Today, I randomly opened Detour on the Eternal Road to page 137. With eyes closed, I pointed to the page. The word closest to my finger is “floor.” This is our prompt.
Floor by John W. Howell © 2025
“Not sure I can do it.”
“Oh, come on. I’ve done it a thousand times.”
“Yeah, but you’re older.”
“That has nothing to do with it.”
“Does so. You have experience.”
“Well, I think I have taught you everything you need to know.”
“But that was all theoretical stuff. This is the real thing.”
“Maybe your nerves are taking over. I’m telling you, if you follow my instructions, it will be a snap.”
“Why do I have to do it anyway?”
“Because I can’t keep living your life. You need to be able to take care of yourself.”
“That is a long stretch of openness.”
“I’ll give it to you. From here, that floor looks pretty foreboding. Trust me, once you get running, you’ll be in the kitchen in no time.”
“I’ll be safe there, right?”
“Under the stove, remember.”
“Lots of crumbs and no cat.”
“You got it.”
“One more thing.”
“Yes?”
“What if there is a trap under there?”
“Oh, please. What have I said about traps?”
“Don’t touch ’em.”
“Right. Now get going. You are a mouse and you’ve got this.”
“See you on the other side.”
“That’s my boy.”
Fiction Favorites 
Dear John
Hard life being a mouse.
Wishing you a happy day
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is plenty to worry about for sure. Thanks F4oC and happy day to you as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve always felt badly for mice. They get trashed by us. We make references like “meek as a mouse” when in reality, these little bastards are thugs. Mice life is no joke.
LikeLiked by 3 people
No joke at all. If you think of their size, it seems the world is out to get them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Seriously. And yet, the little bastids carry on.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They certainly do.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good advice, but not all kids or mice listen very well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true, GP. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Woo hoo for me! I read ‘cat’ and thought ‘mouse.’ But what does that really say about me? 😹Good one, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmmm. Let me think about that for a minute. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good one, John. Yes, a lesson given doesn’t mean it was learned.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true, Tim. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Behind the fridge is safer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not as fruitful, though.
LikeLike
Because you usually include animals, I had already guessed mouse from the clues before you actually told us. Hope you enjoyed the crumbs and cheese 🍕
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad you guessed. Thanks, Pat.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🐭🐭🐭
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I absolutely thought it was a cockroach!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ew. I don’t even like to write about those things.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Life is sooooo much easier when we can see those traps ahead and steer our course away from them, John. Ah, but the best laid plans…😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, best laid plans, Bruce. Thanks for the lovely comment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Right now I have nothing g good to say about them infesting my barn and wiring but at least it’s not the house!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Need a few Top Cat feeder stations in the barn. (Pet safe)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Do you have any you recommend? I’m not having much luck so far.
🥹
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tom Cat Feeders. The mice come in and eat the bait. Pets can’t get in.https://tomcatbrand.com/en-us/shop/rat/tomcat-rat-and-mouse-killer-child-and-dog-resistant-refillable-station/0370910
LikeLike
I thought it was a cockroach until I read ‘cat’. Fun story, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Esther. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol! Sometimes you’ve just gotta take that leap of faith! 🙂 Love it, John!
LikeLike
Eek!!! And just think: this is the time of year when they
LikeLiked by 1 person
🐀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oops, hit the comment button before I was finished. Here’s what I meant to say: This is the time of year when they want to get inside where it’s warm. Kitchens are usually warm. Having a fast cat might be the answer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A fast cat would do the job, I’m sure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
‘Knock on wood,’ since we moved to Arizona, I’ve not seen a mouse anywhere–and we don’t have a cat. Of course, there are lots of other creatures that mice may not like–ravens, hawks, and just about everyone has at least one dog. 😄 Cute story, John. Well done!
LikeLike
First I thought ants, then I thought roaches, then mice!
LikeLike
Well done, John. I hope the little guy can scoot.
LikeLike
Safety under the oven. It sounds good, but the journey is the adventure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. Big plane to cross
LikeLiked by 1 person
Uh-oh…sounds ominous with a not-so-great outcome. Poor little guy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think he made it to the stove. A large crumb was his reward. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
So long as it was his only reward. 😉 Life as a mouse can be short and rough.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, very rough. Best to stay out in the woods. Not as warm but certainly safer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is a funny story. It brings my mind to Tom and Jerry. I hope the little mouse will make it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He got there okay. Big crumb as a reward.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is good to know
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
John, as a mouse, an experienced mouse to boot, what is the trap that you fear the most?
LikeLiked by 1 person
It has to be the Victor Four-Way trap with peanut butter. It is so difficult to get the peanut butter without springing the trap. All the while, the nerves cause one to not enjoy the peanut butter as much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, I am heading to Home Depot today. Might be worth looking for even just to satisfy my curiosity.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes indeed. Take a look.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well done, John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jennie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person