Today I randomly opened Detour on the Eternal Road to page 97. With eyes closed I pointed to the page. The word nearest my finger was union.
Union by John W. Howell © 2025.
“Dearly beloved. We are gathered here today to witness the beautiful union of this male and this female. If anyone has just cause as to why this marriage should not take place speak now or—”
“I have just cause.”
“Who are you?”
“I am the husband of the bride.”
“Oh, come now sir. Perhaps you have made a mistake or took a little too long at the pre-reception.”
“I’m not drunk and I am not mistaken. This bride is married to me.”
“Why are you not together then?”
“You can ask her, but for all I know she just got tired.”
“Tired? Tired of what?”
“Well… she just became a mother and I think it was all too much.”
“Just became a mother? You have to be kidding.”
“No she left the children and I to fend for ourselves.”
“Children? How many children?”
“There are six.”
“Six? I think I’m going to faint. I would be tired too.”
“It’s not a big deal. Some have up to twelve.”
“Okay we must be talking by each other. Explain the six children.”
“We are Cassowary birds and she laid six eggs.”
“Oh. That’s different.”
“And like all Cassowary birds she left me to raise them. I’ve been on the nest 50 days and now they are hatched.”
“You want her home.”
“It would be nice.”
“May I say something?”
“Ah, the Cassowary mother wants the floor.”
“If you two idiots would look up Cassowary birds you will find that once the eggs are laid, our job is done. I’m not going back there ever.”
“I need to say something.”
“The chair recognizes the groom.”
“I don’t want chicks so we make a perfect couple.”
“I’m no expert but there has to be a formal dissolution of the first marriage before I can marry you two.”
“We never got married.”
“What?”
“He was a good looking bird so I just stayed in his nest.”
“Is this true husband?”
“Sadly it is.”
“Well then can we proceed with the ceremony?”
“I left the kids outside. Can they join?”
“Miss bride. How about it?”
“The more the merrier. Let’s get on with it.”
Fiction Favorites 
Oh John, I don’t know how you think these stories up, but keep doing them… Loved this…. Argh to be a Castaway Bird and fly the nest leaving hubby to bring up the roost 🙂 I think Mama Bird got it made 🙂
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Mama Bird does have it made. Her new hubby says he doesn’t want kids but he might be in for a surprise when the eggs show up and Mama’s gone.
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Haha…. I am sure he will be, when he is left holding the chicks 🙂
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So true. Thanks, Sue.
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Mama bird has it made? When was the last time you pushed out 6 eggs? LOL Great story, John. Loved it.
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I’m glad you did. Loved the egg comment. 😀
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That’s hilarious! Where on earth did that come from?! On second thoughts, we’d best not know!
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It is a fact that many times, I don’t know where they come from. Thanks, Esther
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hahaha, You are too much, John. Cassowary birds – how do you think of these things?
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The word did inspire me to think of a union and then a situation. The rest fell into place.
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My brain can’t imagine how you go from union to birds. 🥴
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Well, I wish I could tell you, but my brain just goes off and does its own thing.
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Mother of the year. There could be a reality show in there somewhere.
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I think it might have already been done. 😀
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The papa cassowary doesn’t like the normal life of their breed. I wonder how he got the kids to leave the nest he built.
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He gave them each 20 bucks and told them to hit the road.
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😃
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😀
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I knew cassowaries were physically destructive. Didn’t know they were emotionally brutal too. Geez.
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It seems that way. Beautiful birds, though.
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Mmmm, promiscuous Cassowaries! At least the bridegroom couldn’t fly away. However, if the bride was annoyed she could have eviscerated her former lover – they have long, sharp talons on powerful legs!
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That is a good observation, Noelle.
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I just read a post on cassowaries last month!
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😀
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Thanks for the morning laughs!!! Sounds like he’s in for a lot of work!😭
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Yes indeed. He will have to raise those chicks by himself.
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🩷😭🐣🐣🐣🐣🐣🐣💕
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😀
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Well, shoot. They’re flightless birds so the poor guy had to walk to the ceremony after sitting on that nest for so long. But I did enjoy the chair recognizing everyone. This was kind of like watching a tennis match.
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I’m glad you liked it. Since I don’t use dialogue tags, I have to invent ways to ensure the reader knows who is talking.
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This is so weird. Guess what just showed up in my MSN feed? A little video entitled ‘Why the Cassowary is the World’s Most Dangerous Bird.”
Why the Cassowary Is the World’s Most Dangerous Bird | Watch
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Whew! 😂
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More smiles with this story!
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Are these things real birds, or did you make them up, John?? At first, I was thinking “bird,” but when you mentioned the possibility of having 12 kiddos, I started thinking “Golden retriever.” I needed a chuckle today, and you didn’t disappoint — thanks!
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They are real. Big ole birds who don’t fly, and the Dads raise the young
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That was a great word to pick, John.
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It did work out.
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That certainly was a story full of surprises. It was an amusing read and I was laughing. Thank you John.
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I’m glad you liked it, Thomas.
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I had never heard of these birds before you introduced them to me just now. And from what I have already learned about them, humans should never again complain about daycare or whose turn it is to stay up with the baby.
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I agree. These birds are the worst mothers.
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The worst!
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Ha ha ha
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Fun perspective. Could be a cute illustrated short story.
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Thank you, Rebecca. I agree on the short story. Thanks 😊
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A most entertaining way to learn about the behavior of Cassowary birds. 😄 Fun story, John!
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Thank you, Michele. Fun writing it too.
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😊
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😊
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Hahahahaha! Not all species are maternal…
This is too funny, John.
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Glad you liked it, Dale. You back home now?
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Indeed I do!
Yes. Got home late Sunday night!
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😊
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This is too funny, John. Who’s going to throw up some food for the kids at the reception?
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Ha hah ha. It takes a family.
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Entertaining — and educational! I didn’t realize that about cassowary birds 🌞
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They are a weird bunch for sure. Thanks, Dave.
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😅
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Glad you liked it.
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