AnElephantCant believe it is Wednesday
He is filled once again with trepidation
He writes this little verse
Plus 100 words
And sits back in his chair and anticipation
Once again it is Friday Fictioneer time.
Hosted by the magnificent Rochelle, this is a gathering of writers from around the globe, a melange of cultures, ages, genders and ideas.
The idea is to write a very short story, circa 100 words, based on this picture prompt (below).
That’s it.
Copyright – Douglas M. MacIlroy
Clouds
As the sun finally disappears behind the mountains, he slips almost silently into the pool.
He is immediately aware of the dog, whose job it is to guard the people of the household, pawing nervously at the edge.
He reassures him softly in French, and the Alsatian obediently, if reluctantly, goes back inside.
He lies on his back, glorying in the sensation of cool water on hot skin, and notices the clouds pouring over the mountains.
In what seems like only an instant the rain comes thundering down, warm and perpendicular.
It is so different from the icy blast of his native land that he turns his face up to it, revelling in it, and fully aware that he is in paradise.
Everyone’s already said it in many different ways – paradise indeed! 🙂 xo
A French-speaking elephant yet! I love the fantasy of it all.
Nice story, AnElephant! It’s always a great experience to get away from where you grew up – if even for a short time 🙂 Ah, memories…
Dear AEC,
I was fascinated by your story and found myself immersed in its rhythms and feel. I want to hear more from this one. Where is he from and where was he swimming? This is good work.
Aloha,
Doug
Thanks, Doug, glad you found it so interesting.
Sadly, Rochelle will severely punish AnElephant if he exceeds his allotted 100 words.
But 2 clues:
Scotland
Provence
If it’s just a holiday, I hope it’s a long one. If it’s permanent, lucky man.
It reads beautifully. Greta rhythm in it.
Thank you for your kind words.
The intention is to be permanent, or as much as anything can be in this life.
Nice story. Wonder if he would like company? Or is the dog and rain enough?
AnElephant always welcomes a pretty lady with your culinary skills!
Thank you for your kind words.
You’ve captured the beauty of a memorable moment.
And, of course, set it free again, as all beautiful things must be.
Thank you for your very kind words.
Like everyone else, I too wish I was in that scene. Cool water on hot skin, I could almost feel myself slipping silently into the pool. Very well done.
Oh just jump in, Honie, everyone else has!
Glad you enjoyed AnElephant’s wee slice of life.
Oooooo fantastic write – still love your verses before your flash. This describes something I have experienced. Hot country – in pool – rain. Great! I like the fact you seem to have sneaked into somebody else’s pool!
Loved the opening line;
As the sun finally disappears behind the mountains, he slips almost silently into the pool
PS Since you left for France we have had a heat-wave!
How very kind of you, neenslewy (what kind of name is that?)
Very happy it gave you pleasure.
As for the heatwave, enjoy it while it lasts.
AnElephant is running low on charity!
Ha Ha @ low on charity – I can barely take more than a few weeks of heat so I will enjoy it every minute and then hope August will be just as good.-Neens is my nickname. Friends and family elongated my name years ago and it just stuck in email addresses and name option tabs 😉
That’s one thing I haven’t done this year … go swimming. I’m jealous, Elephant. A good story!
Just jump in, plenty of room.
AnElephant is not that fat!
And glad you liked his wee tale.
I love this one, Elephant. You’ve captured that moment in time — and the reader!
How very kind, Ms Tikel (or may AnElephant call you Mys?)
So happy you enjoyed the special moment.
Either works for me, Mr. Elephant.
Then AnElephant will call you Mys, and you can call him any time.
Groan!
What a lovely narrative!
Thanks, Jan, just happy you enjoyed it.
I wanted to be there.
Me as well!
Do you know Patti?
I know Patti Page (well, not in the “biblical sense.”) But PattiSJ and I have never been properly introduced, outside of a particular “coastal storm,” of course…
Troy, may AnElephant introduce you to the lovely Patti.
He wishes you both joy and happiness.
A pleasure, and I wish you the same!
But in the reverse order. You know, just so it doesn’t look like I’m merely mimicking (or dare I say “mirroring?”) you…
Do you know Troy?
I saw the name on Friday Fictioneers and a comment, but I don’t know Troy.
Patti, may AnElephant have the pleasure of introducing you to the charming Troy.
He wishes you both joy and happiness, and expects an invite to your wedding.
Settling in for a long rest it seems.
It is hot, it is tranquil, it is cool.
Just chilling, man, just chilling.
A beautiful setting and a mysterious character being there… an intriguing mixture here to make the reader wonder about what happened before the story.
AnElephantCant tell a lie.
Before the story there was a blank screen.
But many thanks for your praise, really appreciated.
very lovely 🙂 cool water on hot skin, sounds perfect to me
Yep, it is pretty neat, for sure.
Thank you, kz.
…” and there are times when the people and the hills and the earth, all, everything except the stars, are one, and the love of them all is strong like a sadness.” (Steinbeck)
Oui, c’est le paradis… dans ton coeur, le seul endroit qui compte.
Ton histoire est merveilleusement poetique. Merci encore une fois.
Ici, ce sont les montagnes et le vent qui sont poetiques.
C’est moi qui te remercie.
Nice work. You closed the story expertly. I look forward to reading more of your entries.
~Chris
Thanks, Chris, like to think you’ll drop in again.
Wow. I almost leaned my head back when he did but I had to keep reading!
AnElephant is happy that you caught the mood.
Thanks, Dawn.
Heavenly!
Le mot juste, RoSy!
Thanks for dropping by.
I remember nipping the brass rings for free rides…I wonder if they still do that?
Love the up and down critters in the outside rings. 🙂
C’mon, Jules, you’re in the wrong post here!
Too many sleepless nights with the new granddaughter?
But always a pleasure, regardless.
Hugs
That happens sometimes… I hit the comment option for the wrong post.
Cheese Whiz!
OK for this post then! Changing elements…you can tell who the tourists are, (when visiting warmer climes. They are the ones out in the middle of the day. The natives know better… in regards to Arizona and Florida that is – two places I’ve been.
Just wait until one/you get used to the weather… then like friends I have in south central California you’ll be waring scarfs and sweaters when it’s only 70F. 🙂
Lovely!!
janet
As is your comment!
Thank you.
A taste of Heaven! Gorgeous imagery, and an effective character sketch in very few words. I am wondering whether this person is on vacation, or is an expatriate? A good story leaves you wanting more – well done. 🙂
Recently left his homeland, probably forever.
Although he still goes back to visit his beautiful boy, of course!
Thank you for your comments.
Sounds idyllic. Nice one.
Then AnElephant did his job, because it was indeed idyllic.
Thank you, Sandra.
the verse painted a great picture 🙂
Thank you, glad you enjoyed.
You’ve painted a beautiful scene. I once saw a cloud-fall like in this story, where they were pouring over a mountain pass into the next valley. Very cool.
Thanks, David, clouds and mountains are some combination, nature at its most awesome.
If this is what paradise looks like, I don’t mind going there! Lovely!
It is on the Med.
Directions on request.
Thank you.
that describes paradise perfectly
It was pretty cool, yeah!
Dog? What if there was AnElephant pawing nervously at the edge?
Nice story 🙂
Elephants, in AnElephant’s experience, do not paw nervously.
They rhyme badly!
Thank you.
Dear Elephant,
You’ve captured my mermaid heart with this one. Very nicely done.
shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you, Rochelle, everyone needs to feel their inner mermaid sometimes.
Indeed. Check out my blog today
Oh beautifully done Sir Elephant. Lovely imagery. You have a way with words good sir. I love Wednesday evenings when the Friday fictions begin to roll in.
AnElephant loves it when summerstommy2 says all these wonderful things.
But whatever happened to summerstommy1?
Suffered an unfortunate end? Less said the better. The family no longer discuss the matter……shhhhhhhhh!
You can tell AnElephant, no one else ever comes here.
And his trunk is sealed.