Friday Fictioneers is hosted by the wonderful Rochelle, the undisputed master of what I call Sound Bite Fiction.
She sets the weekly challenge, the standard, and the prompt photo.
The idea, as always, is to write a story of around 100 words based on this picture, below, which this week is supplied by J Hardy Carroll.
© J Hardy Carroll
Click here to almost hear the nearly voiceless author croak his tale:
November
I am bored with November.
It is grey, damp and dismal.
The wind comes from the east, and the rain is steady.
My home is never warm.
This room is not spacious, but there are always draughts.
I stare into the flames, but the burning logs never seem to generate quite enough heat.
And that constant scratching noise is irritating.
I am miserable.
I sigh.
It is boredom as much as the cold that depresses me.
I need to do something to lift my spirits.
Time to throw another cat on the fire.
I’m trying to picture this…where are the cats coming from? Doesn’t it smell? Do they screech, claw, try to get away? And then I shake my head…trying NOT to picture this!
Well, Dawn, they are in the cages, of course! And I did mention the constant scratching noise. Ah dearie me, you just weren’t paying attention, were you?
They make such pretty flames…
Rats,,, I think I would rather be bored…
Each to their own, Bjorn!
It’s never so cold as to require mass caticide, surely 🙁
Thank you, sir, I have learned a new word – caticide!
And have you never been to Scotland?
oh, that last line – marvellous! I dislike November also. And cats.
Happy to put smile on a lady’s face!
A Dickensian story for this time of year, with a quick and sudden shock at the end, unless a cat is a hissing green log.
Laughing.
No, James, a cat is a four-legged feline creature!
I was looking for colloquiums, roasted cat it is then, enjoy.
What an unexpected twist, just as I was beginning to think of warm fuzzy blankets. Good story CE!
Thank you, I strive for the unexpected!
I was taken aback by the last line and loved it! Nicely done. =)
Thank you, Brenda.
I am beginning to worry about you…
What a last line I felt sorry for the story teller til then. November blues so well evoked.
Thank you, ma’am, glad you enjoyed at least part of my little tale
A cat has seven lives, they say. Will she sacrifice one for your warmth?
I don’t really ask them first, sir, I just lob them into the flames!
As a cat lover I am disgusted with myself for laughing. You might need the fur for winter!
Laughing is good, Tannille, even if it sometimes disgusts you!
I was NOT going to ‘like’ this. Because I do NOT like this … but the fact I SO SO SO do not like it … makes me ‘like’ it …
😉
Well done on the terrible thing that this is … 😉
Na’ama
Laughing.
I think this is my favourite comment this week!
Thank you, Na’ama
😀 You’re most welcome. I do like (and ‘like’ this comment!) 😉
YES!! Who doesn’t love a burning cat! Yuk! Great stuff, great twist!
Got to stay warm, sir, and what’s the occasional kitty for a chap’s comfort?
Eek! I can’t unsee the picture you have painted. What a take on the photo prompt.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
Sorry, Susan, but your comment made me laugh even more!
Jesus, man! Kill all the people you want, but let the cats be.
I was looking out the window agreeing with everything you said. It was actually 70 degrees until today. Now, it’s snowing. I’m already tired of November. Then, boom! Cats! The only time I felt like that was when I watched the trailer for the theatrical adaptation for the musical Cats.
Not sure what to make of a comment that suggests (perhaps tongue-in-cheek?) that people are more expendable than cats.
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
HA NON ! PAS LES CHATS.
Je comprends le rire maintenant !
Mais j’aime cette histoire de psychopathe !
Désolé, Corine.
Rire.
Oh! I had an actual physical reaction–shrink back in horror! This was a total surprise. Well done.
Oh I like ‘shrink back in horror’!
Thank you
Meeow! I’m no cat lover but even I wouldn’t….on second thoughts.
Got to brighten those long winter nights somehow, Keith
I knew your last lines are the real thing. The deadly words strike, and strike they do.
Frighteningly awesome. But then who’s complaining!
Thanks, Neel, your comment made me laugh!
I try to make my last line pack a punch.
I am in total agreement with your MC – November sucks. I’m just not sure about his chosen form of entertainment to relieve the boredom!
Ah well, each to his own…
Didn’t expect that twist at the end! 😀
I do like to surprise, Colline
Dear C.E.
I could feel the chill in my bones. And I’m ever so glad I wasn’t taking a sip of my coffee while reading the last line. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
I’m happy with any response, m’lady, so two different reactions are a big bonus!
The last line was a total surprise
The scratching was a clue, Neil