PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot
If you like my work, buy me a virtual cup of coffee at Ko-Fi.
Ken wasn’t getting any younger or thinner, so every morning took himself out for a walk. Fall had arrived, and he enjoyed strolling in brisk weather.
Then it turned weird.
“Hey, Buddy. Stop a second.”
He was walking past the tennis court. The green watering jug marked Ken’s halfway point. He stopped walking and looked around.
“Who said that?”
“Me, the plant. Gee, you’re dense. I’ve been hanging my jug out here every day but you don’t take the hint.”
“A talking plant?
“I need a little more water before the hibernation thing kicks in. Be a pal, will you?”
Another Wednesday has arrived and it’s time again to participate in Rochelle Wisoff-Fields’ Friday Fictioneers. The idea is to use the image above as the prompt for crafting a poem or short story no more than 100 words long. My word count is exactly 100.
I was kind of stumped on this one, at least for a few seconds. The only thing I could think of was that the plant, in hanging the water jug out so prominently, was looking for a “hand out.” Not much time left for watering with winter coming on.
To read other (probably more sane) stories based on the photo, visit inlinkz.
Cover art for the anthology “Pocket SciFi: Drabble Contest One”
If you don’t typically follow my blog, I just recently announced that nine out of ten of my submitted science fiction drabbles have been published in the Starry Eyed Press anthology Pocket SciFi: Drabble Contest One, available in both Kindle and Paperback formats.
I have to credit the “Friday Fictioneers” for honing my drabble-writing skills. There’s even one “Fictioneers” story that made it into the anthology with only minor alterations.
I hope those of you (or anyone) who write these Friday challenges and who like science fiction are moved to purchase, read, and (especially) review this book. The proceeds go to supporting emerging and established indie authors, so the cause should be near and dear to us all.
poweredbyrobots.com 
Congratulations on the Drabble success. There’s a good metaphor in your story about nature needing a helping hand from humans to stay healthy. Let’s hope we don’t leave the trees hanging!
LikeLike
We won’t as long as they “talk” to us. Thanks, Iain.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Some plants can be very assertive, I’ve found.
LikeLike
They can indeed, and “mouthy,” too. Thanks.
LikeLike
Congratulations on the “drabbles”. It has been a dry autumn, so I’m sure there are some thirsty trees. I hope he helps.
LikeLike
Thanks. A little wetter where I live but yes, I’m sure the plant could use one last drink.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope he helps. Nature doesn’t often need us but sometimes it does. Well doen.
LikeLike
Thank you. The story was meant to be tongue-in-cheek.
LikeLike
How fortunate that this tree has found it’s voice. 😉
Nice imagination.
LikeLike
Thanks, Dawn.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So cute! I love the personality of the tree and really it does look like it’s hanging out there for someone to fill. Great imagination!
LikeLike
Thank you.
LikeLike
Dear James,
At least the plant was only asking for water. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
They don’t need much else. Thanks.
LikeLike
That’s a great response to the prompt 🙂 Kind of scary to consider, but a great idea!
LikeLike
Just someone asking for a little water. Nothing wrong with that. 😉 Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
His imagination was in high gear from all of the endorphins.
I think the pant was getting into his mind. It must have been
a hot day. I enjoyed this story, James. It had a fun write.
Isadora 😎
LikeLike
Sorry I didn’t see this before. It got stuck in my spam folder. Thanks for the complement, Isadora.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This one made me smile – thanks😄
LikeLike
Good. I’m glad. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great idea, talking plants. Perhaps, they could provide talking therapy for the elderly. On second thoughts, the poor plant would become a captive audience.
LikeLike
Might not all be fun and games. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080391/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great story, James. I’m surprising my plants haven’t somehow done similar in the past when I’ve been quite an intermittent waterer at best. Congratulations on getting your science fiction pieces published. That’s a big achievement as is just getting our stuff out the door beyond the blog. I was feeling pretty chuffed this week because I sent three poems off to a major poetry competition. They were all over the line limit and had to be edited back and also received major editing as well. I’ve been quite busy lately with my daughter’s graduation and formal and son heading over to9 LA and renovating his room in his absence so all of the reworking was done on Wednesday. Nothing like a deadline to inspire and get some action.
Best wishes,
Rowena
LikeLike
Thanks, Rowena. Sounds like you are very busy. Writing can be pretty challenging when the rest of our lives need attention, too. Good luck with the poetry submissions.
LikeLike
I like the idea of plants and humans communicating with each other in a way both can understand.
LikeLike
Just as long as they both say nice things. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, James.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ken needs to wake up before the dream gets weirder.
LikeLike
Maybe he’s been smoking a different kind of plant. 😉 Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good story, James. Just for the record …. I talk to my plants all the time. As far as I can tell, they haven’t yet talked back but I’m beginning to hear little whispers during the night. Maybe that explains why I’m writing this at 5AM?
LikeLike
Cue theme from “The Twilight Zone.” Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your MC shares my husband’s name and for just a moment I thought it was him in your story – ‘not getting any younger or thinner’😊. He also takes himself for a daily walk, and has been known to interact with plants. I like your Ken, and this is a great story. Well told. Congrats on your scifi publications. Fantastic.
LikeLike
Any similarities between persons living or dead is purely coincidental. 😉 Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope he stops and gives the plant a drink. Very creative!
LikeLike
I’m sure he will, Brenda. Thanks.
LikeLike