Written for the Friday Fictioneers. A story, about a forest that only one person appreciates, begins after the photo.
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Humor
Photo by: John Nixon
Some People
“Dude, this forest is creepy,” said Gavin.
“What do you mean?” said Quinn. “It’s cool.”
Gavin whacked at his arm. “Oh man, something touched me!”
“Oh, just relax.”
Gavin tripped and fell. “Did you see that? That root reached out and grabbed me!”
“More like you just tripped, isn’t it?”
“I swear! I saw it moving.” Gavin stood up fast. “That’s it. I’m going back to the car.”
Quinn sat on a curved root and sighed. “Why do people hate this place?”
A branch reached out and patted Quinn’s shoulder. “Some people!” said the tree.
“Weird isn’t it?” answered Quinn.
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Each week, the Friday Fictioneers meet for a little literary alliteration and to write 100 words of flash fiction from a photo prompt donated by the writers. Wouldn’t you like to join something really cool like that? Here’s this week’s prompt: http://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2014/03/25/28-march-2014/
EagleAye
Momus News 
🙂
janet
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😉
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LOVE it ! Some people eh ?
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Thank you! Yeah, some people are so easily weirded out over nothing, really. 😉
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Very cool ending.
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Thank you, Bill!
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Love the dialogue, love the ending. Great story!
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Hehe. Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
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Some people and some tree. Simply superb. Loved it.
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Hehe. Thank you, Indira. Glad to hear it. 🙂
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haha enjoyed this a lot. i like the image of the tree’s arm patting his shoulder 🙂
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Cool. Enjoyment is what I’m aiming for. Glad to hear it, and thanks for stopping in to read! 🙂
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Now that’s an affinity with nature that’s enviable! 😀 LOL!
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Haha! True enough, Then again for some, it’s downright terrifying. I think Quinn needs to find different friends.
Hey, have you been posting for FF? I’ve been looking but haven’t seen your stories much lately.
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I’ve done a few lately but I haven’t been doing them as regularly. How nice of you to notice though! 😀
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You better be friendly with a forest like that..
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No doubt. Luckily, Quinn seems to be open-minded. 🙂
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Great story and love the ending too! Me? I like funny looking trees – except ones with thorns. I’m sorry to Thorny trees (ala Osage Orange) because I have had to take my kids to doctor from getting a small scratch. Now that they are all grown up, the trees are gone – not going to let blood poison settle in on my Grandkids! Really, really good story! Thanks, Nan 🙂
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Me too. I just like trees, even they’re a bit twisted. It gives them character. So happy to hear you liked the story. I appreciate the feedback very much!
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Quinn is like the Dr.Doolittle of trees. I envy him.
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It could be handy having trees as friends. So are you turning “green” with envy? Thanks much for stopping in, Dawn.
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Ah, that’s cute. Great ending. Some people just don’t understand moving trees.
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I know. Some People are just so closed-minded. Thanks David, I appreciate your thoughts and comments. 🙂
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Wonderful little piece that pacts more than surface reading. It’s too bad that some people can’t get over their initial visual reaction – and if their reactions is visceral, then sometimes taking the time to rest and be open is all that is needed to fully understand and appreciate the situation and place. Sometimes though, it is indeed better to swiftly “move along” – as it were.
Great story and fitting of the image 🙂
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I agree. Nature is fascinating no matter what the initial reaction may be. Vultures are pretty hideous until you realize that they are vital for maintaining good health in the ecosystem. Without them, diseases would run rampant. Likewise if a tree is twisted and gnarled it shouldn’t be shunned. And if one talks to me, I’d check my sanity first, but then I’d be pretty excited about it. Imagine the things we could learn if we could talk to trees, even the twisted up ones. Thanks so much for the glowing comments and for sharing your ideas. I like your perspective. 🙂
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Ah well I think we’re thinking along the same lines 🙂
All – the “ugly and beautiful” – and after all – it’s about perspective, understanding and knowing, is vital in the larger scale of each and every ecosystem out there – it is all linked.
Lol – yeah, if a tree suddenly bent a branch and said “heya Pat, how’s it hanging?” I too would be a literal leery – but then again, the energy emitted from all living things – including the rocks and minerals – do speak to us, if we choose to listen 😉
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True enough. It’s all about being “aware” enough to truly see and hear. 🙂
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Yes.
Have a super day 🙂
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This was an absolutely delightful read. It was chilling and wonderfully whimsical at the same time. I just love the ending with the connection between Quinn and the tree! It’s nice to think mother nature has a sense of humor! Great job!
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Oh yes, Mother Nature has a great sense of humor. Just look at the Platypus. 😉 Quinn has some great friends in forest. It’s just too bad he can’t easily share them with his human friends. Glad you had fun with the story. That’s the whole idea. Thanks for stopping in!
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Great dialogue and I just loved the ending. Well done.
Dee
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Thanks Dee! I appreciate that.
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Cute. ;0)
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Thank you!
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Good story. It looks like Quinn and the forest are old friends. Doesn’t look like Gavin’s going to be converted though. Good dialogue and well written.
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Thanks Patricia! Yeah, Quinn has been going there for sometime, alone, and it seems it will stay that way for awhile. Thanks for the kind words, and thanks for reading. 🙂
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Dear Eric,
You’ve taken tree hugging to a new level. I love the dialogue and the ending. Too bad Gavin couldn’t see things the way Quin did. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s a shame. The trees there are really are very nice once you get to know them. Thanks for stopping in!
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Talking trees are my favorite! 😀 Nice job!
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Thank you, Judah!
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Talk about having an understanding of nature! Lucky Quinn
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Her certainly is lucky. He’s trying to spread that luck to others, but no luck with that, so far. Thanks for stopping in, Siobhan!
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Ack!Am with Gavin-though thankfully he was out before the tree started having a convo with Quinn ;-)A fun and creative take on the prompt Eric-not that anything less is expected to pour from your pen ever 😀 Loved it!
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I don’t think Gavin would’ve handled the convo with Quinn and the tree any better. Thank you so much Atreyee. Your kind words start my day off with much positive energy. Thank you kindly! 🙂
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😀
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Lovely dialogue and great magical realism.
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Thanks Patrick! I appreciate that. 🙂
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It takes all kinds, darling. Some love the spooky forest, some don’t
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True enough. Quinn just has an affinity. Thanks much for reading and sharing your thoughts! 🙂
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Good one, Eric… you captured the spirit of the photo.
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Thanks, Ted! I appreciate that. 🙂
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One has to show respect to the tree people. 🙂
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So true. Otherwise, you’ll miss out on some wonderful things.
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