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 the picture (below).
Al’s photo prompt this week made me think of Fireball XL5, a children’s television program from back in the days when Queen Victoria was just a wee lassie. It has the best theme music, and lyrics, of any TV program ever – see link at end of story.
I have no earthly excuse for what I wrote.
Click on this link to enter your tale, and to see what others have written.
© Al Forbes
Click here to hear the author read this very short story:
Toys
The children will come back.
They always come back.
They will love me as they always do.
I will give them pleasure, as I always do.
I know what children want.
I know what they think will make them happy.
And I know what they are prepared to give in return.
The things that make me happy.
I never take anything that they cannot live without.
So Susie gave me her smile.
Laura gave me her love.
And Benny gave me his soul.
They, of course, are never happy.
I am.
Because teddy bears never grow old.
I wait patiently, contentedly, among the other toys at the bottom of this big cardboard box until they come back.
Sometimes it takes a while.
The last time was almost twenty years.
But, I know, the children will come back.
Sound Bite Fiction 
Heheh, that’s cute!
Check out my latest article on the 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗶𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗹𝗹 https://unpluggedcreations.com/2017/10/06/barbie/
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Wow that’s one disturbed and creepy teddy bear. I think that’s one you need to burn. Great story though, no one would suspect him of course. Hugs CE. Have a great week!
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Very profound
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Beautiful! Loved it!
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Thank you, ma’am.
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They, of course, are never happy.
I am.
this above line is a giveaway .
Enjoyed the FireBall XL5. In my schooldays(in mumbai) it was telecast on Sunday morn and me and my sibling waited for the show to start. Down memory lane.
https://ideasolsi65.blogspot.in/2017/08/alien-thoughts.html
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It was certainly a big clue, wasn’t it!
Glad you enjoyed your memories.
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Reminds me of a recurring theme in the Toy Story movies, how children love their toys but then grow up and ignore them.
I loved Fireball XL5 as a kid, especially Robert the Robot and how the nose of the ship could become a lander. I’m still a sucker for the opening theme.
“Ready Venus?”
“Ready Steve.”
Fun fact: In one of the episodes, Steve sang the ending theme song for the show, which very briefly was on pop radio of that era.
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Have not seen the Toy Story movies, James, but that was not my point.
Great song, isn’t it!
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I guess I saw in your story the fact that in every relationship there’s always someone who loves and then there’s the one who is loved and how the one that is loved gets to absorb and retain the better of emotions . Sorry, I am not that articulate . 🙂
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You are almost there, Moon. Teddy Bear takes, or absorbs, from the children and then they never have it again.
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Sad, to think about the teddy bear’s lot in life. But still, I was relieved the ending was sweet and poignant; when I read that Benny gave him his “soul” I got a bit worried about what direction you were going!
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You were right to worry, Joy, the ending tells of the predator, waiting.
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They, of course, are never happy. That line suddenly took my mind in a different direction. An intriguing tale and one to ponder.
Click to read my story
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Well picked up, Keith.
How can anyone be happy without a smile, without love, without a soul?
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Beautiful!
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Thank you, Reena
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A sweet story Reminds me of the Old Bear books
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Thanks, Al, but not so sweet if you look at what Teddy takes from the children.
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Don’t all teddy bears do that though? Or is it just the Annabelle ones?
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At first I thought it was going to be the thoughts of a deity. The teddy bear was better.
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Thanks, Michael, but I can see where you could think that up to a point. Cheers
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Such a deeply poignant tale so full ofnostalgia. You transported me straight back to my childhood as i do hope others who read your beautiful piece would do so.
Brilliant writing, Ceayr.
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Thank you, Neel, but there is a dark side to this too, my friend.
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