Today I randomly opened Eternal Road – The Final Stop to page 143 and, with my eyes closed, pointed to the page. “Direct ” is the word closest to my finger. That is our prompt today.
Direct by John W. Howell © 2026
“Okay, you men, listen up.”
“Yes, sir.”
“This next mission is going to be a tough one. I’ll need every one of you to do your best. Any questions?”
“Sir?”
“Yes, Jones.”
“You indicated that the plan is an all-out direct assault.”
“That’s right.”
“That’s going to be costly in terms of casualties.”
“We all signed up for that, Jones.”
“I know, sir, but I have an idea.”
“Oh, do tell.”
“Instead of a direct assault, we break up into groups and hit the target from several angles.”
“Hmm. Tell me more.”
“Well, in that way we neutralize the threat and at least save some of the troops for a later engagement should it be needed.”
“Are you sure separate attacks will neutralize the threat?”
“I have seen these kinds of attacks before. The enemy comes in with bravado and even killer gas. After a couple of hits, they pull back immediately. Deep down, they are very soft.”
“I must say you have seen more action than I have. Okay, let’s go with your plan. Okay, everyone, you heard it. We are going to attack the enemy in groups. Simpson, you and your troops are group one. Jones, you are group two. Kawolski, group three. Here are the targets. Any other questions?”
“Sir.”
“Yes, Kawolski.”
“What if this dope doesn’t retreat?”
“Just have your troops keep biting. Remember, you are fire ants, and those tall ones can’t stand for long. Besides, your target is the ankle, and that is the tender zone.”
Brilliant twist, John! You had me completely invested in the military strategy, and then the fire ant reveal made me laugh. Clever, unexpected, and perfectly delivered. Great use of the prompt! 😂🐜
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Thank you, Mihran. So glad you enjoyed it. 😄
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This was such a fantastic twist, John! You had me entirely convinced this was a gritty tactical briefing right up until the mention of biting ankles! The line about ‘those tall ones’ and targeting the tender zone had me laughing out loud. I completely agreed with mihrankalaydjianblog—that transition from military bravado to fire ant strategy was brilliantly written and perfectly delivered. Another awesome Finger Point Prompt!
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Thank you, Prateek. Always enjoy your comments. 😄
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You’re welcome John ☺️☺️
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Those things are a menace. Saw them a few times in Florida. Steered clear.
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Yes. The best way to handle them. 😊
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Amazing ankle attack by the fire ants, John!
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Thanks, Tim. 😄
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You’re welcome, John. 😊
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😊
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A good one! I was thinking mosquitoes, but those fire ants…they are awful!
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They sure are. Mosquitoes would have been good, too.
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Thanks for clarifying the animals this time. Makes it easier on the readers.
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Yeah but less fun fooling some of the people some of the time.
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I was NOT expecting fire ants! Please do not let them get this organised in real life 🙂 Such fabulous imagination you have.
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Thank you, Dale. Around here, I think they are this organized. 😄
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Hahaha! Yikes!
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😊
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It isn’t an army of fire ants, but there’s at least one group of something that hangs out in our front flower bed which has an appetite for my legs. Been an on-and-off thing for a few years now. I don’t care for wearing long pants in the summer, but me thinks the time has come. From this post, I now envision them laughing each time I wander in there with shorts on.
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Their scouts give them the “tall legs” signal, and they are waiting.
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Drat, I was thinking wasps. I’ve had several unpleasant encounters with fire ants, and I would retreat after the first bite!
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Me too. Color me gone.
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I’d fall back, might not even wait for the attack.
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Me too. They can have whatever it is.
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I love it when you tell stories like this one!
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Thank you, Jim.
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Yikes, definitely did not expect fire ants. You got me good…hopefully without any waves by those nasty buggers. Well done, John.
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Yes, I hope so too. Thanks, Monika
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I was thinking ants, but not fire ants. I’ve been bitten once, and it was excruciating!
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Yikes!! Fire ants are the worst and they certainly do keep biting. 😁
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I never had experience with them until I moved to Texas. Nothing is more fun than unknowingly standing on a mound.
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Yikes! I’d be out of there in one bite.
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Me too. 😄
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Hahahaha! Clever Boss, very clever.
I wonder if fire ants could be used to guard properties?
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Yes indeed. The only problem would be that they’ll turn on you.
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Good one, John. I was thinking along the same lines as Noelle—wasps or bees.
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They are good, too. Thanks, Pete.
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Fire ants can drop people to their knees. Those bites are no joke.
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They are no joke. Thanks, Laura.
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