PHOTO PROMPT © Shaktiki Sharma
“Your mother can’t get downstairs. She says there’s something on the banister looking at her funny.”
Gerry pulled a slowworm from his trousers and a disgruntled snake from his jacket. Sludge and Sylvia were safe.
He went to investigate. “That’s Kafka, my locust. He’s looking at her funny because he has compound eyes. You see…”
“Skip the optometry lecture, please.”
“Dad, the football’s starting, it clashes with mum’s soap; you sure you want it sorted just yet?”
A bellow boomed from above, “If you have thoughts of eating tonight, squash that bug!”
Dad smiled, “Tempting son, but we’d better cooperate.”
Written for Friday Fictioneers – a 100 words story based on a photo prompt. Hosted by Rochelle. Read the other entries here.
Michael Wynn 
One way to keep her out the way while the football is on! I think he’s right though, not worth it in the long run. Nicely done, Michael.
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Thanks, just a daft snap shot of family life and an example of who holds the power. 🙂
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Food before football 🙂
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Plus the fall out after is simply not worth it. 🙂
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Deliciously funny!
Just like men to prey on a woman’s weakness, and that too just after the International Women’s Day!
Thankfully, experience has made the father wise!
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Yeah, but ultimately, whatever they think, the mother has it under control and will always win out. 🙂 My mum always seemed to anyway.
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Of course! Women are Queens of their home. Atleast they should be!
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Dear Michael,
There’s a man who knows on which side his bread is buttered. 😉 Fun story. Viva women!
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, Rochelle. Yeah, Mum has it covered.
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That was fun indeed! Smart father, teaching his son what should take priority… 😉
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If momma ain’t happy . . .
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Oh so true but I feel she’ll always win in the end.
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‘A happy wife means a happy life’ don’t they say?
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Undoubtedly so, but I think they’re all happy in this family and content with each other
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I love the relationships portrayed here. Dad has learned over the years obviously! A fun story, well told.
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Thanks, I wanted a snap shot of a happy little family unit, each happy being themselves
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Some battles are not worth fighting… or losing, for that matter.
I love, love, love the title.
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Thanks, the title is from a comic song by Jim Stafford, if you’re interested in googling the rest of the lyric.
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I shall definitely take a look. Thanks.
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This is so very funny! Thanks for an afternoon laugh. I love all the bugs, worms and snakes this young man seems to own. Too bad – food will always win over football.
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Thanks, I’m pleased you picked up on the creatures,I see the lad as one of those just fascinated by animals and excited about learning science and keen to show what he’s learnt.
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Stomach rules! 🙂
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At the end of the day, the one making dinner has the power, 🙂
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I love that the locust is named Kafka. That made my day.
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Since visiting Prague I’ve been in a bit of a Kafka moment, so bug says Kafka to me these days. They have a great statue to him there. Actually there’s two, the one of a man with a boy on his shoulders is the one I refer to. I tried to paste a picture here but couldn’t do it, so if you’re interested Google, Kafka statue Prague, if you haven’t seen it before I think you’ll like it.
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I haven’t been to Prague yet, but having just looked through a few web pages of weird sculptures there, I think it should be higher on my list. You’re right, I do like the Kafka statue with the “boy” who is actually Kafka on the shoulders of a “man” who appears to be no more than a walking suit. Seems very Kafka indeed!
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I loved it, if you do go I’ve blogged about some of the more quirky aspects, including the statues under the Travel category and mentioned a restaurant which is a must and very inexpensive.
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poor bug. gerry shouldn’t have let it out of its cage.
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Yeah, I think he’ll re-home it rather than squash it, at least I hope so
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If Momma ain’t happy, nobody’s happy.
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You got that right, she wields the power. 🙂
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I laughed all the way through this piece, Mick. Great humor. Writing after my own heart.
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Thank-you, that’s certainly a great comment coming from you, who knows how to tell ’em.
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Mum clearly knew what they were up to. Neat funny story.
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Thank you. I think she’s in control ultimately
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I especially liked the name of the Bug… I think that Mom will win in the end though (or the have to order pizza)
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Haha, good solution, order pizza but I think they’d be in big trouble if they did.
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Delightful family interaction aside, I love that kid and the names he gave his pets. Great fun, Michael.
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Thanks he’s going to grow up to be a zoologist, I think
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At least they have their priorities sorted!
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Yeah they’re happy
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Mama rules!
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She certainly does
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I love that snapshot of family life. It says so much about all the characters in a few words. It’s very funny 🙂 My son would always choose food over football, especially pizza!
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Ultimately I think food will always come first. Once you’re not hungry, then you can do other things.
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Its like you’ve opened the window into a family life. Great vignette!
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Thank-you, that’s how I saw it in my mind.
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I’m taking a course to learn how to write radio drama. This distinguishes the three voices beautifully. All it would need is for the child to describe aloud his friends and you have a script! Loved it!
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Thank-you for a lovely comment, I’m flattered
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Yeah, I’m kind of in favor of squashing the bug! Fun story, Michael. He knows what it takes to love her and that’s what matters most.
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Awww, don’t be horrible to the bug!
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I saw Gerald Durrell within this story. I loved the book he wrote called My family and other animals.
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You sir, win this week’s prize for spotting the reference. Whilst it’s not a story about him, I did have Gerald Durrell in mind when I wrote it and I am also a fan of his. Thanks.
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That’s a good picture and a good story 🙂
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Thank-you and thanks for the follow
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