Today, I randomly opened a proof copy of soon to be published Detour on the Eternal Road to page 150. With my eyes closed, I pointed to the page. The word “stories” was closest to my finger and is the prompt.
Stories by John W. Howell © 2024
“Come on, Dad, tell me one of your stories.”
“Aw, kid. I think you have heard them all.”
“That’s impossible. You’ve seen so much and have been all over the world. There has got to be one you haven’t told.”
“Well, let me think.”
“Oh, goodie.”
“Have I told you about the time I avoided capture by an enemy?”
“I don’t think so. Start it, and I’ll interrupt if you have.”
“Okay. Once upon a time—”
“Hold it. Heard that one.”
“I was just setting the scene.”
“Okay. Go ahead.”
“Who is the storyteller here anyway?”
“I’m sorry, go ahead.”
“I was minding my business and going into the pantry for a snack.”
“Lots of good stuff in there.”
“Excuse me.”
“What?”
“You want to tell the story.”
“No, but it does take you a while to get to the point.”
“Okay, then the point was there was this large chunk of cheese sitting on a wooden platform with some kind of spring-loaded metal apparatus held by a rod connected to where the cheese sat.”
“So it was a mouse trap.”
“How do you know?”
“Duh. There’s the internet, Dad.”
“So there I was, getting hungry and not knowing what to do.”
“So you grabbed something and threw it on the cheese, which sprung the trap, and you had a delightful meal.”
“So much for the story. I guess you heard it before.”
“Not really, it’s just what I would have done.”
“At least you know what to do if you are in the same circumstance.”
“And that’s why your stories are so valuable.”
“You think?”
“Now I’m hungry. Let’s go to the pantry.”
“Not now, son. The cat is roaming around.”
“I’ll bet that is another story.”
“Yeah, for another day.”
Fiction Favorites 
I think I know that kid.
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Ha ha ha. Thanks, Craig.
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hahaha, a mouse, eh? You do take me by surprise, John!
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Yes a mouse. Thanks for letting me know about the surprise. 😁
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Thanks for the chuckles, John. And that’s a classic line: “Duh. There’s the internet, Dad.” 😄😄😄
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Some dads tend to forget that for sure. Thanks, Dave.
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This is great, John. I like how you give animals a point of view. I imagine that’s how they would speak to each other.
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I guess in my. world that is exactly how they talk to each other. Thank you for the lovely comment, Kymber.
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You’re welcome. 🌸
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😊
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Smart kid. Though mice have to face glue traps now. Much harder to evade.
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Too bad they can’t wear golishes so that they are one boot away from freedom.
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Delightful, John. You caught me with the POV. 🙂
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So glad I did. Hee hee. 😊
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“No, but it does take you a while to get to the point.” Made me laugh. I am such a ‘cut to the chase’ kinda gal. **yada yada yada…and what’s the point?** 🙄
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Ha ha ha. I can see that in you, Lois. 😁
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That kid was my son. Never gave up a chance for cheese!
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Cheese is good food for sure.
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Ha! Love it and I didn’t know until the mention of the cat that the characters were mice. 🙂 Fantastic!
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I’m so glad you got a little surprise. Thanks, Jan.
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Haha! I think I got a crick in my neck from the twist!
Don’t know why I didn’t think of it immediately 😉
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Well you know I do spend some time trying to create a twist. If it is too early then it doesn’t work. Glad you liked it, Dale. Here take this warm cloth for your neck. 😊
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And you succeed so well, too!
Much appreciated for the cloth 😉
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Ha ha ha
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I expect those mice are living the good life in that pantry. I’ll bet they know enough to avoid the D-Con, too.
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Yeah they both avoid process foods.
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Very fun dialogue driven story.🥳
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Thank you, Pat.
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Very welcome, John.
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😊
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Betchya the next story features a bell.
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Ha ha ha. You’ve given me an idea.
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Very entertaining story about pests’ point of view, John.
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Thanks, Tim
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I didn’t see that twist until right at the end. You;re so good at these, John.
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Kinda snuck up on you. Thanks, Esther.
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I love your finger-point-prompts, John. This one is great. I’m looking forward to the new book. Hugs.
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I’m glad you like it, Teagan. Thanks for the nice comment on the book.
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Fun twist, and I think our mice know this trick.
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They have been to mice school I’m sure.
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Eek! They get smarter with each generation!
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So true. Thanks, Debbie. 😁
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“Hold it. Heard that one.” 🤣 Good one, John.
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Thanks, Pete.
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Your life as a mouse. That was a very entertaining little story.
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Thank you, Thomas. The best thing about being a writer is living many lives in many forms. 😁
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That was pretty cheesy.
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😁
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Adorably precious. Loved it!
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Thank you, Monika. 😊
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Well done on the story, John.
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Thank you, Jennie
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You’re welcome, John.
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