Today I randomly opened Detour on the Eternal Road to page 187. With eyes closed, I pointed to the page, and my finger fell closest to the word “genuine.” This is the prompt.
Genuine by John W. Howell © 2025
“Yeah sure. Tell me again where you found this?”
“Like I said, it was by a tree, and I was just looking around, and it caught my eye.”
“How did it ‘catch’ your eye?”
“Just look at how brilliant it is. Who would miss that?”
“Do you know how rare it is to find one of these?”
“I know that’s why I was so excited to show it to you.”
“Well, you did the right thing. We first have to determine if it is genuine.”
“How do we do that?”
“The easiest way is to rub it against a tooth. If it feels smooth, it probably is genuine.”
“You say probably. Can’t you be certain?”
“We have to do a couple of other tests.”
“Like?”
“The smell test. One sniff and I can tell the real thing from some kind of imitation.”
“Okay, then what?”
“The final test is taste.”
“Taste?”
“Yup. We put our tongue on it and then try to remember what the taste was of a one-carat treasure.”
“Since I found it, shouldn’t I be the one to determine if it’s genuine?”
“Usually, but I have more experience and can be very objective.”
“Alright, I trust you. Go ahead and tell me if it is genuine.”
“Umm smells right.
“Uh huh.”
“Feels smooth on the tooth.”
“So far, so good.”
“Yum tastes like I remember.”
“Hey, don’t eat the whole thing.”
“Eh, what’s up, Doc. By the way, caret is spelled carrot. Have a nice day.”
Fiction Favorites 
I expect an anvil to land on the carrot thief. It’s how the universe works.
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Ha ha ha .
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I can’t believe he ate the whole thing. [sort of like a specy-spicy meatball commercial!)
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He ate it, Ralph.
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At least the finder can take joy in the finding.
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hahah! Fooled again! John–this was the best!
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Thank you, Lois. Gad you liked it.
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🙂 🙂 🙂
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😊
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You get me every time, John, lol.
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So glad. Thanks, Teri.
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Ha-ha…very clever, John. Love these Tuesday surprises. 😄
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Thank you, Gwen. I like writing them.
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You definitely fooled me there, John! Very, very good.
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Terrific. Love doing that.
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I was thinking “rabbit” when I read your first “carat,” but of course I wasn’t sure until I’d reached the end. Well played, good sir. Well played!
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Thank you, Debbie. So glad you liked it.
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Love how you bring us along, each of us trying to guess at what the twist will be. Somehow, carrot was far from my mind! As always, you know how to bring a smile to our faces!
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I’m so glad. We all need more smiles. Thank you for letting me know you received one.
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That we do and you are excellent at providing
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Aw. You are the best
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🤗
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😊
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lol You landed on a good one and turned it into a funny one! 👍🏻
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My day is complete. Thank you, Michele.
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😃
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🙂 My emojis are on the fritz.
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They must be on vacation.
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They are back 😀
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🙌🏻🤩
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🤭
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I was guessing a gold nugget, but then it was just a carrot.
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To a rabbit, it is a gold nugget.
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Yes you are right
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🙂
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Great, John, so imaginative!
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Thank you, Tim. So glad you liked it.
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I was reading along and I knew it wasn’t what you wanted me to think it was but I really had no idea WHAT it was. So I guess you Bugsed me!
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Ha ha ha. Love that – Bugsed me.
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Is there a Doc in the house?
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😀
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LOL
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Like carrots! 🙂 Best wishes, Michael
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Thank you, Michael.
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Haha! You had me, John.
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Always a good thing, Jennie. 😊
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Yes, and you do it well. 😀
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😀
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Hahaha! I kept waiting to see where this was going. Great job, John.
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Thank you, Monika. Glad you liked it.
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I didn’t see that coming and I grew up with Bugs Bunny! 😆
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This one was pretty subtle.
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