AnElephantCant deny it
Trees are just about his favourite things
He is a bit too big
To sit on high twigs
But he may try it if he has wings
He has good reason to love them
This is not a load of bunk
He keeps this brief
But it is his be-leaf
That it’s nice to cuddle a trunk with his trunk
The idea of Friday Fictioneers is to write a very short story (100 words) based on a picture prompt (below).
That’s it.
From Scott Vanatter with permission-Copyright- Indira
The children don’t play here so much these days.
I remember when they used to swing from ropes tied to branches.
When they hung sheets and blankets for tents, played at Cowboys and Indians.
When they climbed up, pretending to be pirates sailing the seven seas.
Then Benny, no, Bernie, decided to build a tree-house.
Carried that wood all the way up the hill, brought his dad’s best hammer and those long, sharp nails.
I wasn’t quite so keen on that, thought an accident could happen.
Well, they thought it was an accident when my branch bent under his foot.
Sound Bite Fiction 
I loved your introductory poem – happy tree hugging. The tree in your story has a great voice and pov. But what happened to Bernie – a broken neck, or just an arm?
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Whoops!
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Oh, did you fart?
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good one — letting the dark side out I see.
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We all have it, don’t we?
Thanks for kind words.
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All of this is so good. I began to wonder when I saw the part about “those long sharp nails.” A great bit of personification here. The tree did not want the tree house encroaching on its apace.
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Thanks, Joe, praise indeed.
Yep, those nails were just a step too far.
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Dark ending – I had to re-read it a few times to make sure. I never would have expected the tree to take such revenge!
Very clever twist.
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Ah well, we all have our breaking point.
Glad you liked it.
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Your story explained very well why anellephant thinks “it’s nice to cuddle a trunk with his trunk”..
Cos it is it’s be-leaf that trees instil justice in the end.. Even if by accident 🙂
Interesting story from the other point of view. Nicely done!
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Thank you, very kind.
And very glad you enjoyed.
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Chalk up one for the trees! But it is too bad the kids weren’t playing around it like they used to. I enjoyed the story — and the poem, too. That last line of the poem is fantastic!
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Glad you liked the story and the poem.
AnElephant is happier in rhyme,
He goes back to it every time.
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Ohhh, very nice! A Lady can’t help but wonder, where all the kids are today. However, she does a friend still, who invites her up to her tree house, that her father built when she was a kid. That limb, is still standing!
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Thank you.
Perhaps the kids play somewhere less dangerous?
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I believe the kids are all inside playing video games and watching TV!
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Love this! A tree can only put up with so much.
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C’mon the trees!
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You reminded me of another story I read where a ‘parent’ tree was teaching a ‘youngster’ the art of ‘looming’…you know when trees get bigger and then smaller as we pass them in our ‘cars’. But the ‘looming’ doesn’t work anymore when a car looses control and bob’s you in your trunk.
Nice write – Thanks for your visit.
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AnElephant is fascinated by Jules’ ramblings!
Thank you for your comments, always entertaining.
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Just in case you missed my missive…
Please know this; on my WP site…
(I also know others have trouble too – So sorry that others spoil the view…I hope to change that back once the dust settles…)
Dear Sweet AnElephapntCant
all comments are just first hidden from view
Not at all because of you…
I’ve had some issues with sort of trolly type things
So I’ve had to clip their wings
Which is quite unfortunate that my
True friends and honest humble beings
have trouble seeing what they write, right away…
Any time you wish to converse
Do e-mail me with a verse
But fear not…as once and soon as I am able
I will make visible that which seemed to have
been swallowed by the ether net…
Those words so kind and bold, are just on hold…
You must know I you are as a friend, one of the best!
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AnElephantCant stop smiling
He now starts to comprehend
He is no longer stressed
He is a most welcome guest
And he is so happy that Jules is his friend
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Enjoyed both very much.
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Very happy, AnElephant’s day is worthwhile!
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I’m on Bernie’s side I’m afraid – I love treehouses! Great story 🙂
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Well, of course, we all do – except for the trees!
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I, too, like the poem as much as the story–both very well done.
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Big thanks twice over, very happy you enjoy them.
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haha that tree is awesome.. accident indeed ^^ and your intro’s always just as great as the stories
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Glad you enjoy the rhymes as well as the story.
AnElephantCant help trying to be fun.
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I love me a tree with dark humour! well done.
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Thank you, AnElephant loves all trees.
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Nicely done. The tree clearly got the last word! 🙂 xx
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Thank you.
Dare AnElephant say that the tree’s bark was worse than his bite!
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A cleaver story. The poem was also cleave with your tree puns. Bravo!!
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Aah, you spotted that!
Groans are allowed, of course.
AnElephant loves bad puns.
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Enjoyed the poem and story. Nice to learn it was from the tree’s POV at the end. Clever.
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Thank you, very glad you enjoyed both bits.
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sounds like Bernie had a mean streak – enjoyed the details
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Well, boys will be boys.
Happy you enjoyed,
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Your best story so far and just a good story overall. I like they way you slipped the tree-as-narrator in at the very end.
janet
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Wow, high praise indeed.
Thank you so much.
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Really liked your poem and your story. A great take on the prompt and a tree telling the story – brilliant idea
Dee
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Got me thinking about the whomping willow… great story
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Thanks, Bjorn, glad you enjoyed.
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Great post again.. really enjoying this journey through poems with you…
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You just like to be scratched behind your ears!
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I loved the elephant poem
the tree reminds me of a grandparent who loves kids to a point
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Glad you liked the poem,
But gosh, your grandparents must have been mean!
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The tale is masterfully crafted–
This much is clear and right true.
But Tilde’s confused.
Is Wednesday the new
Friday or did she sleep through?
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AnElephantCant hide his confusion
He is not sure if Tilde plays games
Wednesday or Friday
It is all quite untidy
When Matilda has so many names!
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Matilda
Aya
Christina
Katherine
Emerald
Renata
Elouise
Lalique.
It is difficult to choose,
Mackerel will do.
🙂
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Hee hee!You couldn’t resist I see! Well done, and so quick!
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Yep, it is addictive!
Glad you liked.
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Strange, the tree not wanting people pounding nails into it. 🙂 Hopefully they got the point.
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Well, Bernie did!
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Nothing like a little sarcasm from a tree…can’t blame him really…nails?! Excellent little story and poem to boot!
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Ah yes, the rhymes are AnElephant’s trademark!
Thank you.
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A witty story from the elephant ! 🙂
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Thank you, happy it amused.
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You have your readers there. We don’t know it is the tree till the end:) a good story
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Thank you, glad you enjoyed.
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Awesome 🙂
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Thanks, Alastair!
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You’re welcome
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Dear Elephant,
Guess that tree didn’t care to have a house in his branches. Good bit of story telling.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you, Rochelle.
Most kind.
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Fantastique! And here is why you are a genial storyteller: “Then Benny, no, Bernie…” The gift is in the details; they allow suspension of disbelief. Chapeau!
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Merci, devant toi, je m’incline.
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Double reverence mon ami. 🙂
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Loved the poem and the story. A tree telling a story, with a hint of … yes, I think so.
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Thank you so much for kind words.
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