by John W. Howell © 2024 […]
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Thanks for the wingback, Keith
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