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).
Al’s expert photo of a delicate and beautiful flower makes me think of sunshine.
But I am still in Scotland, so it is but a distant memory.
Click on this link to enter your tale, and see what others have written.
Copyright Al Forbes
Click here to hear me read this short story (1 minute 20 seconds):
The Wind
The wind is growing steadily stronger.
There was none when we landed.
We saw the treetops sway gently in the turbulence caused by our ship.
The planet is earth-like, verdant.
But with one very strange difference.
There are no animals.
By this I mean no mammals, no birds, no insects.
There is not a living creature on land or in the air.
We have not yet checked the ocean depths, but there is no sign of life in the rivers or ponds.
The wind is almost gale force now.
This is clearly unusual, because trees and shrubs are losing their leaves, and flowers their petals.
Topsoil is being blown off the steeper slopes, exposing roots, leaving saplings and bushes clinging on desperately.
We get word that Rick Malone has disappeared into a sharp gulley.
It seems to me that there are two possible reasons.
Maybe our arrival upset some delicate natural balance.
Or, perhaps, the planet simply does not want us here.
Sound Bite Fiction 
Oh…added bonus to listen. Thanks.
And the whole mystery of unwelcome…reminds me of a computer game I tried to solve that was of a lone man who loved puzzles.
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Most definitely one of my favourites of yours so far! I find it spectacular how you manage to uncover mysterious new worlds in just a few lines. 🙂 So cool!
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A fascinating piece CE. You have my mind going in all directions, and you’ve told so little of the ‘horror story’ which could be beginning for the new human disturbance. You used the word “verdant” and it made me pause a long while. Things are so so green and lush here, but no animals to hide or make homes in it. No bees to pollinate flowers. Missing a huge gap in the process of ‘nature’ herself. I’m wondering why and how there is that gap, why seasons turn but no creatures are seen. Perhaps, there are creatures unseen, are perhaps, as you say, the planet doesn’t want them. But exactly what on the planet? Or whom?
So many possibilities, this is one where a part 2 would be interesting.
Hugs my friend. I hope you are enjoying your summer.
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I am laughing at the thought of your ‘mind going in all directions’, Amanda, you are usually so focussed!
Seriously, I am delighted that this piece did get you pondering so many different questions.
Hugs to you, my sweet friend, and I go home tomorrow, hooray!
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Thank you CE. Have a good trip home. I’m sure it will be nice to people back again. Lol. Yes,it does happen. I very much like when a piece of writing has many possibilities. It makes me think and wonder. Curiosity I think more than anything.
Hugs to you again 🙂
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Thought provoking. I adore the last line!
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All I can ask for.
But no doubt Graham has an explanation.
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The future of our planet if things don’t change….
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It is certainly in the balance…
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When they heard the story, the cedar in the garden shivered, and a sprite straightened up with rapt attention. Then wondered at possibilities…
Superb! I agree with Rochelle above.
I really like the pace and build up to the last line. Gasp.
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Perhaps the cedar can explain what happened?
Glad you enjoyed, Em.
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Very good. That last line says it all. I wonder if all earth-like planets are like this. As if they have a communication that causes them to shun humanity.
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Thanks, Al, glad to have you pondering stuff here, I do like to hurt your head!
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🙂
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Reminded me of Stranraer on a winter’s day.
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It is always winter in Stranraer, isn’t it?
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Dear CE,
This reads like the beginning or even the epilogue to a Twilight Zone, one of my favorite programs of all time. Wonderful descriptions and structure to the biting last line that whips through a person with gale force.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Many thanks for the fulsome praise, m’lady.
I too loved the Twilight Zone.
Maybe one day…
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