AnElephantCant pretend he is perfect
But he usually writes the exact number of words
Sadly this week he blunders
Uses way more than 100
But it gives him an excuse for this execrable verse
Once again it is Friday Fictioneer time.
Presented weekly by pedal-pushing Rochelle, Tour leader to a peloton of superb cycling storytellers.
And AnElephant.
The idea is to write a very short story, circa 100 words, based on this picture prompt (below).
That’s it.
Copyright Jennifer Pendergast
Bicycle Pumped
Although he is no longer young, he still gets a thrill from speed.
So he hurtles downhill into the busy roundabout with the wind in his teeth and a smile on his face.
His bicycle is almost as ramshackle as he is, and functions only marginally better.
So when he applies his brakes he knows immediately he is in trouble.
Because nothing happens, his cable is floating loose.
But he is famously fearless, almost to the point of insanity.
Or perhaps stupidity.
So he aims his front wheel at the tiny gap between the school bus and the German caravan.
He estimates that he has about 5 centimetres to spare on either side.
He explodes into laughter as, still at full speed, he careers through the gap.
And sees the dog.
Sound Bite Fiction 
Love the last line. Unique response to the prompt. Well done, Lucy
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Thank you, lovely Lucy, AnElephant is delighted you enjoyed.
And he does try to take a slightly skewed view of prompts, as of life!
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I’m sure I could provide pointers on where to cut the word count but I’m far too busy laughing. Fantastic pacing, great detail, and killer last line! 🙂
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AnElephant writes exactly 100 words 99% of the time.
He could have cut this quite a bit, but 100 was a stretch, so he just let it go.
Glad you enjoyed, happy you laughed, thank you for praise.
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Oh dear…what an intrepdid gentleman…but alas…the feathers I think will soon fly!
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Hmm, yes, intrepid but a bit of a numpty!
But no feathers on a dog or AnElephant!
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Ah..such so wise AnElephant!
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Had to be a German caravan… with dog to match??
Hope his tetanus is up to date!
Well done as always Elephant.
Dee
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Glad you enjoyed, Dee, and thank you for visiting and taking the time to comment.
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Fast moving ride, that. Sorry for the pooch.
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Thanks, Patrick, and AnElephant is now sorry he mentioned the stupid dog!
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That poor, poor dog!
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Oh, get over the wretched mutt!
What about the poor, poor Elephant?
Lovely to see you here, TFTM.
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My heart aches for the poor dog…
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Oh, Bjorn, you are such a big softie!
And, psst, don’t tell anyone, but the dog is okay, really.
The cyclist swerves and hits a queue of under-7s at the bus stop instead!
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Very well written and executed – I hope not the dog! Really lively and detailed and exciting to read. good job.
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AnElephant glows with pride, Lindaura, thank you.
Happy you caught the mood!
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Nifti thinks he’ll be tumbling down the stairs, pooch, safely out the way. Poor bike.
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The bike survives unscathed, due to the fact it is fictitious!
Thank you for taking the time to visit, much appreciated.
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You had me riding & smiling along with this crazy nut. 😉
I’m gonna’ let my imagination take this tale & the pup’s tail to a safe ending. A close one – but safe. Whew!
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Haha. I Like your imagination, Rosy.
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Crazy nut, RoSy?
What a way to talk about your dear friend!
And you can, of course, apply your imagination in any way you choose.
Hugs
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Dear Elephant, Great story as always and poor doggie – either going to doggie heaven or a pet hospital. I really enjoy your entertaining mind – You are so funny and talented! Nan 🙂
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Ah dear, sweet Nan, always concerned about the underdog!
Entertaining? Funny?? Talented???
Your cheque is in the post, lovely lady!
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Reminds me of the cyclists in London, whose risk-taking takes my breath away. A thrilling ride!
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AnElephant does not cycle in big cities, he is a big scaredy-cat!
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This wild ride was worth the extra words, Elephant.
Cheers!
MG
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AnElephant thanks you, and is relieved he is not banished to the Sahara for his profligacy!
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Ouch! Poor pooch….
Great story, great imagery! I felt a kinship with this offbeat character whose body and possessions are deteriorating at the same quick pace!
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Thank you, lovely Jan, AnElephant appreciates your understanding!
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Ouch.
I hope the dog could manage a quick nip of his ankles before he gathered his limbs (and his pride) and sped off into the horizon.
A delightful read, as always! 🙂
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Oh, really!!
Are you suggesting violence on AnElephant’s blog?
Unheard of!
Thank you for visiting and commenting, as always.
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Oh I wouldn’t dream of it! 😉
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Famously fearless, love that.
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Translates as ‘desperately dumb’!
Thank you.
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This reminds me of something that happened to a much younger co worker of mine last week. Was there a young lady nearby watching? 😉
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Une tres jolie mademoiselle?
No.
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Poor dog! I loved the way you created a vivid word-picture, Elephant, and the “functions marginally better” line was my favourite
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AnElephant’s trunk is all in knots here, he is so thrilled with your praise.
And he likes that line too, although it is sadly close to the truth!
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I could picture the scene and was laughing as I read 😉
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Oh Helen, so lovely but so callous!!!
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typo? careers/careens
Look out for the dog! I loved this.
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Nope, careers is the word AnElephant chooses.
careens is subtly different.
Very happy you enjoyed.
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Thanks for the new vocabulary word!
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Entertaining read as always!
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Thank you, dear lady, happy to see you here again.
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🙂
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What we are left to imagine after this story is just brilliant!
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Aw shucks, AnElephant goes all pink now!
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Good use of words to make this story fly! What a wonderful old man.
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Hey, less of the ‘old’!
Thank you for kind words, glad you are entertained.
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Gosh, I hope the dog’s okay. But really, how do you not notice the break line on your bike has come loose.
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Ah, don’t fret, dear lady, the dog is fictional.
And how?
Just be like AnElephant!
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Le pauvre chien! But a fun story despite the dog’s fate!
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C’est la vie! UnElephant est content que tu le trouves amusant.
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Such a fine line between insanity and stupidity that it’s hard to tell the difference sometimes. I think maybe this guy is a mixture of the two. Poor dog, though.
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AnElephant is too insane too understand your comment here, Adam!
But what is the wretched chien doing on le rond-point in the first place?
Just so French!!!
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Génial 😀
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Merci, trop gentille, comme d’hab.
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YIKES! The best laid plans of mice and men and dogs gang aft a-glay. Oh well …
Nailed it, Elephant … just like the boy and his dog! 😀
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Thank you, sir.
Yes, sometimes stuff happens!
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Elephant, That was hilarious. I laughed out loud. XD Acutally, I would feel sorry for the dog if he was real. Great story once again. 🙂 —Susan
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The dog isn’t real?
Phew, that is a relief!
(And thank you for the praise, AnElephant is pink again).
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Dear AEC,
Hot Dog! A great last line at the end of a whimsical tale.
Aloha,
Doug
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Dear Doug
Hamburger!
Thank you, happy to entertain, and always good to see you here.
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Oh my, been there, done that. Lived to tell. 😀
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AnElephant is happy.
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And as he sees the dog, wha… wha… what happens? I can’t bear to look… or even think.
Great narrative and the twist in the end.
Shakti
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AnElephantCant tell wha… wha… what happens.
He is already over his word count, and Rochelle is not called Ruthless Roc for nothing!
But happy you enjoyed.
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Haha that is going to be a crunch and munch LOL. Great story 🙂
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Hmm, you are right, not looking so promising, is it?
But tune in for next week’s thrilling episode ……
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Ooh I look forward to it 🙂
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You have done it again! I stopped breathing when he sees the dog! I slammed on the brakes too.
Great take on a prompt AnElephant.
Encore une fois, ce sont les details que tu donnes qui menent le lecteur au coeur de ton recit. Vraiment genial!
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Hopefully the dog doesn’t!
Merci, Cherie, et n’oublies pas de rerespirer!
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Ahhh.
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A pacy narrative… Like the way that person runs his bicycle!
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Yeah, well, he ain’t too smart, but he is fun!
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Dear Elephant,
I see a collision of spokes, fur and fleas on the horizon. I so wanted to put on the brakes. Up to speed as always. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Pertinent and amusing, m’lady, AnElephant thanks you for your kindness.
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