FISHUN' - 100 word story

This week's Friday Fictioneer's photo prompt was enigmatic to say the least! Hope you enjoy my take on it.

Oh, and isn't this a strange festive season? Hope your Christmas is as enjoyable as feasible in the circumstances. Take care!

PHOTO PROMPT © Trish Nankivell

FISHUN'

 

 

“Hiya, Abe.” Mikey dumped his gear on the ground.

“Hiya, Mikey,” said Abe, settling back on his stool.

“Any luck yet?” said Mikey.

“Nuthin’.”

Mikey assembled his rod and sat on the bank. “Grand mornin’ for it, Abe.”

“That it is.”

The men fell silent. Encompassed in their separate worlds like a pair of meditating buddhas, accompanied by soft birdsong and the occasional splash.

Eventually Mikey broke the silence.

“Well now, Abe. What about your sign then?”

“Hmm?”

“Up on the road. Sure, isn’t it a little… enigmatic, like?”

“Here’s the thing, Mikey. I didn’t know how to spell fishun'.”

 

 

I hope you enjoyed reading this and I look forward to your comments. 

If you wish to read more Friday Fictioneers stories, you can find them listed HERE

If you'd like to join in the challenge, you'll find all the information posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields 

- her blog is listed on 'My Blog List' on the right hand side of this page.

On a final note - I always attempt to visit the blogs of everyone who comments on mine. If I haven't commented on yours it's either because I haven't been redirected to your blog when I've clicked on your name or because you have a wordpress account that requires me to sign into wordpress first. 

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A DISTRACTION - 100 word story

This week's Friday Fictioneers photo prompt helped me to write a story about Leprechaun Paddy who is still trying to solve the problem of retrieving his Pot of Gold from the human, Batty Patty.

PHOTO PROMPT © Sandra Crook

A DISTRACTION

 

 

‘A distraction?’ said McSpud, adjusting his tall green hat.

‘Ye, a distraction,’ said Paddy. ‘The human nutjob, Batty Patty, still has my Pot of Gold. I want you to create a distraction while I nip into her kitchen and grab my Pot.’  

McSpud saluted Paddy with his tankard of poitin. ‘Sure, I’m your man, Paddy.’

‘Good. Meet me in her garden at sunset.’

 

Paddy arrived in Batty Patty’s garden. But where was McSpud? Paddy heard rustling in Patty’s shrubbery. An apparition emerged. Paddy fell backwards.

The apparition chuckled.

‘McSpud?’

‘I’m after thinking a scarecrow will make a grand distraction.’

Paddy sighed.

 

I hope you enjoyed reading this and I look forward to your comments. 

If you wish to read more Friday Fictioneers stories, you can find them listed HERE

If you'd like to join in the challenge, you'll find all the information posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields 

- her blog is listed on 'My Blog List' on the right hand side of this page.

On a final note - I always attempt to visit the blogs of everyone who comments on mine. If I haven't commented on yours it's either because I haven't been redirected to your blog when I've clicked on your name or because you have a wordpress account that requires me to sign into wordpress first. 

Please check and amend your settings. Thanks.

PADDY'S PROBLEM

 An intriguing photo of a piece of string was this week's Friday Fictioneers photo prompt. I hope you enjoy my take on it which is a sequel to last week's Leprechaun story, but also hopefully stands alone too.

photo prompt: CE Ayr

PADDY’S PROBLEM

 

‘Seamus took your Pot of Gold again, Paddy?’ said McSpud.

‘Ye, the gobshite hid it in a garden, and the human found it.’

McSpud shook his head. ‘That’s bad.’

 ‘They call her Batty Patty because she’s a nutjob. My Pot’s sitting on her kitchen window sill. I’m waiting for her to open the window.’

‘But how will you reach it?’

‘Rope.’

‘Rope?’

‘Ye, I’ll lasso it.’

‘That’s a grand idea, Paddy.’ McSpud paused. ‘But… if she’s a nutjob…’

‘I know.’ Paddy sighed. ‘May she be plagued with a powerful itch…’

‘And never have the nails to scratch it,’ riposted McSpud.

I love the way the Irish express themselves. I've been waiting for the right opportunity to use this particular curse. I hope you enjoyed reading this and I look forward to your comments. 

If you wish to read more Friday Fictioneers stories, you can find them listed HERE

If you'd like to join in the challenge, you'll find all the information posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields 

- her blog is listed on 'My Blog List' on the right hand side of this page.

On a final note - I always attempt to visit the blogs of everyone who comments on mine. If I haven't commented on yours it's either because I haven't been redirected to your blog when I've clicked on your name or because you have a wordpress account that requires me to sign into wordpress first. 

Please check and amend your settings. Thanks.

THE SPRAIN OF DESTINY - 100 word story

I wasn't planning to participate in this week's Friday Fictioneers because I've just bought a new laptop and need a day or two to transfer my files. But then I saw a photo of my foot! Well I couldn't not write a story, could I? And it seemed appropriate to return to some old friends.

The Sprain of Destiny

When Batty Patty sprained her ankle tripping over a Leprechaun's Pot of Gold in her garden she was thrilled.

She cradled the Pot in wonder. This was acknowledgement by the Little Folk that she was a kindred spirit. This was destiny. Why else would they give her this gift?

... ... ... 

Paddy the Leprechaun peeped through Patty's cat flap in alarm. How had this woman even seen his Pot? It was supposed to be invisible to humans! And how the feck would he retrieve it while she was cuddling it?

Damn that gobshite Seamus for hiding Paddy's Pot in a nutjob's garden.

I hope you enjoyed this story and I look forward to your comments. 

If you wish to read more Friday Fictioneers stories, you can find them listed HERE

If you'd like to join in the challenge, you'll find all the information posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields 

- her blog is listed on 'My Blog List' on the right hand side of this page.

On a final note - I always attempt to visit the blogs of everyone who comments on mine. If I haven't commented on yours it's either because I haven't been redirected to your blog when I've clicked on your name or because you have a wordpress account that requires me to sign into wordpress first. 

Please check and amend your settings. Thanks.

HOUSE SHADOWS - 100 word story

 This week's Friday Fictioneers photo prompt supplied by Sarah Potter led me down a potentially spooky path.

House shadows

The light drained from the sky like someone opening a vein. Our world turned monochrome. I shivered.

'You okay?' said Robbie.

Shadowy movements in the garden.

'It's just the wind,' said Robbie.

The night thickened with cold.

'They got bears hereabouts?'

Robbie huffed. 'You crazy?'

'Well.'

'We need firewood.' He went outside.

Minutes passed. I finally cracked open the door. 'Robbie?'

A thump.

'Robbie? Are you messing with me?'

A barnacled shadow moved on the edge of vision. I heard saw-toothed voices and slammed the door shut. Heavy footsteps on the deck.

I waited for the door to open.

I hope you enjoyed this story and I look forward to your comments. 

If you wish to read more Friday Fictioneers stories, you can find them listed HERE

If you'd like to join in the challenge, you'll find all the information posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields 

- her blog is listed on 'My Blog List' on the right hand side of this page.

On a final note - I always attempt to visit the blogs of everyone who comments on mine. If I haven't commented on yours it's either because I haven't been redirected to your blog when I've clicked on your name or because you have a wordpress account that requires me to sign into wordpress first. 

Please check and amend your settings. Thanks.

LEST SHE FORGET - 100 word story

My first reaction when I saw this weeks' Friday Fictioneers photo prompt was: oh, I'm not ready to write a Christmas story. But today (the eleventh) is Armistice Day and found I was able to weave a story around both events. 

LEST SHE FORGET

'Not possible.'

'But, Peter...'

'It's November, Annie.'

'But, Peter...' Annie's eyes filled with tears.

Peter softened his tone. 'Nothing's ready yet, Annie.'

Annie gulped. 'Just a little bit of holly then?'

'Not for another three weeks.'

Dejected, the old lady left the garden centre.

Peter watched her go. He knew her story. She'd lost her husband many Christmases ago. He understood that putting up Christmas decorations was Annie's way of celebrating his memory, but what could he do? The trees, the holly, the mistletoe: nothing was available yet.

He looked up at his pine tree and had an idea.

I hope you enjoyed this story and I look forward to your comments. 

If you wish to read more Friday Fictioneers stories, you can find them listed HERE

If you'd like to join in the challenge, you'll find all the information posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields 

- her blog is listed on 'My Blog List' on the right hand side of this page.

On a final note - I always attempt to visit the blogs of everyone who comments on mine. If I haven't commented on yours it's either because I haven't been redirected to your blog when I've clicked on your name or because you have a wordpress account that requires me to sign into wordpress first. 

Please check and amend your settings. Thanks.

ARTWORK - 100 word story

This week's Friday Fictioneer's photo prompt didn't give me any immediate inspiration. I left it to my subconscious to get to work and here's the result. 

PHOTO PROMPT – © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

ARTWORK

She needed to move her latest body. But she was too busy. Who knew running a B&B to supplement her income would take up so much of her precious time?

These current guests were driving her barmy. So bloody demanding. We don't eat gluten. We don't eat dairy. We don't eat fruit.

She laid the breakfast table, muttering curses. Just one more, 'we don't eat...' and they'd end up wrapped in clay.

They ate. They left. Peace at last.

She returned to her latest body of work. Caressed the clay. It was probably her best sculpture yet.

I hope you enjoyed this story and I look forward to your comments. 

If you wish to read more Friday Fictioneers stories, you can find them listed HERE

If you'd like to join in the challenge, you'll find all the information posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields 

- her blog is listed on 'My Blog List' on the right hand side of this page.

On a final note - I always attempt to visit the blogs of everyone who comments on mine. If I haven't commented on yours it's either because I haven't been redirected to your blog when I've clicked on your name or because you have a wordpress account that requires me to sign into wordpress first. 

Please check and amend your settings. Thanks.

THE GIFT - 100 word story

 A story for this week's Friday Fictioneers photo leapt out at me. I only hope it's not too predictable! I could have done with a longer word count on this one; you'll have to write the ending yourself. 

PHOTO PROMPT © C.E.Ayr

THE GIFT

They met online.

He said he was 'very solvent with a wicked sense of humour'. She said she was 'adventurous with a sense of the ridiculous'.

Admittedly she was slightly disappointed when they met, but suitably impressed when he wined and dined her in expensive restaurants. She rewarded him by demonstrating her adventurous spirit in the bedroom.

He took her to Cannes. 'I have a gift for you.'

They stood on the jetty. The little yacht was exquisite.

'You shouldn't have,' she purred.

'Like it?'

'Love it.'

'And the basket on the back will come in handy, don't you think?'

I hope you enjoyed this story and I look forward to your comments. 

If you wish to read more Friday Fictioneers stories, you can find them listed HERE

If you'd like to join in the challenge, you'll find all the information posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields 

- her blog is listed on 'My Blog List' on the right hand side of this page.

On a final note - I always attempt to visit the blogs of everyone who comments on mine. If I haven't commented on yours it's either because I haven't been redirected to your blog when I've clicked on your name or because you have a wordpress account that requires me to sign into wordpress first. 

Please check and amend your settings. Thanks.

JUST A STORM - 100 word story

This week's Friday Fictioneers photo prompt gives us the result of storm damage on what looks like an English pier. This story wrote itself.

PHOTO PROMPT © Sandra Crook

JUST A STORM

They returned in ones and twos.

Angelika turned on them. 'There, now do you get it? Climate change does affect us.'

'It was just a storm, Geli,' said Noddy.

'Not just a storm. Our homes are destroyed. I told you we were too close to the shore.'

The others burbled:

she's right,

not just a storm,

we're doomed...

'We can make repairs,' said Noddy.

Angelika parodied him, 'we can make repairs.' She flicked her tail in disgust.

Noddy looked at her helplessly before rallying. He pointed at the underwater pier structure with his trident. 'Come on, folks. Rebuild time.'

I hope you enjoyed this story and I look forward to your comments. 

If you wish to read more Friday Fictioneers stories, you can find them listed HERE

If you'd like to join in the challenge, you'll find all the information posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields 

- her blog is listed on 'My Blog List' on the right hand side of this page.

On a final note - I always attempt to visit the blogs of everyone who comments on mine. If I haven't commented on yours it's either because I haven't been redirected to your blog when I've clicked on your name or because you have a wordpress account that requires me to sign into wordpress first. 

Please check and amend your settings. Thanks.

HEALING IN THE BREW - 100 words

 I couldn't make head nor tail of this week's Friday Fictioneers photo prompt, so wrote a story from the perspective of a Leprechaun who's been hitting the homebrew! Hope you like it.

PHOTO PROMPT © Rowena Curtin

HEALING IN THE BREW

'It's not a rainbow, you eejit.' Paddy glared at McSpud over his tankard of poitin.

McSpud took a swig from his own tankard. 'I believe you're wrong, Paddy.'

'You've been overdoing the homebrew, m'lad.'

'It's pure cruel you are.' McSpud belched. 'There's healing in this brew.'

'Like feck there is.'

McSpud peered out from their hidey hole. 'Will you look at that. The sun is trying to break it up.' He laced his hands across his rotund tummy, closed his eyes and began to snore.

'Eejit Leprechaun.' Paddy gently pulled McSpud's hat over his face to shield it from the sun.

I hope you enjoyed this story and I look forward to your comments. 

If you wish to read more Friday Fictioneers stories, you can find them listed HERE

If you'd like to join in the challenge, you'll find all the information posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields 

- her blog is listed on 'My Blog List' on the right hand side of this page.

On a final note - I always attempt to visit the blogs of everyone who comments on mine. If I haven't commented on yours it's either because I haven't been redirected to your blog when I've clicked on your name or because you have a wordpress account that requires me to sign into wordpress first. 

Please check and amend your settings. Thanks.

PUNGENT POWER - 100 word story

 I suspect my theme this week will be repeated by other Friday Fictioneers. Hey ho - I'm afraid I can't look at this photo and write about anything else!

PUNGENT POWER

Frantic knocking woke Batty Patty.

Randolph was on her door step, hyperventilating. 'The rumours are true, Patty.'

'You were dreaming, laddie.'

'No! I saw one! Everyone knows you have special powers, Patty. Please help me.'

Patty sighed. 'Here.' She handed him a garlic bulb. 'Crush one clove, add boiling water and drink the infusion. Then thread another clove onto string to hang around your neck. They hate garlic.'

'I can't thank you enough, Patty.'

'Off you go.'

At this rate the whole village was going to turn rather pungent until the scare subsided.

Patty shook her head and smiled.

I hope you enjoyed this story and I look forward to your comments. 

If you wish to read more Friday Fictioneers stories, you can find them listed HERE

If you'd like to join in the challenge, you'll find all the information posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields 

- her blog is listed on 'My Blog List' on the right hand side of this page.

On a final note - I always attempt to visit the blogs of everyone who comments on mine. If I haven't commented on yours it's either because I haven't been redirected to your blog when I've clicked on your name or because you have a wordpress account that requires me to sign into wordpress first. 

Please check and amend your settings. Thanks.

A STAR IS BORN - 100 word story

 I visited Hollywood a long time ago and will never forget the thrill of spotting the hand prints of my favourite movie stars. 

PHOTO PROMPT -Copyright-Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

A STAR IS BORN

He stood 5’4”. Bandy legs protruded from his over-sized shorts. A lifetime of struggle etched his narrow face. Ah, but his eyes. They might be nestled in corrugated skin, but they shone like a teenager’s. Coiled with suppressed excitement, his t-shirt bore the improbable slogan ‘Born to be Wild’.

Weary tourists wandered down the street, eyes skimming the pressing, shoving crowd: worried, excited, fearful or joyful. Looking down before suddenly lighting up in recognition: a wave, a shout, a grin.

Eyes down, he meandered, checking, checking. There! He fell to his knees and reverently placed his hands in the indentations.

Hope you enjoyed this story and I look forward to your comments. 

If you wish to read more Friday Fictioneers stories, you can find them listed HERE

If you'd like to join in the challenge, you'll find all the information posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields 

- her blog is listed on 'My Blog List' on the right hand side of this page.

On a final note - I always attempt to visit the blogs of everyone who comments on mine. If I haven't commented on yours it's either because I haven't been redirected to your blog when I've clicked on your name or because you have a wordpress account that requires me to sign into wordpress first. 

Please check and amend your settings. Thanks.

IN THE WILD - 100 word story

Okay, this week's Friday Fictioneers photo prompt triggered a memory, so here is a true story instead of a fictional one.

PHOTO PROMPT © Jean L. Hays

IN THE WILD

If you see wild dolphins when scuba diving, you have to look interesting enough to trigger their curiosity. Turn somersaults, bounce around, make noise.

We slipped into the balmy water and descended into the channel where dolphins were said to visit.

Nothing.

Instead we found explosions of tiny orange and purple Anthias dipping and flitting around the corals.

Heads down examining our find, I glanced around.

Dolphins! Right behind us!

I somersaulted. I bounced. I squeaked. I squealed. I screamed. I wiggled my outstretched fingers.

The dolphins looked at the noisy, bubbling, madly gesticulating creature, shrugged and swam away.

Hope you enjoyed this story and I look forward to your comments. 

If you wish to read more Friday Fictioneers stories, you can find them listed HERE

If you'd like to join in the challenge, you'll find all the information posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields 

- her blog is listed on 'My Blog List' on the right hand side of this page.

On a final note - I always attempt to visit the blogs of everyone who comments on mine. If I haven't commented on yours it's either because I haven't been redirected to your blog when I've clicked on your name or because you have a wordpress account that requires me to sign into wordpress first. 

Please check and amend your settings. Thanks.

HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT - 100 word story

The shenanigans continue in the world of the Little People.

PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT

Paddy the Leprechaun put his paintbrush down with a self-congratulatory grunt. His little face scrunched into a smile.

McSpud wandered in. 'Ah, there you are, Paddy. Painting, are ye?'

Paddy handed McSpud a tankard of Poitin. 'What d'ye think?'

McSpud took an appreciative gulp of Paddy's brew. 'Sure, it's colourful. What is it after being then, Paddy?'

Paddy's smile broadened. 'You can't tell?'

'I can't, Paddy.'

Paddy picked up the rainbow coloured item and declaimed, 'may I present Seamus the Gobshite's Pot of Gold.'

'Ah, jaysus,' said McSpud.

Paddy took a satisfied swig of Poitin and winked at McSpud.

Hope you enjoyed this story and I look forward to your comments. 

If you wish to read more Friday Fictioneers stories, you can find them listed HERE

If you'd like to join in the challenge, you'll find all the information posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields 

- her blog is listed on 'My Blog List' on the right hand side of this page.

On a final note - I always attempt to visit the blogs of everyone who comments on mine. If I haven't commented on yours it's either because I haven't been redirected to your blog when I've clicked on your name or because you have a wordpress account that requires me to sign into wordpress first. 

Please check and amend your settings. Thanks.