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AFTERNOON TEA ~ 9th DECEMBER 2015

11/12/2015

Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers ~ Writing challenge.

Hosted by Priceless Joy.

The goal is to write a story between 100-150 words (give or take 25 words) based on the provided photo.

Image © The Storyteller's Abode

AFTERNOON TEA
by John Yeo

The ladies of the local WI were taking afternoon tea in a very busy tourist area of the city. The sun shone beautifully as many people strolled by enjoying the pleasures of a peaceful afternoon.
That was before the siren of an approaching ambulance in the distance, broke the spell. The ambulance was unable to get through, as the pathway was too narrow. A crowd quickly gathered around a young woman who was lying on the ground obviously in the later stages of her pregnancy.
Doris quickly left her WI friends at the table and leapt into action. "Get hot water and towels from the restaurant! Quickly" she shouted. Soon the hearty cries of a new-born child could be heard as Doris calmly exclaimed.
"It's a girl!"
Later when the paramedics finally arrived, Doris explained she had been a midwife for thirty years during her working life.
"I'm going to name my baby Doris, after you." said the grateful young Mum.
"No don't do that, she wont thank you for that." Laughed Doris.

Copyright © Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved

(174 WORDS)

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MAN-TRAPS ~2nd DECEMBER 2015

4/12/2015

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Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers ~ Writing challenge.

Hosted by Priceless Joy.

The goal is to write a story between 100-150 words (give or take 25 words) based on the provided photo.

Image Supplied and Credited by Priceless Joy

MAN-TRAPS
by John Yeo

The ship landed on an Earth-like planet, a huge single green sea, bounded on all sides by a mountainous land. The vegetation was stunning, multi-coloured trees, covered in succulent fruit that looked edible and appetising.

" Looks like we have found what we are looking for!" Said the Captain, to his second officer, who was operating the outer periscope to survey the terrain.

"Yes Sir, there doesn't seem to be any visible inhabitants, just those strange purple mushroom-shaped plants on the fringes of that forest."
Johnson, the second officer, had travelled with the Captain on many missions before.

"Good!" Exclaimed the Captain, "We'll send an exploratory team and a rover to explore.
As the team got out from the rover, and began walking forwards there was a whoosh as a tentacle whipped out from one of the plants and picked up an explorer and calmly swallowed him. The other members of the team tried to escape but they were surrounded by alien plants.

Cousins of the Earth's, Venus fly-trap. Alien man-traps.

(175 WORDS)

Copyright © Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved.

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Netherdoor ~December 1st, 2015

3/12/2015

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Image from the Net

NETHERDOOR
by John Yeo

Billy coughed and spluttered as he shouted with glee. "It's true, unbelievably true. Google doesn't know!"

"Google doesn't know!" Betty laughed, "Impossible, Google knows everything, I rely on Google a lot!"

"Google has no response to Netherdoor. I wanted to find out about Netherdoor before we make the trip. Where we are going, the brochure clearly says to go through Netherdoor, and take the magical mystery tour of Netherworld." Billy was absolutely flummoxed and amazed at this fact.

"Oh! Come on Billy! Google knows everything: Are you sure you typed the words in correctly?" Betty was astonished. "What did they come up with?" She trusted in Google implicitly.

Billy smiled as he said.. "All sorts of irrelevant, nonsensical advertising, for books and games, based on the medieval meaning of the Netherworld, as the underworld or hell. No guidebooks for the real magical Netherworld behind the Netherdoor. Google hasn't got a clue about the world on the other side of the real Netherdoor."

Betty asked Billy for the brochure, to check the spelling as she still firmly believed in the limitless power of the knowledge available through Google.

"The brochure?" Billy giggled, amused at her reaction to the fallibility of the powerful search engine. "I thought you had the brochure, don't tell me the brochure has vanished!"

Betty looked bemused as she started to hunt everywhere for the missing brochure. "It is here somewhere Billy. I know for certain I saw it. Are you sure you haven't got it? How can we go if we don't know where the Netherdoor to the Netherworld is located. Shall I ask Google where it is again?" Betty grabbed her iPad and keyed in Netherdoor again.

Suddenly a metallic voice asked "How can I help you?" Betty was startled, she had forgotten Google had learned to talk. Quickly she recovered and explained the situation. "I'm sorry I didn't get that!"

Betty was shocked. Google is fallible! "What are we going to do Billy? We are on our own, we will have to find the brochure."

Billy nodded and agreed, as he asked, "Where is the brochure?"

Betty suddenly caught on and replied, "I have an idea lets ask Google the way to Disneyland instead. I am sure they know where that is."

"OK!" said Billy, with a twinkle in his eye. "Ask Google?"

Copyright © Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved.

A Prompt response for Inspiration Monday
http://bekindrewrite.com/2015/11/30/inspiration-monday-netherdoor/

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ELEMENTALLY, MY DEAR ~27th November 2015

29/11/2015

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A Prompt Response for Inspiration Monday

ELEMENTALLY MY DEAR
by John Yeo

"Why? Darling what is the problem?"

"You know how much I dislike the man, especially after the way he behaved towards his wife and child. The idiot just up and abandoned them, leaving home with the first woman who happened along. Bringing the subject down to the simplest element of disgust I feel for him, hatred is not a pleasant word. However hatred and distaste together, go for a potent reason to analyse the basics. Why would a man just destroy everything he has built up over a number of years? I tell you my opinion is starkly simple, primitive, and basic, full of hate, dIsgust, and other elemental emotions."

"Wow Darling! That is very strong reaction."

"Simply Elementally my Dear"

Copyright © Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved.

Image © Copyright John and Margaret

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ALIENS ~ 26TH NOVEMBER 2015

28/11/2015

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Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers ~ Writing challenge.

Hosted by Priceless Joy.

The goal is to write a story between 100-150 words (give or take 25 words) based on the provided photo.

Image from etolbagam.com ~ Provided and credited by Priceless Joy

ALIENS
by John Yeo

The twins were playing at the bottom of the garden with their rag dolls in a woodland clearing.
"Let's pretend they are alive, and make a story up Jenny." Said Jilly excitedly, "I'll take the two with big eyes and you pretend to be the yellow and blue ones."

"OK Jilly," replied Jenny with a grin and they began an aliens game, using strange different voices for the toys, and having wonderful fun.
Half an hour later there was a loud summons from the house,

"Come in you two! It is very late now, and time for Supper."

"Alright Mummy, we are coming." Chorused the twins.

"What about the toys Jenny?"

"Oh, leave them where they are, Jilly. They should be alright."

Later, at the end of the garden there was a quiet whir as a flying saucer landed. Three strange, three headed beings, approached the rag dolls, that were abandoned by the twins.
Strange noises as they swept the toys into their ship and flew away.

"Gullaglugpulladaplugogollygosh"
("Captain we have captured some aliens!")

(174 WORDS)

Copyright © Written by John Yeo ~All rights reserved.

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FORGOTTEN BUT NOT GONE ~ 20th. NOVEMBER 2015

22/11/2015

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'Forget-me-nots" Image © Copyright John and Margaret

FLASH FICTION

As the poetry prompt was very late in arriving today, I spent my time responding to a prompt by
Inspiration Monday. http://bekindrewrite.com

They always have such superbly unusual prompts. I enjoyed writing this one immensely.

FORGOTTEN BUT NOT GONE

by John Yeo

"Oh! Come on Harry, the television is always on in the day-room, Phoebe Gertie and Rosy will be there all sitting in their usual chairs."
Louise the ever-busy care assistant ushered Harry into the day room to find the ladies seated in their usual chairs. The television was on full blast as Rosy had a hearing problem, although she was fast asleep.

Phoebe was concentrating on her knitting, she looked up as Harry sat down and said, "Hallo you are new here. Welcome, I'm Phoebe and that is Rosy, she is fast asleep at the moment. That is Gertie in the corner, she never says a word to anyone, just nods and smiles all the time. Sad really, she was a Social Worker once."

Harry nodded and blankly smiled, "I have a very important appointment but I have forgotten what it was, I will have to ask my secretary, she will remind me, she keeps all my appointments listed in the diary."
Phoebe smiled and asked sympathetically, "Will your secretary bring your diary, when she comes to visit you? My family and friends used to visit, but they have stopped coming lately. Gertie's husband used to come, but he passed away several months ago, and no one comes to see her now."

Louise the care assistant bustled in with a tea tray and some minute slices of fruitcake, sliced very delicately and digestible to even the smallest palette.
Harry looked puzzled and asked her, "What is the time of my appointment?"
Louise was unsure exactly what he was referring to and smiled reassuringly.
"Don't worry Harry, we will help you keep all of your appointments."

Just at that moment, Rosy woke up with a start and started choking loudly.
"Have a cup of tea Rosy, take a sip of water, that will help or would you like some cough mixture?" Rosy quickly swallowed some water and looked around noticing Harry there, she exclaimed!
"Hallo are you visiting me? I am waiting for a message from my family. Have you come to see me?"

Louise grinned and said, "No Rosy, this is our new resident Harry, he has just arrived, to stay here with us."
Harry looked at her closely and said, "Pleased to meet you here Rosy. I will not be here long as I have a very important appointment, but we will soon get to know each other. Are you on the back benches?"
Everyone looked at Harry strangely at that remark.
Phoebe frowned and whispered to Louise, "Is he alright? I hope he is not one of those bragging types who always pretend to be better than what they are."
Louise said, "Don't worry Phoebe, he is a lovely man when you get to know him."
After Louise had left the day room with the dirty cups and saucers, Phoebe and Rosy could hardly wait to get to work on Harry to find out more.

Rosy was first to break the silence. "Harry, I used to be married to a diplomat and he travelled extensively working abroad, we spent a long time in India."

"Oh! That's interesting." Harry replied, "I may have met him."

At this point Phoebe interjected and said, "Yes, funnily enough both of us were civil servants. I worked in the House as a permanent secretary. What did you do Harry?"

"Well ladies, I haven't got much time to go into details as I have a very important appointment, I must see my secretary soon.
I was Prime Minister once you know.

Copyright © Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved

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THE QUESTION ~ 19TH NOVEMBER 2015

21/11/2015

Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers ~ Writing challenge.

Hosted by Priceless Joy.

The goal is to write a story between 100-150 words (give or take 25 words) based on the provided photo.

Image provided and credited by Priceless Joy

THE QUESTION

by John Yeo

The peahen looks on in wonder as two peacock suitors vie for her attention, so different in looks and size and appearance.

The dazzling white peacock was cocksure of winning the ladies hand, everybody was stunned at his handsome appearance. Not a feather in disarray to spoil his courtship display, a beautiful youthful bird.
Standing next to him was the competition a wise old bird who preened with unlimited resources and a reputation for looking after the ladies. A famous wise old bird. Food and shelter would be luxurious here, her children would want for nothing.
Which bird won the Peahens hand?

Jim, a stunningly handsome well built youth, was a ladies man, desired by many ladies, in love with life, when he fell in love with a desirable beautiful lady.
Rick Roller, an ageing very famous singer, was also in love with her, and spent vast sums of money on his appearance, preening to seduce her. Money would be plentiful here and the children would want for nothing.

Which bird won the ladies hand?

(175 WORDS)

Copyright © Written by John Yeo all rights reserved.

WHERE WOLF ~17TH NOVEMBER 2015

19/11/2015

WHERE WOLF
by John Yeo

He was a drifter who always moved with the whims of his ever-changing quest. A searcher for peace and serenity that drove him always ever-onward to new horizons.
No one ever really knew him, it was very difficult to penetrate the hard shell that obscured and shielded his ever hungry-mind.
He had a four-legged companion, a tame wolf, who travelled with him and rarely left his side. Rumour had it, he had stumbled across an injured wolf cub in the forest and nursed it back to health. The wolf just followed him wherever he went after that, and a deep relationship developed between the man and beast.
On the rare occasions his friend went missing, there would be several wolves howling in the night and his friend would be gone, sometimes for a few days.

Perhaps it was the need for human contact that led him to make his home near our forest encampment. We were a small community of self-sufficient small-time farmers and growers. The community accepted and welcomed him with open arms and friendship, as he drifted around doing small jobs and hard laborious work for food and drink. He was very fond of the homemade rough strong cider, that was brewed by one of our fruit growers.

One sad memorable week we discovered several dead sheep and a goat, killed by a predator and left half-eaten in the fields. Suspicion fell on the tame wolf and several of our menfolk approached the man and his wolf with guns.

There was unease as he stood facing these angry farmers without fear, the wolf just stood beside him.

"We've come for the killer wolf, step aside or die!" Shouted the leader.

"Why? The wolf is not a killer and he stays with me." Replied the drifter.

Then the wolf growled and howled, and looked at his friend, there was a moment of shocked silence as the drifter whispered, "Where Wolf?"
Moving on the fringes of the forest in the distance, cautiously stalking a wild bird was a full grown wild cat. There was a volley of shots from the men as the big cat fled into the forest and disappeared into the trees.

The next day the drifter and his friend were gone never to be seen in that part of the forest again.

Copyright © Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved.

INSPIRATION MONDAY ~ A prompt response for “INSPIRATION MONDAY:” ~ "ANGELIC PERSUASION"

ANGELIC PERSUASION ~ 16 NOVEMBER 2015

17/11/2015

INSPIRATION MONDAY ~ A prompt response for “INSPIRATION MONDAY:” ~ "ANGELIC PERSUASION"

ANGELIC PERSUASION

by John Yeo

The imp was full of mirth at the task.
A wily old gnome had insisted that he could never get away with it, he would soon be found out by the children.
The imp was sure he could do it and get away with it. They have to believe in something they have never seen.

"I mean if you have never seen something, but you have been told that it may, exist. How do you know what it looks like? " Asked the imp mischievously.

"Aha!" said the gnome, "I will grant you a huge reward if you can pull it off and convince the first child you meet that you are an angel. I promise you and I will eat my hat if you do."

"Mr Gnome I will live to grow wings and see you eat your hat, you wait and see."

In the village at the edge of the magic wood, lived old Mrs Smithers and her granddaughter Susy. Granny Smithers was suffering badly from arthritis and was bedridden. Susy spent every spare minute looking after her granny and was very tired and worn out at the end of the day.
The imp was always around making life easy for Susy if he could. Magically leaving fruit and magical herbs, that Susy would use to care for her grandmother. The imp always hid from the little girl, and she often wondered who her mysterious friend was, who always seemed to disappear whenever she was around.

The old gnome was always taunting and teasing the little imp.
"When are you going to turn into an angel impy? How are you going to win the challenge if you waste time doing chores for others?"

"I'll see you eat you hat yet, old gnome, you wait and see, this challenge is a piece of cake!"
One shocking day Susy had a fall outside the cottage and hurt her leg, she suddenly woke up to find herself covered in leaves to keep her warm.

"Granny!" she shouted, "I have hurt my leg and I can't move."

Granny Smithers appeared at the door as if by magic smiling and assuring Susy that she was alright and not to worry.

Susy was stunned, "Granny, you can walk!"

Then she suddenly went back to sleep and the little imp appeared and plastered her leg with a herbal ointment, watched by the wily old gnome.

The gnome grinned and taunted the imp, "You are wasting your time impy, you will never win the challenge if you use up your time like that"

Suddenly Susy woke up stretched and started to walk to the cottage, where
She found Granny had passed away peacefully while she was asleep.

Susy cried and cried, until the little imp couldn't stand it any longer and came out of hiding. Susy saw him and suddenly understood.

"You are an angel the way you have taken care of us, an angel!"

The wily old gnome suddenly understood, and slowly began to eat his hat.

The imp went through a transformation as a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly and flew to the nectar in the flowers that were blooming around the cottage.

Copyright © Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved

THE REUNION ~ 11th November 2015

13/11/2015

Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers ~ Writing challenge.

Hosted by Priceless Joy.

The goal is to write a story between 100-150 words (give or take 25 words) based on the provided photo.

Image from Pixabay` Provided and credited by Priceless Joy

THE REUNION

by John Yeo

The Old Curiosity Shop was packed full of ancient memorabilia. Old Jake who ran the shop was always very friendly and willing to chat to passers-by.
He was a very great friend of ours, he would rush out of the shop whenever we passed. This was a Monday morning and he excitedly ran out of his shop to show us his mystery car.
"Hey you two! Look!"
We were astonished, parked next to Jakes cycle was the most amazing Minicar.
" I have a funny feeling, I know where this came from, It is my 70th. birthday today, and I have not heard from my wayward, wild-child for years. There was a ribbon placed on the radiator grill."
At that moment three Harley Davidson motorcycles roared by and as they passed there was a gleeful shout of, "Happy Birthday!" from the leading motor cyclist.
Then we jumped back quickly, as some fireworks exploded in a colourful display across the road from the shop.
The birthday party lasted all day, when Jakes mischievous son returned.

(175 WORDS)

COPYRIGHT © Written by John Yeo ~ All rights reserved.

<<Previous

Forward>>

AFTERNOON TEA ~ 9th DECEMBER 2015

MAN-TRAPS ~2nd DECEMBER 2015

Netherdoor ~December 1st, 2015

ELEMENTALLY, MY DEAR ~27th November 2015

ALIENS ~ 26TH NOVEMBER 2015

FORGOTTEN BUT NOT GONE ~ 20th. NOVEMBER 2015

THE QUESTION ~ 19TH NOVEMBER 2015

WHERE WOLF ~17TH NOVEMBER 2015

ANGELIC PERSUASION ~ 16 NOVEMBER 2015

THE REUNION ~ 11th November 2015

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