Friday Fictioneers is hosted by the wonderful Rochelle, the undisputed master of what I call Sound Bite Fiction.
She sets the weekly challenge, and the standard.
This week’s soothing image comes courtesy of my favourite Fictioneer, the ultra-talented Sandra Crook.
The idea, as always, is to write a story of around 100 words based on this picture, below.
© Sandra Crook
Click here to hear the writer read his words:
Puff the Magic Dragon
I wander aimlessly along the beach until I reach the steep path leading upwards.
I am glad of my stout stick, a piece of driftwood shaped like a dragon.
Puff is my favourite song, the one I sing most often to my beloved grandson.
Darkness is now falling and, although I’m not far from the village, the area is deserted.
So I am surprised at the top to see a woman sitting on the seaweed-draped barrier, gazing out to sea.
Without thinking I swing Puff against the back of her head and watch her body tumble into the water below.
Whaaaat?!?! Every time I think how fun it would be to meet my FF writing friends, I read a story and think twice! Such a sweet tale, with such a dark, dark ending.
A side note: I am a HUGE fan of Peter, Paul and Mary. About 2 years ago I met Peter Yarrow (who wrote that song) at the airport. We talked for ages, and he has emailed me several times since. It was magic, indeed.
Oh, you sinister devil, you! Such a beautifully written opening, with a sweet, thoughtful description of the sea, of a happy family life … then, bang! Murder comes from nowhere. Though – as with many of your killers – it’s good to bear in mind many murderers are outwardly normal people with families and home lives and jobs. And very nasty hobbies. As always, written with aplomb and style
Laughing. I love ‘sinister devil’!
And ‘aplomb and style’ is pretty cool too.
You can come back any time, Lynn!
My pleasure, dear C. And you know I will drop by 🙂
Darkness was indeed falling. He seemed so normal. Excellent weaving of a story with an incredible twist, as always.
Normal? Who’s normal?
Thank you, Brenda, glad you enjoyed.
Good point. I’m certainly not normal …
What a horrific ending, you have some weird characters in your portfolio. Brilliantly done
Yep, you’re right, Mick, in my portfolio and in my head!
Cheers
Whoa! What’s his problem? Too much of the magic dragon, methinks!
I did wonder how he found seaweed at the top of an uphill track?
Problem? What problem?
And you need to take up the seaweed with Sandra, Liz, it’s her photo!
A good story with a great surprise ending, C.E. I wonder how many women Granddad has knocked off with old Puff. O_o — Suzanne
Well, Suzanne, I’m not saying it’s a full time hobby, but…
“Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
And dispatched maidens with his club in a land called Honahlee”
Somehow I missed those lines. Such a twist to the tale, should have seen it coming but granddad fooled us all.
I love this comment, thank you
OMG….you got me with that one!
Thank goodness for abbreviations, Dawn, or I would have to censor you!
So this is how you frolic in the autumn mist?
Somehow I knew there would be another pile of bones for Iain and Sandra to discover beneath the sand.
Are you also wondering what that pair are up to?
I think questions need to be asked.
But—I was picturing this man as some benevolent old dude who likes to sing to his grandson! That was certainly an unexpected twist 🙂
Well he is, when he’s with his grandson!
Ah. Yes, I should have known 🙂
What a psycho! That left me reeling, really did not expect that!!
It wasn’t very friendly, was it?
Great atmosphere. Really painting a scene.
Thank you, Tannille
Never drop your guard, as someone dear to me always says. She dropped her guard – as did I as I read your story. Phew.
I like Phew, Margaret, Phew is good!
She was a bit unwise taking a holiday in Honahlee!
Especially in the autumn mist…
Oh, man, that’s just mean. makes for a good story, though.
It wasn’t very friendly, was it?
No, but it made for a great story! 🙂
What the!? Maybe he’s been smoking too many magic dragons.
Very funny, Fatima!
Thank you
Glad I didn’t read ahead to spoil the ending. I just closed my eyes and listened to the sound bite. Wow! And he sounded so nice.
Laughing.
Sounds, like looks, can be deceptive, it seems
Oh definitely. This time since I know your writing style I just listened without reading ahead. It was better that way. You didn’t disappoint. 🙂
That was quite an unexpected ending! I like the casualness of it all.
Thank you, sir
Now you killed a woman minding her own business! What is the count till now?
13,114
I am getting worried for the females of our race.🙂
Please don’t fret, Michael, I’ll try not to eliminate any more for a week or two!
That is one way of making a big and lasting impression…
I usually prefer a good smile though
But you’re a charming guy, Bjorn
Of course he did.
A tad impetuous on occasion…
On occasion…
Didn’t see that coming. Great ending. My mouth is still open!
Glad you enjoyed, glad you were surprised, Shirley.
That got ugly fast.
I try to avoid mirrors, m’lady
He’s doing well for a grandad if he can get to the top of a steep climb up the cliff and still have enough puff for murder!
He does have his stick!
He doesn’t take any prisoners, does he? What was wrong with just roughing her up a little if she was sitting in his favourite spot? These puff merchants… all the same.
Roughing her up? Good grief, Sandra, we’re not English soccer hooligans!
You are cruel this week.
I have my moments, dear lady
Don’t we all 🙂
not exactly a gentleman, is he?
Weeelll, not exactly, no…
Ya brute! She might have been a perfectly nice woman! hehehe
hehehe? That made me laugh!
Why was Puff in a such a tearing hurry. He could at least have said hi before swinging his..err..puff? Good evil writing, as usual, Ceayr.
Thanks, Neel, just an impatient guy, I guess
Whoa, bloody murder. I love the unexpected twist from friendly grandfather to merciless killer.
Laughing. Thank you
Another murdered woman!
Thank you for your comment
Couldn’t even have asked her name first? Bit rude. Still, nice to have the place to himself again – and Puff.
No time for chit-chat, Iain, just action
Was she a mermaid?
I thought of the ‘Little Mermaid’ when I read your story 🙂
Pretty Sunrise Partners – Anita
No! I love mermaids!
That changed fast from bucolic to homicidal
Life’s like that sometimes, Neil