Sunday Photo Fiction is a weekly challenge presented by my old friend Al Forbes.
The idea is to write a short story (200 word max) inspired by what you see in his picture (below).
This week’s happy family photo demonstrates once again Al’s love of birds.
Just saying.
But hey, at least they aren’t pigeons this time!
Click on this link to enter your tale, and see what others have written.
Copyright Al Forbes
Stage Fright
I am late.
The curtain goes up in just a few minutes and I am stuck in traffic.
I pull over to the side and start to run.
Coincidentally, the words of the opening number are also running.
Through my head.
I know every word, every note, every nuance.
I should, I have rehearsed it countless times in the past few weeks.
But tonight is the night.
The first live performance.
In front of a live audience.
I am excited and nervous.
And late.
I am panting now, chest and legs aching.
But I am almost there.
I turn into the alley at the side of the theatre, wheezing painfully.
I burst through the stage door, wave hello to Old Fred.
The orchestra strikes up the intro.
I slip through the curtain, and scan the faces in front of me.
He is there, looking concerned.
I lift a hand in salute and he grins.
I sit.
My grandson sings.
Five little ducks went swimming one day…
Sound Bite Fiction 
Loved that ending.
LikeLike
Thanks, Mike, happy you enjoyed.
LikeLike
Sweet story and so nicely written.
LikeLike
Thank you, a little feel good on occasion can’t be bad!
LikeLike
Oh, my! This is so delightful. I was tense and then smiling!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, I am smiling now!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome.
LikeLike
How sweet! I agree with the others, you’re just a softie!
LikeLike
Jings, a lifetime image, carefully created, shattered in a moment of weakness!
Happy you enjoyed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol! It’s okay.
LikeLike
Aw, unexpected Caeyr from what you typically write. I enjoyed it a lot. I loved it when my Grandpa came to my concerts as a little girl! Great piece.
LikeLike
Always expect the unexpected, Mandibelle, very happy you enjoyed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw. I liked the sweet surprise ending. Masterfully played, sir. Well done!
LikeLike
Thank you, sir, I do try to surprise you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the rush scene! Been there many times myself…living on edge. It’s so nice that he made it in time for the big event! 🙌
LikeLike
Thank you, JC, happy you enjoyed it.
LikeLike
I knew it! You are all sugar and sweetness deep…. very deep down inside!
You can’t fool me… xo
LikeLike
Well golly gosh!
The first piece of pure fiction I have written on here and everyone believes it.
Scrambled eggs all over my face.
What is a boy to do.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha ha! Bask in it!
LikeLike
Aw, what a sweet story! Great tension building up to such a happy ending, very nicely done.
LikeLike
I looked up “Five little ducks” to see if it was a real song. Which it is, as you obviously know. I had to watch the video all the way through, hoping for a happy ending to those poor missing ducklings. Whew! So now I have this nursery song stuck in my head. “Five little ducks went swimming one day…”
LikeLike
It is a great song.
Unlike the wretched ‘Wheels on the bus’ it has a plot!
When my pre-school grandson used to sing it to me, I would, each time, go through all the drama – oh no, what happened to the duckie – causing him amusement and then frustration as I interrupted his performance.
Eventually, by the time he was maybe nearly five, he would tell me ‘It is okay, they have just gone to the disco’ or such like.
He did not like to see me stressed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy you enjoyed it as much as I did!
LikeLike
Cute (sorry if someone’s already used that word but it sticks). No one got hurt or ‘deaded’ this week. Nice surprise but your style is true to form. I love how you do that.
LikeLike
Actually, everyone has used it, even Graham when he called earlier.
I thought of ‘deading’ the entire orchestra, but it seemed a bit extreme for one imperfect cymbalist.
And I am, sincerely for once, but please don’t get used to it, flattered by your comment re my style.
Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cheers!
LikeLiked by 1 person
such a cute tale, I like it!
LikeLike
I’m a cute guy.
Sometimes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really wondered where you were going with this one today. Always a surprise … and in this case, a pleasant one 🙂
LikeLike
I like to keep all (three of) my readers guessing.
But I am hurt at the suggestion that my surprises are generally unpleasant.
C’mon, Joanne, what’s a bit of murder and mayhem between friends?
LikeLike
But that’s just the point … I was expecting murder and mayhem!!
I should have known better that you would deliver the unexpected 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yup
LikeLike
I thought I would purposely pick a difficult prompt this week to see how it goes. You made a really good job of it.
LikeLike
Hey, Al, I just spoke to Al a minute ago.
Maybe I should get Pinky to talk to you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha yup.
LikeLike
Dear CE,
This one is incredibly adorable. Love it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Never again.
Incredibly adorable?
My reputation is in shreds.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. 😀
LikeLike
Oh wow. This brought a huge grin to my face. I love this.
LikeLike
Yeah, well, shucks.
(Shuffles feet).
Even I have a teensy soft spot.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Teensy … ? I think not. ♡
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hush, sweetheart, I have this on-line image…
LikeLike
Occasionally 🙂
LikeLike