Today I randomly opened Eternal Road – The final stop to page 131. With eyes closed, I pointed to the page. The word closest to my finger is “compliment.” That is our prompt today.
Compliment by John W. Howell © 2026
“You look gorgeous.”
“Why, thank you. That is a nice compliment.”
“I mean it. What are you all gussied up for?”
“I have some plans for tonight.”
“Oh, do tell. Well, I’m heading out to our favorite place.”
“Our favorite watering hole, you mean.”
“Yes, you can call it that.”
“Then what?”
“Then what. I’m going to dance with every lady I meet.”
“Pretty sure of yourself, aren’t we?”
“Look at me. Don’t you think I should be sure?”
“Okay. You’re right. So after the dancing, what?”
“You have to ask?”
“I suppose not. What if there is one of these bullies who gets jealous?”
“I’m sure I can handle myself.”
“Sure, you don’t need a friend to go along?”
“No offense, but a hyena does not exactly instill the idea of romance.”
“No offense taken. You cheetas are pretty much loaners anyway.”
“Okay then. Wish me luck.”
“I don’t think luck has anything to do with it.”
“Right you are.”
Fiction Favorites 
Haha! All gussied up to partay!
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It looks like it. Thanks, Dale. 😊
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🙂 Cheetah is such a lovely look.
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It is. Goes with everything.
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It does!
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Unusual species meet up
. Would not have expected those two.
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They live on the same block. Thanks, Pat.
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Sort of like puma and panther in the same household.
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That’s it.
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😁👍💯
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Great post, John! It’s very nice to see those two species being friendly. 😊
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In my world, they all get along. Thanks, Tim.
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😊
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Good luck to determined suitor.
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Maybe someone should warn the ladies. 😀
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‘all gussied up’… I love the way that sounds. Oooh, that animal magnetism!
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Yes indeed. Thank you, Lois. 😀
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Poor hyena. Shut out from the party.
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Laughs at the wrong time.
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I didn’t guess either hyena or cheeta!
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Well, I didn’t give many clues either.
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True. 🙂
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😊
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Poor hyena, but that’s why you get when you walk around dragging your butt on the ground…and you expect an invite!🐳
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Yup. Gotta keep your butt in the air.
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For some reason I had visions of the savanna and you didn’t disappoint, John. Well done!
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Thank you, Monika. I had the same visions. 🐆
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I figured you were somewhere in Africa from the words watering hole. I figured an elephant wouldn’t be a good dancer, so I was flummoxed from there.
My vision of cheetahs is from when we passed by two sleeping in a tree when we were in Kenya.
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You never disappoint, John.. lol 😂
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Thank you, Cindy. 😀
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Ha! That is an unlikely pair. 😁 Good one, John. Thanks for the grin.
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Thank you, Jan. Glad you liked it.
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Another good one, John. I hope the party hosts are serving food.
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I’m sure they are.
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Yes bringing a Hyena buddy on a cheetah date does not sound like a good idea.
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No, it does not. Thanks, Thomas.
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