© Dawn M. Miller
I bought the one that said “Corona Extra” on it because it looked cool. Now that I’ve got the place to myself, I decided I wanted to be able to make a small fire on the back patio for those cold evenings when I needed to be comforted.
“Ouch! That’s hot!”
It’s the first time I try lighting a fire in the urn.
“What did you say to me?”
“I said the fire’s hot.”
“But that’s what you’re for, to burn a fire in. Look, it’s a cool evening and I’d rather enjoy a warm fire while sitting on the patio.”
“Too bad”. The thing actually closes its mouth and smothers the flames. I toy with the idea of calling over my next door neighbor to witness this strangeness but decide against it.
“Oh don’t be surprised I can talk. You’re so lonely, you’ll believe anything can keep you company.”
“You mean…?”
“Call your son and his wife. I’ll bet they’ll be glad to bring the grandkids over.”
“But I thought…”
“Just because you’re divorced, doesn’t mean your kids don’t love you anymore. Go on. Make the call.”
I pick up my cell and the urn goes silent forever.
I wrote this for Sunday Photo Fiction – March 5th 2017 hosted by Al Forbes. The challenge is to write a piece of flash fiction no longer than 200 words based on the photo prompt above. My story is 199 words.
To read more stories based on the prompt, go to InLinkz.com.
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Lovely!
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Thank you, Peter.
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You are welcome!
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I like how you skirt between the fantastic and ordinary. The lines are blended enough to keep readers wondering. Very nicely done.
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Thanks. I noticed (after writing and publishing my wee tale) that several writers took the “genie” approach. I almost did too, but now I’m glad I took the prompt in a somewhat different direction.
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I noticed that as well and yes, I’m glad you did too. Very original.
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I hate unco-operative chimineas, particularly those who start organising your social life for you. Different take on the prompt – made me smile.
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Thanks, Sandra. I prefer to think of this chiminea as a helpful prompt that knows when to become discretely silent once its job is done.
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They do look like people. I can see it.
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Yeah, that opening really is a mouth.
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Great take on the prompt — I’m amused by the idea of a talking chiminea, and I especially liked its explanation for why he could hear it talk!
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Great story! I’m nominating you for That’s So Jacob’s March Blog Madness! It’s simple: find five interesting blogs today, copy and paste this comment, and give them a follow! Have a great day and if you’re so inclined, visit http://www.thatssojacob.wordpress.com. Have fun spreading the blog love this month!
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A wise urn. Great little piece of magical storytelling.
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So, mine’s not the only chiminea that talks this week! Nice one.
Click to read my story!
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That thing has a mouth so of course it talks, Keith.
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It seems things are pretty bad when it takes a chiminea needs to help with family life. At least it worked. I love the pseudo-fantasy aspect of this. Very inventive and a great story! 🙂
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Beats doing drugs. Thanks. 😉
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Truly enjoyed this one. Thanks. I could just imagine it coming to life Hah. Great use of the limited number of words.
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Thanks. Life was limited to the man restarting his.
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Me thinks the chiminea echoes his own thoughts.
Call them!
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That’s true. He could be projecting his own personality onto the object.
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Good story. I know a couple of people who need an urn like this.
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