Today I randomly opened Eternal Road – The Final Stop to page 189. With my eyes closed, I pointed to the page. The word closest to my finger was “appreciate.” This is our prompt today.
Appreciate by John W. Howell © 2026
“I appreciate you.”
“Oh sure. That’s an easy thing to say.”
“I really mean it.”
“I doubt that.”
“Why?”
“If you appreciated me, you wouldn’t treat me so badly.”
“Oh, come on. I’m not treating you badly on purpose.”
“Okay, so you will admit that you are treating me badly.”
“I guess on a specific case basis it would appear that I’m not treating you with the utmost kindness.”
“So why say you appreciated me?”
“Cause I do. I’m very grateful that you are here.”
“Why is that?”
“I’m an osprey, and you’re a fish. What’s not to appreciate?”
“Sheesh. What a life.”
I guessed preying mantis, so you got me.
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That is a good one. I ca see some discussion around “You know George, you would lose your head if it wasn’t attached.”
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That was a curveball. I appreciate how you keep us on our toes with these Tuesday tales. 😉
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The gray matter needs stimulation to keep us all sharp. (mainly me) 😄
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Hahahaha!
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😄
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That was a long block to walk to get to that ending. I had no idea at all on where you were going.
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Well, that is the whole idea. Here, have a seat and take a rest.
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It’s like being nice to your waiter.
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Ha ha ha. So true.
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So funny! I forgot to guess. I read along, thinking it was two humans talking. The story works whether the narrators are human or an osprey and a fish 😄
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Thanks, Marie.
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haha! This was a fun one. And caught me totally off guard! Fun, John.
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Glad you liked it, Lois.
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Yes, the osprey sure appreciates a good meal! It’s surprising to me that the fish is still alive, John,
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What can I say, Tim? Poetic license, I suppose.
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I suppose, John. 😊
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😊
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Yikes! (If you’re the fish anyhow.) I didn’t expect that one, John. 🙂
That’s a great passage in your book too. Hugs.
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Thank you, Teagan. Yes, if you are a fish, it is nice to be appreciated, but maybe it is better not to be.
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Ha…that took a turn I wasn’t expecting. Great job, John.
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Thank you, Monika. 😊
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Makes sense to me.
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Ha ha ha. Thanks, Jan.
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I guessed some kind of predator and prey, but I didn’t know which ones.
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Thank you, Liz.
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You’re welcome, John.
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😄
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Hahaha, this made me laugh.. really a great way to appreciate as you gulp down the fish.. hahaha..
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Thank you, Cindy.
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The fish died a hero.
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Appreciated at least. Thanks, Pete
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I have to admit that was a hilarious dialogue.
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Thank you, Thomas.
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