Here are Keith’s words. “Using this photo (Below) 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 often 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 web site, next Monday.”

The photo.

The Gift by John W. Howell © 2016

“I love imported gifts. So you say my present is hand-made in England.”

“Yes, and I’m not going to tell you any more about it.”

“Aw come on. You can give me a bigger hint. After all, it’s not going to get here in time for the holiday.”

“Oh, darling. I want you to be surprised. If I give you more hints you might guess what it is.”

“But I’m bursting with curiosity. Please? One more little tip?”

“Okay. Let me see. The gift represents what is good about nature.”

“My goodness. That is a strange hint. I expected something like, ‘It shines in the light like a star.'”

“Er. No. I thought you had rejected the commercialism and conspicuous spending that would be represented by something that shines in the light like a star.”

“Oh, I never said that. I said we should stick to more natural gifts like real metals and gems.”

“I guess I misunderstood your desires then. I thought we were going back to basics.”

“Well tell me gold and silver are not basic. How much more basic is a diamond?”

“I got you a symbol. A handmade symbol of recycling.”

“Recycling? Did you get me a hand-made basket of mulch?”

“No. Nothing like that. This you can keep in the house.”

“Now I’m not sure I want any more hints. I was hoping for a tangible expression of our love.”

“This is tangible.”

“Can I wear it on my finger.?”

“Er. No, but you can hold it in your arms.”

“In arms from England. OMG, you bought one of those Corgi dogs that the Queen hauls around.”

“No nothing like that. Tell you what. Let’s forget the English gift. It may not be the right thing, after all, I think I’ll just do something different.”

“Give me a hint?”

“Better than that, I’ll let you pick it out.”

Here is what is going on in Keith’s own words. “Using this photo (below) 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 – but pingbacks don’t often 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 web site, next Monday.”

The Photo

Customer Care by John W. Howell ©2016

“Hello, Triple-A? Yes, I have a problem. I’m broken down in front of Nehru park for children. I think I need a tow truck.”

“My car? No, it’s not a car. It’s a Vespa. A Vespa. V-E-S-P-A.”

“Sure like a motor scooter. Anyway, I can’t get it to start.”

“What do you mean how do I know it won’t start?. It won’t start.”

“Process? I put the key in the slot that is for the key. I turn the key. I touch the starter button and nothing happens.”

“I don’t know any other process. I need you to come and take it to a repair place.”

“How heavy is it? Now how would I know how heavy?”

“Pick it up? If I could pick it up, I could carry it to a repair place myself.”

“I’m not rude. I think you are silly.”

“Yes, Let me talk to a supervisor.”

“Hello, I need a tow to a repair place.”

“No, it’s not a car.”

“V-E-S-P-A.”

“That is what the other person asked. I don’t know how heavy. Please don’t ask me to pick it up.”

“I think you are rude. I hope I will be getting a survey because you folks are really going to get—”

“Hello. Hello?”

This is a photo prompt by Keith Channing. He will explain what is going on. “Using this photo (below) 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 often 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 web site, next Monday.”

The photo.

The Dog Statue by John W. Howell © 2016

“You say that thing is a statue?”

“Yup. That’s what my grandpappy told me.”

“It looks so real. In fact, I don’t trust it.”

“I don’t either.”

“Oh come on. It’s been standing like that since we got here. You two are just being chicken.”

“You think? Have you looked in a mirror lately?”

“What do you mean?”

“We are chickens you, idiot.”

“Never mind that. There is no reason to be afraid of a statue.”

“How are you so sure it is a statue anyway. You said something about your grandpappy?”

“Yeah, my grandpappy told me about the statue when I was just a chick.”

“Where’s your grandpappy now?”

“Oh, he passed away.”

“Passed away? How? Old age?”

“No one in the family knows for sure. It’s a mystery.”

“Tell us about it.”

“The only thing the family knows is grandpappy said he was going out for a stroll and that’s the last anyone heard of him.”

“A stroll? Where?”

“He said he was going for a stroll in the dog statue garden.”

“And that doesn’t tell you something?”

“Like what?”

“Like the last thing to see your grandpappy alive was a dog statue.”

“I never thought of that. Too bad that statue can’t tell us what happened.”

“Excuse me but I gotta go.”

“Me too.”

“Aw don’t go. Come back you guys.”

As you know, I like prompts, and Keith Channing has one I enjoy. Here’s the deal in his own words. “Using this photo (Below) 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 web site, next Monday.”

The picture

Work by John W. Howell © 2016

“I know you’re in there Pradeep.”

“Mmmumble.”

“I can’t understand you.”

“Quambackltr.”

“What are you saying. It is time to go to work.”

“Why can’t I catch a break?”

“I heard that. It’s almost nine o’clock. You need to get going. I’m paying for this cab, and it is not for sleeping but for earning money.”

“All right, all right. You don’t have to yell. I’m getting up.”

“Why do you sleep in this cab anyway? Isn’t it uncomfortable?”

“Better than on the park bench. Did you bring coffee?”

“Coffee? Do I look like I’m running room service? I’m your boss for heaven’s sake.”

“Doesn’t hurt to ask.”

“It does show a lack of respect.”

“Oh I’m sorry. I’ll bet that means no donut either.”

“That’s it. You’re fired.”

“Oh dear me. Whatever will I do? Here take the keys. You going to drive the cab now?”

“I’m the boss. Bosses don’t drive the cabs. Bosses own the cabs.”

“Okay boss. Good luck.”

“Where’er you going?”

“I don’t know.”

“Need a job?”

“Why yes. Yes, I do.”

“Want to drive a cab?”

“Sounds fun.”

“You’re hired.”

“Do I get coffee?”

It is hard to believe this edition of Kreative Kue is number 100. I have enjoyed each in which I have participated. If you want to do it here is Keith Channing to explain it all.

“Using this photo (below) 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 web site, next Monday.”

Here is the photo.

Our House by John W. Howell © 2016

“Man alive, you are so in trouble.”

“I don’t need to hear that. I know it. What I need to hear is suggestions on how to fix this mess.”

“How on earth did this happen?”

“I’m not sure. I was feeding my rabbits and all of a sudden this thing drops out of the sky.”

“Out of the sky? This must be hundreds of tons. How could it just drop out of the sky?”

“I don’t know, but you can see the rabbit hutches are untouched. in fact when the thing hit they along with me just popped up onto this ledge.”

“You were lucky you weren’t killed.”

“Well, we need to figure out how to move this thing before my father gets home.”

“I don’t think that is possible. Your house is under there somewhere and even if you could move it there won’t be anything left.”

“So what can I tell my father.”

“How about the truth?”

“I’m not sure he would believe me.”

“Why not? You said you were feeding your rabbits and this thing fell out of the sky. That’s the truth right?”

“Not exactly.”

“Not exactly? What does that mean?”

“Well, I wasn’t feeding the rabbits. I was on my computer and having a chat with a guy whose name is Zeus.”

“Chat name of Zeus? What were you talking about?”

“Aw he was saying how great he is and I called his bluff.”

“Called his bluff? How?”

“I told him if he was so great and could do what he said why not show me something.”

“Like what?”

“Like putting the Brooklyn Bridge in my back yard.”

“Man, I’ve told you before that those chat rooms are dangerous.”

So here is the deal in Keith’s words.

“Using this photo(below) 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 web site, next Monday.”

The photo

Ready by John W. Howell © 2016

“So what do you guys want to portray?”

“We want the world to look at our photo and see four handsome eligible men.”

“Okay, I think we can do that. Why did you hire me.? I thought you already published a photo.”

“Well, we did but er it just didn’t say what we wanted it to say.”

“Okay. let me see it.”

“Here it is.”

“Hmmm. What did this photo say that you wanted to keep quiet.”

“For one thing. See that chipped cup in the foreground?”

“Yes.”

“That says poor.”

“Uh huh. I can agree there. What about those  ashtrays.”

“They are the finest crystal from Waterford. They say rich.”

“Also they say smokers with stinky breath and clothes.”

“Oh. We didn’t think of that angle.”

“How about that background? The electric cord and the drapes. That orange color looks like poster board. Where did you take this? Looks like the Holiday Inn.”

“That was taken in our office conference room I’ll have you know.”

“Uh okay. You know what that says?”

“No what?”

“No creativity.”

“But I’m holding a camera as a demonstration of my interest in photography.”

“Does a lot of good when your photo stinks.”

“I didn’t take it.”

“Even worse. What about the shirt outside the pants.”

“He forgot a belt.”

“I suppose you all got those ties from the same place.”

“Yes, we did. A guy on the street corner had a sale.”

“Let me guess. Four for one.”

“How did you know?”

“Just lucky I guess.”

“I think you guys need more than a photographer. I can put you in touch with an image consultant.”

“Why do you think we need an image consultant?”

“Your question just confirmed it.”