The Unicorn Challenge.
A magical new weekly writing opportunity from her – Jenne Gray – and me.
Visit her blog every Friday to see the photo prompt, and post your amazing story in her comments section.
Or on your own blog, and stick the link down in her comments.
The rules are:
Maximum of 250 words.
Based on photo prompt.
That’s it.
To hear me read my story, just click here:
To a Mouse
Outside MacAyr Castle, the historic seat of the clan, stands the statue of a mouse.
The reason lies way back in the canteenth century…
Clan chieftain Campsie MacAyr loves to invade the land of the Sassenach, looting, rustling and pillaging.
On one assault on Castle Wodehouse, ancient home of the Woosters, he falls into a cunning trap set by the inestimable General Jeeves.
His band of ruffians are sent back to their homeland to raise a ransom of 1,000 muckles.
Now, as every bairn in Scotland knows, many a mickle makes a muckle, and even mickles were in very short supply.
Because, in honesty, while he is a doughty warrior, MacAyr is not renowned for his budget management skills.
Languishing in a damp dungeon with scattered straw for his bed, and eating only a daily ration of dry bread, he survives by befriending the rodent population with crumbs from his food.
He builds wondrous contraptions from his bedding, and soon has a vast number of sharp-toothed creatures as companions.
Over the long hard years he trains them until, one spring morning, he gives the order and they leap upon the gaoler and nibble him to helpless laughter.
MacAyr makes his escape and returns home triumphant, having stolen everything not nailed down on his way out.
So, his followers ask him as they erect the monument, did the meeces save you by keeping you sane?
Don’t be daft, laddies, he replies, those that couldn’t fight, I ate!
Campsie MacAyr sounds like an historic hero, similar yet different to the Pied Piper himself! Who needs a mickle when, back in the day, mouse training was a sought-after profession‽ Good one, CE! 🙂
Thanks, Tom, Auld MacAyr might well return here in heroic mode in the future!
I look forward to his return! 🙂
Well, you got this sassenach giggling along too!
To be honest, old mucker, you’re an easy audience!
Always a pleasure, sir.
Of course you know the best part I liked about your story is the addition of some introductory and closing music. It is to my taste even if meeces aren’t.
I am delighted (and somewhat surprised) that you liked any part of my prosaic offering.
Based on that, dear Lady, might you be interested in my first full-length e-novel available now on Amazon (99 cents):
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0C4899RF9/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i2
I did look at the Amazon site. From the reviews it sounds like an exciting book. I don’t have a Kindle. 🙁 I don’t shop at Amazon 🙁 And don’t have a lick of cents. But do wish you a lot of success!
You’ve outdone yersel this week. ‘Canteenth century’ is a gem. And of course it wouldn’t be an Ayr-y fairytale without murder at the end. 🙂 Hilarious.
Thanks, Doug, it was a fun ramble from this end too!
Pingback: The Unicorn Challenge: The Maze – The Mansionic Perspective
Pingback: The Mouse – Tales from Glasgow
MacAyr is one fierce dude! Even able to hatch a plan to outwit Jeeves. Or was Bertie in charge that day?
So well done, in savage, bloody, inventive detail!
Laughing at this, Liz!
Glad you enjoyed!
You nibbled away and I giggled all day at this lively tale, CE, and I delighted in every bite! You do have a way with words! 🐭
Hmm, all this nibbling and giggling means I need to go lie down now!
Chuckling.
This is brilliant. Sharing with my students today.
Thank you, Kate.
A comment like this has me smiling for days.
And so the story goes. Excellent!
Well, kinda…
Thanks, Misky
Still laughing!
So good – the word play, the literary and Scottish references references, the very coldly calculating Campsie MacAyr – and that accent!
A wee masterpiece from the word magician.
Thanks, Jenne, your cheque’s in the post!
It was fun to write, I admit.