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 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.

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

The photo.

The Job by John W. Howell © 2021

“Would you look at that.”

“What the mess?”

“No, the dog.”

“What about him.”

“He’s sound asleep there.”

“Yeah, so what?”

“I hired him to empty all those boxes.”

“Well obviously he is not doing the job you hired him to do.”

“That’s obvious.”

“How much are you paying him?”

“$14.00 an hour.”

“Doesn’t seem like you are getting your money’s worth.”

“No kidding. What should I do?”

“Why don’t you hire him to sleep? I think you can get him at a cheaper rate.”

“I guess it’s my fault in the end.”

“Why’s that?”

“I should never have hired a dog to do a man’s work.”

“You open to being a little more broad minded?”

“What do you mean?”

“You said ‘man’s work.'”

“Yeah,so what?”

“Could a woman do the same work?”

“Sure.”

“You still paying $14.00 an hour?”

“I would like to, yes.”

“You just found the dog’s replacement. When can I start?”

“How about now?”

“Can’t.”

“Why not?”

“Need a nap.”

“Off the clock?”

“What are you paying the dog?”

“haven’t decided yet.”

“When you do I’ll nap at the same price. See ya.”

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 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.

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

The Photo.

Picture This by John W. Howell © 2021

‘Why did we come to this desolate field?”

“You know very well that we are waiting for the arrival of the great eagle.”

“yes, so when is he getting here?”

“Should be any hour now.”

“Hour. You have got to be kidding. We have been here since sunup already.”

“Hush now. Why don’t you entertain yourself.”

“I didn’t bring any bourbon, that’s why.”

“My goodness, someone got up on the wrong side of the bed today.”

“It was so dark I think I lost my bearings.”

“Well, look around and tell a story about what you see.”

“Okay. Better than dying here, I suppose.”

“That’s my man.”

“Look to the left. I think someone hung their dog costume on the fence post. You have to wonder why a dog costume.”

“That’s funny. Keep going.”

“Look at the giant. I wonder what shoe size he takes?”

“Good.”

“I think we should have those bald guys put on a hat. The glare is starting to hurt my eyes.”

“You’re on a roll.”

“Check out the ape in the clouds. Looks like he might be doing a high dive into a pool.”

“Never would have seen that.”

“To the left again. The biggest crow I’ve ever seen. Hope there is some corn around her.”

“That’s no crow. It’s the eagle.”

“Yay. We came, we saw, we joked. Can we go home now?”

“Hold on. Let’s see if he flys this way. Darn, he went behind the tree.”

“Shy, I suppose. I don’t blame him. Who would want to approach a gang of humans anyway?”

“These are all conservationists.”

“Especially on conserving water and soap. Downwind is a good place.”

“You are bad.”

“Dang 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 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.

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

The photo

Cheeto by John W. Howell ©2021

“Hey you.”

“Who me?”

“Yeah you with the Cheeto.”

“Cheeto?”

“Yeah in your beak. A Cheeto.”

“It’s a mayfly.”

“What’s a mayfly?”

“In my beak. A mayfly.”

“Looks like a Cheeto to me.”

“What’s a Cheeto anyway.”

“Cheese corn puff.”

“Did you say cheese?”

“Yeah.”

“Where do I get some?”

“In the store.”

“What’s a store?”

“Where people buy stuff.”

“That’s that then.”

“What?”

“I stay away from people.”

“Why?”

“They might take my mayfly.”

“Trust me people don’t like flies.”

“They haven’t tried a mayfly then. By the way, what did you want?”

“I thought if you talked, you would drop the mayfly and it would be mine.”

“Not a chance. I can talk with a mayfly in my beak all day long.”

“So your mom never taught you not to talk with your mouth full?”

“No but she did teach me one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“How to take out the eye of a fresh talking stranger.”

“See ya.”

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 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.

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

The photo.

The Speech by John W. Howell © 2021

“Ladies and gentlemen, if I could have your attention.”

Oh no. Another speech.

“I promise this won’t take long.”

Yeah, like an afternoon.

“On this special day, I just want to make a few comments.”

Special in his mind. It’s just a damn picnic with baloney sandwiches and no beer 

“You all know how much I admire and respect each one of you.”

Uh-oh. Here it comes.

“I want to take this time to thank you for your hard work and dedication.”

When they thank us, they have screwed us.

“So it gives me great pleasure to announce that my son Boris will be joining the company.”

Oh, good, another family member to train.

“Boris will be taking over the position of President and Chief Operating Officer.”

At least he can’t do any harm there.

“In conclusion.”

Yay

“I hope you’ll all give Boris your support and help.”

Sure will, boss. Hey Boris, I would love to help you out. Which way did you come in? Heh, heh.

“Let’s continue on with the picnic, and here’s to a better tomorrow.”

“Oh, do we get the day off tomorrow?”

“Who said that?”

Shit, was that my out-loud voice?

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 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 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 Monday.”

The photo.

Directions by John W. Howell © 2021

“Yes, ma’am, I’m on duty today.”

“Where are the guards?”

“Guards, ma’am?”

“Yes, you know, with the big furry hats and red coats.”

“As far as I know, we have had no such guards here.”

“But all the travel brochures have them pictured. Here look.”

“I see. They do look rather disciplined.”

“I’ve traveled a long way, had to test negative on covid, and was quarantined for 14 days, and now I want to see them.”

“I can understand.”

“So where are they.”

“My guess would be Kensington Palace.”

“Isn’t that where I am?”

“No, ma’am. This is not Kensington Palace.”

“Oh dear, I’m so sorry. I guess I got my directions wrong.”

“No worries, ma’am, it happens to all of us.”

“Can you give me directions to Kensington palace?”

“Well, I can give you general directions. Then you can get more specific when you get closer.”

“How far away am I?”

“Are you driving?”

“Yes, I have rented a car.”

“It is about five and one-half hours.”

“Five and one-half hours? I could be to Paris in five and one-half hours.”

“Um, ma’am.”

“Yes, young man.”

“You are in Paris.”

“Wait. What?”

“You are in Paris. ma’am.”

“I can’t imagine how I got here.”

“I would say via route 1A.”

“It did seem like a long time to get here. I asked the nice young man at the hotel desk for directions. He wrote them down for me.”

“Let me see them.”

“Here.”

“Ah yes. I see the problem.”

“You do?”

“The directions to Kensington Palace were written on a paper that also has directions to Paris on the back.”

“And I got the wrong side.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Still have to wonder how that can happen?”

“We will probably never know.”

“It could have been when I took a nap.”

“Nap?”

“Yes, I rented a Tesla, and it had an autopilot feature. I turned it on and then got into the backseat for a nap. I guess I slept too long. Darned jet lag anyway.”

“You are lucky to be here, ma’am.”

“Oh, I don’t know.”

“Ma’am?”

“Would have rather gone to Kensington Palace.”