FFfAW Challenge-Week of July 4, 2017

Posted on July 4, 2017 by pensitivity101

This is challenge No 122: click here for details

https://flashfictionforaspiringwriters.wordpress.com/2017/07/03/fffaw-challenge-week-of-july-4-2017-2/

This week’s photo prompt is provided by Kecia Spartin.

I’ve never been afraid of snakes. Guess it comes from having slow worms as a kid, Grandad making an artificial home for them out of an old bird-cage.
Sis and I scared our Mum when she was in the outside loo by putting them under the door.
We’d found it hysterical, the screams amid the rustle of corsets and petticoats.
Looking back, her fear could’ve triggered a heart attack, but then you don’t think of things like that when you’re five, do you.
There’s a picture of me somewhere with a 20 foot python round my neck. About 1986 I think it was. Beautiful creature. Mum was with me the day we’d visited the Aquarium’s reptile house with the foster kids. She was cowering in the corner, but was amazed at my ‘courage’. I was fascinated by its warmth.

It’s a bit of a different story now, having heard warnings of adders where we used to walk Maggie in the woods. The warm weather brings them out to bathe. Take care people.
They’ll see you, but you may not see them. Keep your dog close.

 

About pensitivity101

I am a retired number cruncher with a vivid imagination and wacky sense of humour which extends to short stories and poetry. I love to cook and am a bit of a dog whisperer as I get on better with them than people sometimes! We have recently lost our beloved dog Maggie who adopted us as a 7 week old pup in March 2005. We decided to have a photo put on canvas as we had for her predecessor Barney, and now have three pictures of our fur babies on the wall as we found a snapshot of my GSD so had hers done too. From 2014 to 2017 'Home' was a 41 foot narrow boat where we made strong friendships both on and off the water. We were close to nature enjoying swan and duck families for neighbours, and it was a fascinating chapter in our lives. We now reside in a small bungalow on the Lincolnshire coast where we have forged new friendships and interests.
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32 Responses to FFfAW Challenge-Week of July 4, 2017

  1. Iain Kelly says:
    July 4, 2017 at 11:37 am

    I am terrified of snakes! Thankfully there aren’t many where I stay 🙂

  2. Priceless Joy says:
    July 4, 2017 at 1:31 pm

    Yikes! Stay out of the woods! Creepy ending. Great story! What are slow worms? Worms that are slow? LOL!

  3. yarnspinnerr says:
    July 4, 2017 at 2:02 pm

    I like this balanced take on this prompt.

  4. L.E.R.T says:
    July 4, 2017 at 3:54 pm

    I’m not fond of snakes, especially the venomous ones. Your quote about the loo reminded me of a John Grisham book ‘The Painted House.’ That being said, I enjoyed your take on the prompt. Cheers, Varad

    • pensitivity101 says:
      July 4, 2017 at 4:12 pm

      Thanks for your comment. The only venomous snake in the UK is the adder (viper). My Mum doesn’t like snakes, nor did she like the slow worms and sand lizards Sis and I kept as children. I must’ve been a horrible child at times!

    • pensitivity101 says:
      July 4, 2017 at 4:13 pm

      Thank you. My Mum doesn’t like snakes, or the slow worms and lizards my sister and I kept. I must’ve been a horrible child!!

  5. James says:
    July 4, 2017 at 4:49 pm

    “Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?” -Indiana Jones

    I’m with Indy. Can’t stand snakes.

  6. michael1148humphris says:
    July 4, 2017 at 4:51 pm

    Often children do not see danger. I have alway since childhood enjoyed seeing adders, but these days I have a healthy regard for them.

  7. A Writer's Beginning says:
    July 4, 2017 at 5:57 pm

    I really enjoyed reading this! You’ve showed an excellent understanding of human nature, particularly with the line, “looking back, her fear could’ve triggered a heart attack, but then you don’t think of things like that when you’re five, do you”. Great take on the prompt, too! Thanks for sharing 🙂

  8. Michael says:
    July 5, 2017 at 1:50 am

    Excellent tale Di, so well done. I recently had a brown snake in the backyard and I kept well away.

  9. kalpana solsi says:
    July 9, 2017 at 4:08 pm

    I am petrified of snakes even though there are many snakes in my neighborhood.
    http://ideasolsi65.blogspot.in/2017/07/the-modern-eve.html

  10. McGuffy's Reader says:
    July 10, 2017 at 6:31 pm

    I could have told this story! Well done!
    The Lesson
    Annie at ~McGuffy’s Reader~

  11. jacquelineobyikocha says:
    July 11, 2017 at 7:15 pm

    Good gracious! I am afraid of snakes, but I like your balanced approach.

Comments are closed.