The Carrot Ranch Challenge:
In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story inspired by “Where Children Played”.
Click here to hear the author read his words:
The Tree
The children don’t play here so much nowadays.
I remember when they swung from ropes tied to branches.
When they hung sheets and blankets for tents, playing Cowboys and Indians.
When they climbed up, pretending to be pirates sailing the seven seas.
It was wonderful.
Then Benny, no, Bernie, decided to build a tree-house.
Carried that wood all the way up the hill, brought his dad’s best hammer and those long, sharp nails.
I wasn’t quite so keen on that, thought an accident could happen.
Well, they thought it was an accident when my branch bent under his foot.
I also was reminded of the Giving Tree, though this is a darker story than that one was. It’s like the Whomping Willow’s quieter, more deliberate cousin.
Great story!
I love it. That tree has limits!
That does sound ominous. It reminds me of playgrounds of my childhood, and the WHS demons that removed them all lest someone get a scratch.
Mwahahahaha!
This is such a brilliant transitional sentence midway through your story: “Then Benny, no, Bernie, decided to build a tree house.” Not only does it signal a shift away from childhood innocence, but it also feels psychopathic for the character to almost forget the name of the victim. I didn’t need the haunting laughter at the end of your recording to get goosebumps; I already had them, lol!
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This is a bit like The Giving Tree gone rogue. An accident, my arse! There’s just so much people the likes of Benny, no Bernie, can get away with before they get their comeuppance! 🌳
Bravo, C.E.!
I recognize that laugh as belonging to the inimitable Vincent Price. Bwahahaha!!!
Yep, long, sharp nails not welcome!
And well spotted on the great VP’s laugh!
Ouchy
Laughing at ‘Ouchy’.
Thanks, Cassa!
What a glorious wee production of picture, word and sound!
Still chuckling at the sheer evil laugh that rounds off the apparently solicitous old tree looking on at the children’s fun until…
Brilliant!
Thanks, Jenne, sometimes the sound effects are the best part!