Today, I opened Our Justice randomly to page 151. I pointed to the page with my eyes closed, and the word contemplation was closest to my finger.
Contemplation by John W. Howell © 2024
“You’re quiet.”
“Yeah.”
“Is it a contemplation, or are you not feeling well?”
“A little of both, I suppose.”
“Aw. What is bothering you?”
“I think I overate at lunch.”
“I thought you seemed overly hungry.”
“I don’t think it was that.”
“What was it then?”
“I have been wondering why we were put on the Earth. I think the contemplation of that question just got me to a point where I binge ate.”
“Well, I have certainly had that feeling myself.”
“You have?”
“Yes. A while back, I was also wondering what is the ultimate meaning of life?”
“Oh wow. Then I’m not weird.”
“Not at all. I think most thinking beings ask themselves that very thing. Especially in our case, given the way we live.”
“By the way we live, what do you mean?”
“We have to rely on some unfortunate circumstance to happen in order to get a meal.”
“What do you mean by unfortunate?”
“Like today. We would never have had such a beautiful lunch had that raccoon not run under that car.”
“Oh, I get it. We need road kill to survive.”
“Exactly.”
“But I never thought such a thing was unfortunate.”
“No. Then ask our lunch host the next time.”
“Oh, my goodness. I never thought of them. Is there a way to change how we find food?”
“Like become vegans? Don’t make me laugh. We are vultures, and we are destined to eat what has gone before us.”
“So contemplation about such things is not very healthy.”
“Just think of this. If we weren’t here, who would clean up the mess left by a dead animal? Certainly not humans. They can’t seem to pick up a beer can, let alone a skunk.”
“So we have purpose.”
“You bet. And some pretty fine eats.”
“Thanks, you’ve helped me.”
“Good. Feel better?”
“Yeah. Let’s catch a thermal and find another meal.”
Fiction Favorites 
They’ve got a job to do, same as everyone else.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes they do. Good point, Pilgrim.
LikeLike
Good stuff. Those scavengers are important.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes they are. Thanks, Craig.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Everything has a purpose in Nature, but I can’t find one for humans.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah we are the oddballs.
LikeLike
This time I was prepared for animal (in this case avian) characters!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are becoming crafty, Liz. I’ll have to witch it up a little. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Heh, heh . . .
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know right?
LikeLiked by 1 person
One day, I saw a turkey buzzard eating a dead something, and it was oddly satisfying. I had never seen anything like that…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well it is nice to know someone is cleaning up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Scavengers definitely serve a great purpose. Roads would be disgusting without them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true. Thanks, Charles.
LikeLike
I’ve wanted to thank the vultures a couple of times for cleaning up dead animals in the neighborhood. They picked up the bodies and took them someplace where they could eat them in private.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A great service. Thanks, Tim.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a clever story-never in the world did I think it would be a convo between vultures. Well done, John! You caught me by surprise and made me smile.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That makes me happy, Monika. Thanks for letting me know. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nicely handled. I wouldn’t have thought vultures to be the contemplative sort, but you’ve shown me they can be!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha ha. Thanks, Debbie. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, hahaha! I was concerned about ‘by the way we live’ and then ‘unfortunate’ but I didn’t suspect raccoons. And certainly not vultures! Too funny!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Lois. I’m so glad you liked it. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s all in how you look at things! This, to me, is a very healthy way for them!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes it is. Much better than we having to do it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely. Environmentally sound, as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sure enough.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ve conveyed so much here, just through dialogue. An interesting conversation.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Esther. I appreciate your comment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m hoping they finish up their job on a skunk that got hit in front of our house yesterday. Going outside is unpleasant. Good one, John 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d go out and give them some direction. Thanks, Denise.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well done, John. Informative and humorous. Can’t get better than that! 🌞
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw. Thank you, Gwen. You make me feel good with that comment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They’re right about people not cleaning that up. These guys are doing a good job and providing a valuable service. Speaking of good jobs – nicely done, John.
LikeLike
Love the zingers at the end of your conversations!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad, Noelle.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had no idea where you were going with that, John, but vultures…perfect!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jan. Love the comment
LikeLiked by 1 person
Every animal plays a part. Excellent word choice! Did not predict this one. 🤔
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you liked it Michele. Thanks for letting me know. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome and yes, a great imagination! ✨
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
The vultures don’t know there purpose. They just eat. Do they care? We were scavengers and hunters too, but we now we are changing everything.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true. Someone once said that all creatures on Earth seem to have a purpose except humans.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is always amazing to see what your imagination comes up with.
A fantastic dialogue!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Rabirius.
LikeLike
Ha! I knew there’d be a twist in there. Glad they got over the “contemplation” and back to cleaning up the highway, John. Fun story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Diana. 😁 Glad you liked it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hate it when l have contemplation…🐳
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know what you mean. My best to Diane and 🐳
LikeLike
A road kill lunch . So much fun here, John!💕😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you liked it, Cindy.
LikeLike
This was fun, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you liked it. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] Fiction Favorites: Tuesday – Anything Possible – Finger Point Prompt – Contemplation | Fiction Favorites (johnwho… Today, I opened Our Justice randomly to page 151. I pointed to the page with my eyes […]
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Traci.
LikeLike