Today I randomly opened Detour on the Eternal Road to page 93 and closed my eyes. I pointed to the page, and the word “fodder” was closest to my finger. That is our prompt today.
Fodder by John W. Howell ©2026
“So what do you think, Captain?”
“I’d say we are going to have a tough time, General.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Well, the terrain is not conducive to cover, for one thing.”
“And?”
“That open field will be tough to cross without being seen.”
“I guess that’s true.”
“One more thing.”
“Yes, Captain.”
“We are going to take a lot of casualties to get to the objective.”
“Is there a way to reduce those?”
“Short of sending a phalanx to act as cannon fodder to save the rest, I don’t see how.”
“So you think sacrificing troops upfront could save the rest?”
“Well, sir, there is only so much spray in that can. If I know the enemy, he will panic at the sight of thousands of bees, drop the can, and run. Of course, this will be after he tries to defend himself.”
“I think that may work. What’s to guarantee he won’t return?”
“There is no guarantee, but next time we’ll be ready”
“Okay, Captain. Let’s do it.”
Had me thinking Gettysburg only to find out it was my backyard. Only you, John, only you. Excellent!
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