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).
This week’s “aw how cute” little pic by Al took me back a decade, to the first children’s book I wrote. I apologise in advance for the drivel it generated.
Click on this link to enter your tale, and to see what others have written.
© Al Forbes
Please click here to hear this piece read aloud in the most unimaginably appalling French accent:
The Fox’s Tale
Let me tell you who I am, they call me Phil the Fox
I am sad to tell you that I live in an old wet cardboard box
I live here in the city, I have to eat stale bread and buns
I would prefer life in the country but the farmers all have guns
My father wasn’t born here, he had to run away from France
He very stupidly stole a chicken from a man on a horse with a lance
It isn’t easy for a fox always living rough
It isn’t easy finding food, we never have enough
I would rather eat the gourmet meals, maybe frogs legs or gateau
I would like also to live well in a castle or chateau
Most people don’t like foxes, they prefer dogs or cats
But let me tell you, mes amis, we are much tidier than rats
I am a little naughty because I like to be amused
I like to play the little tricks and make the people quite confused
That’s why I write this poem because you see, my dears
It is Sunday morning once again and I have no original ideas
That was great. I love it. Gave me smiles
Wonderful poem. Very good for drivel. 😉
In a former life, he was a pet at one of Hugh Hefner’s Playboy Mansions, but he wouldn’t stop chasing the bunnies.
I am surprised at a gentleman of your dubious, even seedy background thinking that one might find a Pet chez Mr Hefner!
But good to see you here, Russell.
It is original and brilliant and therein rests the case. Great work, CR.
I have no response to this, Neel, except a rather inadequate Thank You.
You are most welcome. You are deserving of all praise, CR.
I read this yesterday but held back from commenting as I wanted to try to be witty (maybe something about “foxxerel”, i.e. doggerel about foxes, or about Julia Donaldson being worried about a pretender to her throne), but I was obviously going nowhere with that. Then I thought I would try to respond in rhyme. More than 24 hours on I’ve given up. Writing poetry is hard and I now recognise your piece is not just funny, but pretty darn clever! I salute you.
Thank you for the kind words.
I will let my alter ego respond here, I think:
AnElephantCant create a good rhyme
He knocks out all this rubbish in a hurry
He is no Dr Seuss
He is much too obtuse
And Julia Donaldson has no reason to worry
Or you could try this:
https://anelephantcant.me/2016/10/31/halloween-scottish-style/
There you go, making me feel inadequate all over again.
Dear Santa, p!ease may I have a rhyming dictionary instead of a Toblerone this year?
Don’t fret about it, he has been doing it for years and he has no other discernible talent. If he wasn’t pink he would have been long forgotten, but ladies keep giving him peanuts. What can you do, hmm?
Funny last line — but it seems like you had a good idea, after all!
I am never short of ideas, Joy, but ‘good’ is much more debatable!
😀
Sometimes an old story will just insist on being retold, and is often better for it.
Let’s go with that, Michael!
I giggled all the way through your poem! I loved it!
Then I am happy, Rosemary
Lovely verse, CE. You should link this one up with poetry soundboards like dVerse.
Perhaps, but I don’t really do poetry, I leave that to my alter ego!
Have you checked out the Songs tab above?
Don’t sell yourself short. That is quite original.
Laughing. What do you mean ‘quite’!
I’m reminded that coyotes live in the city of San Francisco, so this isn’t too far off.
There are foxes in Glasgow
With the right illustrator to collaborate with that could be a success. Certainly more entertaining than we of the books I have to read my kids.
Bang on! CE, that’s a solid idea.
Thank, Iain, very kind. Stick to Dr Seuss and Julia Donaldson and you won’t go far wrong!
For somebody with no original ideas, this poem is quite a feat! Well done, really enjoyed that!
Thanks, Angie, always a delight to hear from you