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).
I have taken this week’s prompt, which I guess is his own work, quite literally, for once.
Click on this link to enter your tale, and to see what others have written.
© Al Forbes
Click here to hear the author read his words:
Cat and Mouse
This place is magnificent.
We are not far from Vancouver BC, hiking through a forest of towering trees.
‘Did you hear that?’ we both ask.
And we stare up at the rock to our right.
There it is.
A cougar.
It growls again, a low rumbling sound that turns my knees to jelly.
I push her behind me.
‘See if you can find something I can use as a cudgel,’ I whisper, somewhat frantically.
‘A what?’ she says.
‘What?’ I say.
‘What do you want me to find?’
‘A big stick,’ I shout, exasperated, ‘A club, a bat, something I can use to defend us against this monster!’
She stares at me, unmoving.
‘What did you think I wanted?’ I am nervous, yelling, waving my arms, ‘A spoon to make custard?’
‘No need to be like that,’ she pouts, ‘I didn’t know what you were talking about.’
Then she points.
‘Look!’
The great cat, tail low, ears flat on its head, is slinking away into the forest.
‘Hey, I scared it,’ I say, throwing my arms around her.
She pushes me aside.
‘I don’t like you,’ she scowls, turning her back, ‘You frighten me.’
Sound Bite Fiction 
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I think they met my ex-wife. I think I should have waved my arms around and looked for a cudgel when I first saw her lol.
Good story CE
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They were lucky the animal wasn’t hungry. They should have had a guide along in a wilderness area. There’s always a chance of running into a potentially dangerous animal. I also wouldn’t tent camp in an area where there are grizzly bears. It seems to be asking for trouble.Good writing, C.E. —- Suzanne
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Haha – this was funny!
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Thank you, Dahlia.
Do you ever worry about your psychological or emotional well-being?
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Well to tell you the truth, it’s been a while – nearly two no three hours…
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I hate to say it, but I think the couple was doomed anyway. If impending death isn’t enough to prevent an argument, I’m not sure what is.
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You are such a sweetheart, Mandie, always the positive outlook!
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From what I’ve read, if you encounter a cougar, you are to lock arms to form a chain with everyone present, and back away. If you are alone, you are to open your jacket (or extend your arms if you don’t have a jacket) to appear larger, and back away .
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Yeah, thanks, but you are a bit late with the advice!
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The poor guy risked his life to protect her from the predator, and this is the thanks he gets? 🙂
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Yes sir, thank you!
The other comments below are so critical, but he did his feeble best!
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The cougar, like the friend, probably thought the guy was crazy, waving his hands and shouting. So the cat and the friend walked away. Entertaining story!
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What can I say, nobody’s perfect!
The best laid schemes o’ Mice and Men…
Happy you enjoyed.
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Hi CE. Vancouver is lovely place, I’m happy you liked it so much (from your poem). There are many many beautiful places in BC and in Alberta where I I live, if you enjoy the mountains and hiking. Most often Vancouver has nicer winters but right now they have it worse then we do lol.
I liked your story a lot, I was afraid that while they were arguing the cougar might get the couple, or one of them. But generally, like this cougar, they do slink off. It’s more worriesome to have one in a populated area b/c they are much more likely to go after pets are small children, especially if they are older and can’t find food as well. It’s more the bears that are worriesome in some cases. Great piece, love that you wrote about my home country. Hugs and hope you are doing well, CE 🙂
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Hello Amanda, and thank you for your usual concise comments!
But seriously, I love Vancouver, great city, great surrounding areas, and wonderful people.
My alter ego also did a Vancouver piece this week:
https://anelephantcant.me/2018/01/13/leaving-vancouver-blues-3/
Thanks for the hugs, returned as always, and I am doing fine.
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I’m so glad. I know I like it when I write u novel in the comments lol. I will definitely take a look at Pinky’s work.
Hugs
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Seems like he ended up scaring the person he was trying to protect — at least one of them misread the situation, but I can’t tell which one. Interesting ambiguity.
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Life is full of little misunderstandings, Joy.
Thanks for your visit.
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I was scared the last time I was approached by a cougar. Mind you she was quite tempting!
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Behave yourself, Keith!
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He seems a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde character. But I am not to sure about her either. They do not seem two of your nicest characters.
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Laughing. Just a bit nervous, understandably, and trying to be brave.
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I think the large cat saw him and thought he was not worth bothering with…
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Sussed he was from Glasgow, mebbe?
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🙂
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I am not really sure what your character would have done with a cudgel, had they actually found something like that. He seems a bit of a cowardly lion himself. Fun stuff here!
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Gosh, that is a bit harsh, Susan, he is trying to protect the lady!
Glad you enjoyed.
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