In Keith’s words.

“Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put your offering (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before Sunday evening UK time. If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next time.”

The photo.

Lovers by John W. Howell © 2022

“Why are you so slow?”

“I’m not slow. I just don’t have long legs like you.”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“I need to take three or four steps just to match your one.”

“You sound like a cry baby.”

“I’m just stating facts, is all. You asked why I was so slow.”

“Yeah, and all I get is excuses. Come on, man up, and let’s get going. There is a whole meadow to explore.”

“Man up, you say? I wish I could do that, and then I would walk your socks off.”

“Well, that’s not going to happen, at least in this life.”

“I have to wonder why you keep me around when doing so is so annoying to you.”

“Oh, here we go with the psych 101.”

“I’m serious. You and I are so different.”

“Sounds like you want to break up.”

“No, not at all. But you always seem so grumpy. I’m just wondering if it is me.”

“No, my precious, it is not you. I have a lot on my mind, is all.”

“Like what?”

“Like the upright farmer wanting to spray for ants.”

“What? I never heard that.”

“I heard him talking to his mate, so it worries me.”

“You worried? How about me? If he sprays, I’m a goner.”

“Don’t say that. We can figure something out.”

“Why I let you talk me into a relationship, I’ll never know. If it weren’t for you, I would be out in that field on a hill of my own. ‘Come live with me,’ you said. ‘It will be fun, you said.'”

“Hasn’t it been fun?”

“You know it has.”

“We can go away. Start a new life.”

“An ant and a dog? How far do you think we would get until someone decides we don’t belong together?”

“There’s no laws against an ant and a dog.”

“Yet.”

“Come on. Hop up here, and let’s make some time.”

“You are the best.”

“For you I am.”

“Silver-tongued devil.”

In Keith’s words. “Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph (If you are curious about what we were photographing, it was the sun beginning to set over one of the domes of the mosque adjacent to the Taj Mahal. Click here to see my effort). Either put your offering (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before Sunday evening UK time. If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next time.”

The photo.

That Thing by John W. Howell © 2022

“What is that thing?”

“I wish I knew. I want a photo of it, though.”

“Yeah, Me too.”

“What if it comes this way?”

“I would not wait for a second shot.”

“All those people are beginning to run.”

“I see that. Might be time to move too.”

“Come on. Just a few more.”

“One question.”

“Yeah, what?”

“What’s the use of taking photos if we don’t know what it is?”

“We may be able to figure it out later.”

“Wait. I think it is coming into view. The smoke has cleared, and I think I can make it out.”

“Quick, tell me.”

“Keep snapping. This is going to be great.”

“I’ve seen that thing before.”

“You sure have. We saw it in Ghost Busters.”

“It’s the Stay Puft marshmallow man.”

“And he’s coming this way. We are going to be famous.”

“Stay out from underfoot.”

“Time to move. Why am I thinking of Hersey chocolate and gram crackers right now?”

“Forget smores and run.”

“After you.”

In Keith’s words.

“Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.combefore 6pm on Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next time.”

The photo.

Sale Today by John W. Howell © 2022

The morning paper has an ad that is hard to ignore. The headline reads;  Estate Sale Camelot Castle – Everything Must go.

Further down is a description of the items being offered. Reading the list makes attendance mandatory.

For sale: Large round table reportedly used for meetings and late-night dinners. A sword still in its original stone. Antique chairs, tapestries, beds, tables, and sideboards too numerous to mention and detail. Two crowns (One king-sized and one queen-sized) 12 suits of armor size 38 regular, (Some polishing needed), chainmail, Longbows, crossbows, broad swords, spears, lances, maces, daggers, and knives. Wagons, tumbrels, horse halters, saddles, and feed bags. Cauldrons, catapults, rocks. Antique goblets, tableware, pewter forks. Original candelabras, sconces, and torches. Complete magician’s kit including, hex instructions, hat, and powders. 

Refreshments available for purchase, major credit cards honored, all sales final.

Want to go with me?

In Keith’s words.

“Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm on Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next time.”

The Photo.

The Gambet by John W. Howell © 2020

“Trevor, listen to me.”

“What?”

“I’m grinning like an idiot, and the human is eating it up.”

“Yeah, so?”

“So? You dope. Now’s the time for our break.”

“What break?”

“Remember you were complaining about how you are being treated?”

“I always do that. When exactly?”

“Last night, right after you were sent to bed without a biscuit.”

“I had every right.”

“Of course you did. So that’s why I’m saying while I have this two-legger mesmerized, you go open the door.”

“Open the door? Why?”

“So we can make a run for it.”

“Then live on the streets?”

“Yeah, a couple of crazy guys living the free life.”

“Two problems with that.”

“Tell me.”

“Number one, I don’t have an opposable thumb, so I can’t open the door.”

“We can work that out. What’s the other?”

“It’s raining.”

“A little water never hurt.”

“And cold.”

“My goodness. Where’s your adventurous spirit?”

“Let me remind you, it’s almost dinner time.”

“Alright then. You come grin, and I’ll make a getaway.”

“I’ll be happy to take your food portion too.”

“Wait a minute. Who said you could do that?”

“I’m just saying. Once you’re gone, the uprights will continue to moan and groan and put your food down, hoping you’ll come back.”

“I see what you’re saying.”

“So?”

“I think I’ll sit up. That’s usually a game-changer.”

“You go, boy.”

In Keith’s words. “Using this photo (below)as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm on Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next time.”

The Photo.

The Box by John W. Howell © 2022

“Well, boys, I never expected this.”

“Oh, Sir. You deserve a surprise.”

“Since I’m leaving the school, it was nice of you to think of me.”

“We have thought of you every day, Sir.”

“How lovely. Hear that, staff. These boys have me in high esteem.”

“I would say we constantly have you in mind, Sir.”

“That is so nice. By the way, why did you insist that this be opened out of doors?”

“The sentiment contained inside need not be confined by restricted space, Sir.”

“I am overcome with such a kind thought. I hope you didn’t spend a lot of money on this.”

“No, Sir. That is a natural gift, and we made it ourselves.”

“Even better, boys.”

“Yes, Sir. A couple of servings of toast and beans, and we were all set.”

“Oh, your lunch before you made the gift?”

“Yes, Sir. Seems you are having difficulty opening that.”

“Yes, quite.”

“We wrapped it quite well so the surprise would not be given away before its time. Maybe a pocket knife would help.”

“Do you have one?”

“Not with us. We will be right back.”

“Look at those boys. It just makes your heart sing with such dedication. Do you smell that? I say, check your shoes, will you, chaps?

In Keith’s words.

“Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm on Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next time.”

The photo.

A Walk by John W. Howell © 2022

“Look at the beautiful flowers.”

“I see them. Daisies are my favorite too.”

“I like them as well.”

“Why are we walking on this path, Mama?”

“We need to get some fresh air and look for a nice spot to rest.”

“What was wrong with our old spot?”

“Didn’t you hear all that noise?”

“Yes, but we have heard it before.”

“This was different. There were saws and big machines.”

“What does that mean, Mama?”

“That the world as we know it is changing.”

“Why does it change?”

“I don’t have a good answer. People call it progress.”

“But why did we leave, and are we going back?”

“We left my child, so you can grow up big and strong with fresh air and good food.”

“What about going back?”

“That is impossible, I’m afraid. Those saws and machines destroyed our forest, so we have nothing back there.”

“What about Papa?”

“He’s going to meet us at the new place.”

“That’s good to hear, Mama. How about my friends?”

“The herd decided to move as well. So all the does and fawns will be there too.”

“You mean it? That’s swell.”

“So it will be a new life for us all. Look, baby. There’s a butterfly.”

In Keith’s words.

“Using this photo (below)  as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm on Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next time.”

The photo.

Partners by John W. Howell © 2022

“What’re we going to do with this thing?”

“You’ve got to be kidding?”

“Just asking.”

“We will go by the humans, and each of us will have a hold of the stick.”

“Seems kind of dumb.”

“Says you. You know those humans are suckers for cute.”

“If you say so.”

“Here’s the thing. You the big brute and I the wiley terrier come walking along with this stick, and the cuteness factor will go off the charts with those humans.”

“I still don’t get it.”

“Can you say treats?”

“Huh?”

“Yeah, when they see us doing the partner thing on this stick, they’ll turn over chairs running for the cameras and treats.”

“How long do we have to do this?”

“Couple of minutes tops.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

“So, you can let go of the stick till we get closer.”

“What do you mean?”

“I got the stick. You can let go.”

“Um. I don’t think so.”

“Why not?”

“You said it yourself. Wiley terrier.”

“We are partners.”

“Sure we are.”

“You imply I can’t be trusted.”

“Not an implication. More like fact.”

“That hurts.”

“Not the first time. I’m sure.”

“Let go.”

“No.”