Another great prompt by Keith Channing. In his words. “Using this photo as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; and either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithkreates@channing.fr before 6pm next 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 – pingbacks don’t work.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries, with links to your own blog or

The Photo

Balloon Ride by John W. Howell © 2016

“So tell me again why we don’t have a seat in the gondola.”

“The story won’t change.”

“I want to hear it again. Maybe I will understand it if I hear it enough times.”

“Okay. I bought the tickets from a guy on the street.”

“Oh yes. First smart move.”

“May I continue?”

“Please do.”

“He was willing to sell them at half off.”

“You forgot the sick wife part.”

“I didn’t think you wanted to hear that again.”

“Please go through each detail.”

“Okay so he had a sick wife and they couldn’t make the trip.”

“And the tickets were half off.”

“Yes.”

“Go on.”

“You know when we got to the balloon launch site our tickets were for the observation section of the balloon.”

“Yes, the only two seats in the observation section.”

“So what is so bad?”

“Tell me you enjoy sitting up here, holding on for dear life. This is on top of the actual balloon for heaven’s sake.”

“The view is great.”

“Try to let go and take a picture why don’t you?”

“Well okay. I see your point.”

“I’ll bet the landing will be tons of fun. Can’t wait till they deflate the balloon so we can get down.”

“Yes, my love.”