Today I opened Eternal Road – The final stop randomly to page 275. I closed my eyes and pointed to the page. The word nearest my finger was “crying.” This is our prompt today.
Crying by John W. Howell © 2025
“Why are you crying?”
“Do I know you?”
“No, but I couldn’t help but notice that you are upset.”
“If so, then maybe you will leave me alone.”
“Well, okay. I just thought if you were in trouble, I could help.”
“I’m not in trouble, and I don’t think you can help.”
“Very well. I’ll just go.”
“Oh, wait. I’m being very rude. I’m sorry.”
“There’s nothing to be sorry about.”
“You were trying to be kind, and I was very ungrateful.”
“I could see that something was bothering you. It’s okay.”
“Can I tell you something?”
“Only if you want to.”
“My memory is not what it used to be.”
“That happens as we get older. I have the same problem.”
“You do? You look so young, I never could have guessed.”
“Why, thank you, but I can assure you looks are deceiving.”
“So is your forgetting serious?”
“Not really. Pretty classic. Go into a room and forget why kind of stuff.”
“I think mine is more severe.”
“Tell me. What have you forgotten?”
“I found this big walnut last week.”
“Yes.”
“I forgot where I buried it.”
“For heaven’s sake. That happens to me all the time.”
“It does?”
“Sure, I’ll stuff my cheeks with nuts and then run around and hide them only to forget where.”
“Wow. That makes me feel better.”
“Ah, yes. Don’t worry about it. When the snow comes, you’ll be able to sniff out your hidden treasures.”
“You have helped me. You want to chase me up that tree?”
“Be happy to do that. I’ll give you until the count of three.”
Fiction Favorites 
Love the nuts twist, John! 🤩 I read somewhere recently that the amount of lost nuts from squirrels helps keep the trees propagating—I do enjoy learning new stuff. Your fun little conversation reminded me of that little snippet. Thanks for sharing and have a good week 😊💗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Harmony. So lovely to know you enjoyed my silliness. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol, love the twist John… and you be careful up those trees hugsx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha ha. I will watch my step and try, and keep those nuts in my cheeks.😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
lol xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s the daily grind around this place John. I laugh when they bury them in the area that I’ll be blowing the snow into a pile over. “You’ll find that one in March, if you’re lucky.” Now, where’s that cup of coffee I poured…oh yeah, I left it in the kitchen.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have double-sided cups for the very reason you mentioned. There it is and still warm.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loved this one. Really got me with the twist.
LikeLiked by 1 person
To catch you is a day maker. Thanks for letting me know.
LikeLike
I bought a bag of walnuts the other day. Where the heck is it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Look under the sod in the backyard. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kind of a squirrelly story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes very. Especially with the typo on the title. (fixed)
LikeLike
Great imaginative post, John. It makes me wonder how old squirrels are when they get that symptom.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hard to know, but interesting question. Thanks, Tim
LikeLiked by 1 person
So this is what they’re taking about when they’re running all over my backyard! Fun conversation, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, that’s it, Lois 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hadn’t a clue until you got to the nut! Our squirrels suffer from the same mental lapses – they bury peanuts in our flower beds and then dig all over the place looking for them now that it’s winter. A great way to aerate the beds!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ours do the same thing, Noelle.
LikeLike
No wonder the little buggers are constantly collecting. They figure they’re going to forget where they put two thirds of them anyways!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Called overkill to offset memory issues.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Uh huh 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wonder what percentage of their hidden nuts they find! Or possibly, they find what others have hidden and it all works out in the end. Always so much fun these!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Too bad we can’t do a survey. I’m betting one buried nut is just like the other. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can just see it now: That was my hiding place! Get outta here!
LikeLike
Wilson wishes the furry hoodlums had less memory cells. They may forget where they put stuff but they never forget his floody face {insert jaws of death}.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mrs. Squirrel didn’t raise no dumb kids on that front.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😍
LikeLike
cute squirrel talk
LikeLike
Poor squirrels! I find nuts in the oddest places in my garden.
LikeLike
It took me a while to figure out we’re talking about squirrels. Your story reminds me of when our dog (Mr. Johnson) buried a piece of cheese under a bridge in White River, Vermont. The next month, we came back to the same place, but he couldn’t find the buried cheese, alas.
LikeLike
It’s wonderful that you turn your original novel into more creativity. 👍🏻How do they keep track! 🐿️
LikeLike
The squirrels here definitely talk to one another, and immediately forget what they said to each other. They are nuts, but we love watching them do whatever they think they are doing, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like your summary, Bruce.😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
The blessings of squirrel forgetfulness. It was a fun story,
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Thomas.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha, I wasn’t expecting that ending. We have lots of squirrels around here and yes, they do talk to each other.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I believe ours do too. Thanks, Stevie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was curious to see what animal was gracing your page today, John. The squirrel is perfect, and I don’t want to talk about that memory thingy. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know what you mean, Jan. 😀 Mum’s the word.
LikeLike