Friday Fictioneers is hosted by the wonderful Rochelle, the undisputed master of what I call Sound Bite Fiction.
She sets the weekly challenge, and the standard.
This week’s dizzying photo is provided by Sandra Crook, who is probably in the top two writers on FF.
The idea, as always, is to write a story of around 100 words based on the picture, below.
Copyright Sandra Crook
Vertigo
Vertigo is not funny.
Not for a yellow-legged gull.
I soar through the heavens, glide on thermals, swoop and dive with joy into the sea.
No problem.
But, perched on the cliff face, I am terrified.
Illogical?
Well, clearly.
If I fall, I will fly.
But when I am in my nest I sit with eyes tight shut, rigid with fear.
My family and friends find this hilarious, mess with my mind, jostle me until I fly away to get peace.
I rarely sleep.
But guess what!
Suddenly everything is different.
My chicks have hatched.
I am afraid of nothing.
Sound Bite Fiction 
Playfully charming with fanciful sprinkles in every word. An unveiling of what’s to come
for this new mother helped develop a steadfast balance. I liked this very much, Ceayr.
Isadora 😎
LikeLike
Treaty perspective and nice turning point at the end.
LikeLike
Glad you liked it, Joseph.
Your visits are always appreciated.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
Well done! So many levels for understanding!
LikeLike
Thank you, Roger.
It started with a comic idea and then grew its own wings.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I understand what you are saying. Those are my exact feelings! 🙂
Lily
LikeLike
Glad my story connected with you, Lily.
Thanks for your comment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m the opposite. It’s when the chicks hatched that I learned fear. Little buggers keep trying to throw themselves out of the next before they learn to fly.
LikeLike
We are all different, I guess, Alice.
Thank you for your visit.
LikeLike
Yes, families can be quite unpleasant. They do tend to bother us out of our nests, don’t they? Well said.
LikeLike
Laughing here.
‘bother us out of our nests’ – beautifully expressed!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is probably the best take on this weeks prompt I have read yet. I love this! How funny and cute …well written. Poor bird. I can empathize with him though, as I am terribly afraid of heights.
LikeLike
Now that is huge praise indeed.
Unless, of course, I am your first port of call!
Interesting that you saw my gull as ‘him’, I had her in mind as the mother of the chicks.
But no matter, I am glowing at your kind words and very happy at how much you liked it.
Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
CE, this one is just brilliant! I love the playful tone and the wonderful rhythm of the piece. Great job!
LikeLike
Brilliant, playful, wonderful and great.
You write the best comments anywhere, Dawn!
Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I write what I feel, CE… I’m glad it makes you happy. 😉 You are very welcome.
LikeLike
Such a creative take on this prompt. And a delightful expression of that all-important truth that when we finally quit focusing on and worrying about ourselves and put someone else first, our whole life changes.
LikeLike
Thank you, Sandra.
Some life changing moments sneak up and surprise you, while others you know about 9 months in advance.
LikeLike
Oh, just wait until those chicks become teenagers. Then vertigo will be the least of her worries.
LikeLike
Not only that, Russell, but with a lifespan of less than 20 years, they are teenagers for a huge portion of their time.
Poor Mama!
LikeLike
This is truly delightful and as an admirer of that absurd bird the seagull (we share a liking for Dorset scones and cream) I’m going to take it quite literally.
LikeLike
The yellow-legged gull is a dedicated parent, most certainly.
Those that I met in the West of Scotland rarely mentioned Dorset scones and cream, I have to say.
Glad you enjoyed.
LikeLike
I love the image of a seagull that is sitting petrified in the nest because of heights 🙂 nice take on the prompt, and very nicely written!
LikeLike
Thank you, Angie.
I am glad your imagination filled in the blanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
nice job! Poor Sea Gull
LikeLike
Thank you.
And she is happy, she is a mum!
LikeLike
parenthood is a life-changer indeed. nice take on the prompt. 🙂
LikeLike
Glad you liked it, Plaridel.
Thanks for your time again.
LikeLike
Lovely story. Having kids can be life-changing (so I hear)!
LikeLike
Glad you enjoyed story, sir.
And yes, a little person is quite a responsibility,
LikeLiked by 1 person
C- I like it. Very “Jonathan Seagull” The writing is excellent.
Why is the gull not terrified of the chicks falling? I think the real terror in life starts with the birth of your first offspring.
LikeLike
Thank you for your comments, Tracey.
Please note:
1. The gull is confident of her parenting skills
2. I do not have a C for Crit!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oops, that C was for compliment. What do you have against Jonathan Livingston Seagull?
LikeLike
Ah, C-onfusing, as it also stands for the ConCrit group and is my first initial!
Not sure I understand your question re JLS.
I read the book about 40 years ago, and have no lasting memory of it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad we cleared up the confusion about the C’s. And JLS … never mind I was just teasing you about not wanting compliments but that doesn’t mean that I will stop. 😏
LikeLike
You certainly fooled me; great job, great writing. And I like the title too, but where is Jimmy Stewart?
LikeLike
Thanks, Perry, happy you enjoyed.
Jim muttered something about meeting Liberty Valance for a couple of shots.
LikeLike
Ah yes……..parenthood shifts the attention. Of course with the young chicks, sleep will be even less but there certainly will be no time for vertigo! Leaning over the abyss of parenthood to come….we can be frozen in fear…how will I do it…am I ready…can I fly….and then — like it or not — the chicks are here and the leap is done — and we fly! Really like this take on the photo.
LikeLike
This really took you there, didn’t it, Lillian?
I love it when a reader gets so into a story.
Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
yes….I read it three times! Enjoyed it very much and caught “layers” in each reading! 🙂
LikeLike
Awww! Very nice. I like this one.
LikeLike
Cool, I am glad.
LikeLike
This is perfection. Once those babies are born, we have no time to be afraid!
LikeLike
I can just see you as Momma Bear!
And thank you for ‘perfection’, wow!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
This is absolutely a perfect view of what growing up means… there is a sense of reaching a goal.. I like the way you gradually brought me to understand the story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very kind words,Bjorn.
Life has many defining moments, don’t you think?
LikeLike
It does, but often it’s just afterwards you realize it…
LikeLike
… just too late…
LikeLike
Fantastic. And next is the big flight from the nest, chicks guided and protected by mum. Nature, dontcha just love it!
LikeLike
I do, Patrick.
It is a big beautiful world.
LikeLike
So many possible meanings here. I think its up to the reader to decide.
LikeLike
And I am sure you will, Dawn!
Always good to see you here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love those last two lines. Good one.
LikeLike
But the first 14 were rubbish!
Thank you.
LikeLike
Heh. Looks like we both had freedom and flying on our minds this week. I love this, for its imagery, and the deeper meaning. Freedom can come in many forms when you know where to look.
LikeLike
Indeed, GaH.
I am glad that it spoke to you on so many levels.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment.
LikeLike
He seems a bit gullible?
Good piece.
LikeLike
Just another story of how boy meets gull…
LikeLiked by 2 people
LOL
LikeLike
Love it! Love it! Love it! That was a great perspective to take on this picture! I’m still laughing at the image of a terrified gull.
LikeLike
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Always good to make someone laugh.
LikeLike
Very creative take. Lovely piece.
LikeLike
Thank you, sir, happy you enjoyed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Merveilleuse ton histoire!
Sandra a tout dit déjà.
Bravo!
LikeLike
Merci, Em, tu es trop gentille.
LikeLike
I find this quite lovely. What a great message in the last line.
LikeLike
Thank you very much, I am happy you enjoyed it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good story, C.E. It’s humorous in some ways yet also has a deeper meaning. I would guess it’s all about the fact that parenthood can bring a sense of responsibility and new coping skills. Well done. Clever use of the prompt. .:) — Suzanne
LikeLike
Thank you, Suzanne, I am glad you took so much from this.
A mother’s love is a powerful force.
LikeLike
Oh I love this. Very creative.
LikeLike
I love your comment.
Very kind.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a creative writing dear Ceayr, I loved this gull 🙂 Thank you, love, nia
LikeLike
I am sure the gull loves Nia too.
Hugs
LikeLiked by 1 person
This certainly struck a chord with me, though whether it was the one you intended, I’m not sure. Sometimes families can represent the very antithesis of what they’re supposed to be, (not intentionally either) and these few lines capture that beautifully. I always know I’m going to find something thought provoking when I come to your site CE. Good job, well done, and thanks for your comment. 🙂
LikeLike
I am very happy that my little analogy resonated with you, Sandra.
And I am beaming at your kind words.
LikeLike
Dear C.E.
As someone who’s terribly afraid of heights, I empathized with this poor gull. You’ve given me something to smile about on this cold morning. Clever and well written.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Your words of praise warm my winter, dear friend.
LikeLike
Oh, my friend. I absolutely love this. A synopsis of life. You are a very gifted man. (Fully aware I am the first again … You were first in my Reader … We are in sync I do believe!)
LikeLike
Ah, Belinda, thank you for your too kind words.
You saw through my subtle analogy!
And, dear lady, if we are in sync, then I suspect at least one of us is sunk.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Or on the drink or drunk.
LikeLike
This is an alcohol-free blog.
But not life, Beaujolais Nouveau last week!
LikeLike
I’d assume that race is similar to the race we have down our local pub for any marked down water damaged beer cartons. (Just in case you had any misgivings that I had any sort of class or culture…) 😝
LikeLike
No, sweetheart, I know you are Australian!
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL!
LikeLike