© Ted Strutz
“What’s it do, Mikey?”
“Beats me, Lynn.”
The eight-year-old boy and his six-year-old sister stood contemplating the strange series of discs constructed in their Grandpa’s backyard.
“I’ll take a picture and do an image search.” Moments later the boy’s handheld yielded a result. “I think it’s called a Rube Goldberg machine, a really complicated machine that’s supposed to do something really simple.”
“Like?”
“Can’t tell.”
“That?” Grandpa called from the back porch. “Doesn’t do anything. Built it outta scraps ’cause I was bored. Hey. I found a game I used to play with your Dad. Anyone up for Mouse Trap?
I wrote this for the Rochelle Wisoff-Fields weekly writing challenge. The idea is to use the image above as the inspiration for writing a flash fiction story no more than 100 words long. My word count is 100.
I was really stuck on this one. If it really were a Rube Goldberg machine, I’d think its purpose could be derived from looking at it, but nothing came up for me. The best I could do was think of the game “Mouse Trap” which I played as a kid.
Yeah, the story’s weak, but it’s all I could think of.
To read other (and probably better) stories based on the prompt go to InLinkz.com.
poweredbyrobots.com 
That was my first thought too
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Great minds and all that. Thanks.
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Dear James,
The structure is reminiscent of Mouse Trap, isn’t it? I thought I was the only one who remembered Rube Goldberg.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You and I are of a similar age, so I imagine we have some common memories, Rochelle. Thanks.
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Mouse trap was… is … a cool game. This story, too.
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Thanks, Kelvin.
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Grandpa sounds like a fun kind of guy. And I understood the Rube Goldberg reference. Fit perfectly.
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As you may be aware, being a Grandparent is like a license to be a kid again, at least sometimes. Thanks.
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Yes. I love being Grandma 🙂
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Rube was a great cartoonist. I think we was always looking for the least efficient way possible to do things like turn on a light or make toast. You Tube is a wonderful source for these things. I saw one that took up an entire block.
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The strength of the story is in the family dynamic, I think. Nice one, James
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Thanks, Penny.
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An apt take to this prompt.
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Thanks, yarnspinner.
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Not a weak story at all, James.
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Thanks, Sandra. Didn’t seem to carry the same kind of “punch” as some of my other tales.
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Love Grandpa… he has the right mind set.
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Indeed. Thanks, Björn.
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I’d forgotten about Mouse Trap. I’m sure my grandkids would love it – if there was a version to play on their phones!Click to read my FriFic!
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I remember Mouse Trap!
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Grandpa seems to have found his happy place!
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Seems so, Iain. Thanks.
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A mouse trap, well done grandpa and well told James
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Thanks, Michael.
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Good story, James. I remember Mouse Trap from being a kid but i don’t know that i ever played it. I was more a Chutes and Ladders girl.
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I think those are two different act groups. You have to be a little older to appreciate Mouse Trap.
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I’m older than you may think.
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I agree with the others: your grandpa sounds like a fun guy.
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Grandpa should have pretended it had some use, keep ’em guessing! I guess he wanted to play Mousetrap instead 🙂
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Probably more fun than messing with his grandchildren’s minds. Thanks.
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I had to Google Rube Goldberg. Heath Robinson I would have got! An appropriate take on the prompt. I tried to think of some weird function for the machine, but failed!
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I had to Google Heath Robinson. Guess maybe some cultural reference differences.
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I loved Mouse Trap! I found one on the flea market but it was missing the basket ball and nothing else was the right weight to keep the thing going. My kids didn’t see the attraction.
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I think you can buy new Mouse Trap games on Amazon but the kids involved would have to be young enough not to yet be addicted by digital entertainment.
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I never thought of Amazon. This was a few years ago when the youngest were still at the elementary school but even they didn’t see the fun of it.
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I think I even put a link somewhere in my story or afterword.
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If I ever have grandchildren I’ll make sure they have a Mouse Trap.
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Grandkids are great, Jane. Much better than children. 😉
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Children are hard work, that’s for sure. Grandkids, you can hand back at the end of the day, or pretend to be out when they call round 🙂
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I’d never miss the opportunity to be with my Grandchildren and indeed, they can still be work, but yes they also go home with Dad.
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One day, I hope I’ll find out 🙂
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The story was far from weak. I was right there, experiencing the awe and curiosity of the little ones. And when Grandpa mentioned “Mouse Trap,” it brought back all kinds of fond memories! Thank you!
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Thanks for reading and commenting, Jan.
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Had no idea what a Rube Goldberg machine or Mouse Trap game were, so learnt two new things today, thanks for that James.
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I learn plenty from other authors myself so it’s all good. Thanks.
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Love this. Sometimes the functionality of something is more emotional than practical. Grandpa found pleasure in it and that’s what matters.
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Most of all, Grandpa finds pleasure in his grandkids.
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Like Clare, I’m more familiar with Heath Robinson than Rube Goldberg,but the story still works for me. Love the idea of grandad out the back, constructing his weird machines. Lovely
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I think it just depends on which side of the pond you live on, Lynn. Think of this as a cultural exchange. 😉
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Yes, indeed, one of the joys of the internet!
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Had a good laugh with this one. Love those rube gadgets. 🙂 ❤
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Thanks, Jelli.
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My grand dad made whirly-gigs. Grand dads are cool.
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Obviously a talented man, Dan. Thanks.
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i don’t see any issues as long as it works as it’s intended to. 🙂
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Glad you liked it. Thanks.
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Love the bond between grandpa and grandkids. Always grand to watch!
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Thanks.
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I enjoyed this, it made me laugh. I was waiting for some convoluted explanation of what the machine does only to find it’s the product of a bored mind and does nothing, brilliant.
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Think of it as a three-dimensional doodle. Thanks, Michael.
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I knew what it was just not that it was called a Rube Goldberg! I love watching those doohickeys… here’s one for those who are curious!
And this story was great, James. Loved it.
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I like the light hearted banter that happens. Nice one, James.
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Thanks, Neel.
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What a fun Grandpa. The world needs more guys like him.
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I agree, Russell. Thanks.
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I didn’t find it “weak”. I enjoyed it.
Mine: https://kindredspirit23.wordpress.com/2017/12/27/friday-fictioneers-lifes-cycle/
Scott
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Thanks, Scott.
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Welcome.
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I think its a cute story. I kinda remember that game.
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Ah Grandpa, he thinks outside the box. He reminds me of my dad.
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I thought it was a great story! Illustrated how kids have far more imagination than adults.
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That’s very true, Fatima. Thanks.
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Grandpa seems to be in charge of keeping the children occupied. Good writing, James. 😀 — Suzanne
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Thanks, Suzanne.
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