This
meme was started by Delores a long time ago. Computer issues led her
to bow out for a while. The meme was too much fun to let go, and now
Words for Wednesday is provided by a number of people and has become a
movable feast.
Essentially
the aim is to encourage us to write. Each week we are given a choice
of prompts: which can be words, phrases, music or an image. What we
do with those prompts is up to us: a short story, prose, a song, a
poem, or treating them with ignore... We can use some or all of the
prompts, and mixing and matching is encouraged.
Some
of us put our creation in comments on the post, and others post on
their own blog. I would really like it if as many people as possible
joined into this fun meme, which includes cheering on the other participants. If you are posting on your own blog - let me know so that I, and other participants, can come along and applaud.
The prompts will be here this month and I am providing them.
Thank
you to everyone who put their hands up to provide the prompts next
year. I have takers until July and November 2021 has been claimed but
the rest of the
year is free. River and Messymimi have said that they will take more
than one month but I would really like to hear from more of you.
I can fill next year's schedule with those who have volunteered (and particularly those who have said they will do multiple months but different people provide such different prompts which really test our
mettle.
This week's prompts are a little different. In an idle moment I realised that a LOT of our common idioms include animals in them. I am going to list some of the more common (in English at least) phrases and would really like to see what you can do with them - and particularly if you can create a story which involves different common phrases and/or animals. Feel free to mix and match - or to introduce different phrases of your own:
- Has the cat got your tongue?
- Curiosity killed the cat.
- Let the cat out of the bag.
- Dog tired.
- Sick as a dog.
- Like a dog with two tails.
- The elephant in the room.
- A one-trick pony.
- Open a can of worms.
- Busy as a bee.
Curiosity killed the cat – but satisfaction brought her back. In days gone by I was an expert ‘pinch, poke and rattler’ of presents. They didn’t have to be my presents, I just loved the challenge of determining what was in the brightly wrapped packages. And no, before you ask, I never let the cat out of the bag and told people what gifts they were receiving – or that I knew what I was getting. Sadly I am a one-trick pony and that is the only special talent I have – or had, because it has atrophied from lack of practice.
ReplyDeleteChristmas. The happiest time of year. There is a HUGE elephant in the room here. For some (mostly children) it is indeed a lovely time of year. Sadly the preparation for the commercial extravaganza largely falls on one person in each family. A person who gets to the day, dog tired after spending weeks, running around like a chook with her head cut off and buzzing around busier than any bee. Opening this can of worms even further, we see the lost, the bereaved, the lonely, the hungry. Perhaps it is time to put Christ back in Christmas and leave the trappings behind. And to leave the celebrations to those for whom it has a meaning…
What a brilliant write EC! Well done! Your words are truthful! Big Hugs!
DeleteMagic Love Crow: You are a shameless flatterer - and thank you.
DeleteChristmas has always been the women’s job. So is remembering birthdays, planning celebrations, and keeping “ everything” all together. Every year when I write out the Christmas cards and gift labels and write both our names, I am tempted to just write mine.
DeleteAgreed. Jesus told us to love one another, not run each other and ourselves ragged trying to "prove" it.
DeleteOh Well Done! you even threw in an extra! I'm really going to have to work this week.
DeleteStarting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: You are so right. And her work is not done when the day dawns either. There is cooking, there is cleaning, and there is badgering people to make thank you calls/write cards...
DeleteAs always, Sue, a brilliant job. I may take a crack at this later.
DeleteSo clever and more importantly, so true!!!
DeleteWay to go Sue. Good story and good message. My story is posted on my blog.
DeleteWell done Sue, powerful.
DeleteXO
WWW
I'm amazed at your writing talent. I have often seen myself as running around like a chicken with its head cut off, lol. Christmas used to be a lot of work but in my old age, I've trimmed it down a whole lt. I no longer do a lot of shopping and preparations , except this year I'm forcing myself to decorate and maybe do some baking to celebrate.
Deletewhile I still can.
I enjoyed reading your little story.
Stay safe and as well as you can.
Hugs, Julia
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteVery moving. I love your writing and I'm still waiting for that cozy mystery.
DeleteSandra Cox: Thank you. Why a cozy? Mind you you will be waiting for a long time to get more than a paragraph or two from me.
DeleteJulia: Thank you. I think that most women know that 'chicken with her head cut off' thing at this time of year. I am also stepping back - but still in mad mode at the moment.
DeleteYou did a great job! Lots of wordplay in there.
DeleteAs sad as this Christmas is, not having all the kids home, it's also been one of the most calm. Don't get me wrong, I miss them terribly, but we didn't have to worry about anything other than when their gifts were mailed out. I guess that's the grateful to have a glass in me. Have a wonderful holiday season!
Elsie
I love your talent, and am a bit sad that it died off due to unuse.
DeleteElsie Amata: Calm is always good - particularly at this time of year.
DeleteCharlotte (MotherOwl): For a while I was so good I could not only tell you it was soap in the parcel but what brand it was.
Delete:D
DeleteEC: I could see you coming up with a good murder mystery plot. Cosy: because I like them and you'd need to include a cat:) Heh.
DeleteWell done! That's a lot of animals. ;-)
DeleteElephant's Child knew pretty well, that he prefered taciturnity. He felt like a dying duck in a thunderstorm, because she tried to teach the old dog he was new tricks. But in times of dog eat dog he did not want to be a dog in the manger. And, after all, barking dogs never bite, do they? Therefore, although dog tired and hungry like a bear, he asked a fly on the wall, if she could help to write a few sentences, packed like sardines. "Well", the fly said, "you are looking as poor as a church mouse, and I was taught to help a dog that looks over a stile."
ReplyDeleteIn the first moment his heart rose like a falcon up to the sky, but soon after the fly had dictated viperishly like a bull in the china shop, he started to feel ants in his pants, or as a German saying goes 'Hummeln im Hintern' (bumblebees in one's bum).
Just in time seeing a man about a dog he looked like the cat that got the cream while imagining Elephant's Child smiling as gentle as a dove that she had made it: Wagging Sean the dog.
Or should he rather had left his tongue to the cat? Was what the fly had told him but dog's dinner? Oh well, he had opended the can of worm. Now he could as well let the cat out of the bag.
Sean Jeating: I am not smiling gently - but giggling like the maniac I often am. Thank you.
DeleteAnd I am grinning like a Cheshire cat; or like a Honigkuchenpferd (honeycakehorse).
DeleteHeeheehee! Well done!
DeleteThat was very cleverly done.
DeleteMuch applause Sean Jeating!!
DeleteWow! Brilliant.
DeleteXO
WWW
Bravo, Sean. You nailed it...
DeleteJulia
Ladies, thank you. I am glad I could send the corners of your mouth on an expedition to your ear-lobes.
DeleteHummel im Hintern Thanks now I can't un-see this picture.
DeleteCharlotte (MotherOwl): It makes ones sphincter close tightly doesn't it?
DeleteOh yes!
DeleteYou give cliches a good name.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Janie Junebug: What a lovely thing to say. Thank you.
DeleteThis one was fun.
ReplyDeletemessymimi: I look forward to reading it.
DeleteThat's quite the challenge, I'm going to need more than my thinking cap this week.
ReplyDeleteRiver: I have confidence in you. Probably more than you do.
DeleteWell they are great and what a brilliant idea.
ReplyDeleteHope you are doing ok :)
Margaret D: Once I started thinking about them more and more popped into my head. Ok(ish). Thank you.
DeleteThe prompts are beyond brilliant. I'm stumped for now. :) Will come back if I manage to wrestle them down :) I'm so glad that you're feeling better, EC.
ReplyDeleteNilanjana Bose: I hope you do manage to wrestle these prompts into submission. I always LOVE to read your take. Not better, but with my big girl pants hiked up.
DeleteHere's the result of the wrestling. :)
DeleteThe dogs bark but the caravan marches on. And vanishes. How is it, Ali thought, fed up of being jolted around in the saddle, I get the only camel that’s so rickety that it might actually go through the eye of a needle? And bad tempered to boot. It was super slow, ambling along at a snail’s pace. He’d felt desperate as he watched the others disappear in the distance, cantering along briskly.
When he finally arrived, the camp was set up, every last man as busy as a bee. He felt dog tired and located his brother’s tent with an effort. And slipped in as quiet as a dormouse.
‘What kept you?’ Ali was silent. “Has the cat got your tongue? Speak, young man!”
Rehan came in with a glass of mint tea. “Let the boy rest. He looks as sick as a dog. Here, take it.” Ali felt the hot sweet liquid wash over his throat like an elixir.
His brother sat on a floor cushion, a small, low tray-table with an ivory inlaid khanjar on it next to him. Each time the older man’s eyes fell on it, his face lit up. He looks like a dog with two tails, Ali thought, wonder where he got that? But he knew better than to ask. A cat may have nine lives but curiosity does kill it every time.
“I need a fresh mount,” Ali decided to grab the bull by the horns. “The one I have is the most useless animal on earth.”
“Well, we don’t look gift horses in the mouth around here, do we? And camels. You can always mount yourself.”
How? That was the elephant in the room. Ali wanted to scream. He was always the last one – in the camp, in the market square. Too late for the fat cats with the plump purses. By the time he landed up, the transactions were already over, he just managed to get the last few coins off the meanest bargain hunters. That wasn’t really the quickest way to getting a new animal, not even a mule.
“Besides, I’d rather be making things with my hands than riding from town to town selling stuff.” Ali blurted out with a supreme burst of courage. “I’m not a one trick pony. I can work silver and wood and camel bone too. I could make you a khanjar hilt and sheath as good as that.”
“Now here’s a pretty kettle of fish!” His brother was taken aback at Ali’s vehemence. “You mean you want to be an artisan instead of a trader? Where have you learnt to work these materials?”
Ali gulped his answer back just in time. He’d almost let the cat out of the bag. It wouldn’t do to say how he’d come by those skills, that would open a whole new can of worms.
Rehan piped in suddenly from the side. “Maybe we should slaughter the animal. And give the boy some camel bone. See what he makes of it.”
Ali smiled for the first time, ”You won’t regret it, ya akhi.”
Nilanjana Bose: I am so very, very glad that you wrestled these prompts into submission. I could see, smell, hear and feel this story - and would love to learn more. Which is (of course) a hint.
DeleteE.C. this was a genuine challenge and I had a good time with it. My story for today is posted on my blog. Fools Rush In http://granan10.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteGranny Annie: I have just been to your blog - and am still smiling. Thank you for joining us again.
DeleteThank you for story and funnies.
DeleteIt seems that I am always BUSY AS A BEE, and when I hear of people being bored, I confess to not really understanding it.
ReplyDeleteFor almost two years I have been working on a project, which had been kept under wraps until Sam LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG. It was not supposed to be announced until the data became conclusive, or at the very least persuasive, one way or another. Sam has really OPENED A CAN OF WORMS since there was a degree of secrecy involved right from the get-go, and we didn’t want others STEALING OUR THUNDER. Now that he has blabbed, Sam is as QUIET AS A CHURCH MOUSE, knowing he has blabbed prematurely. He has gone from ACTING LIKE A DOG WITH TWO TAILS, boasting, bragging, pretending that only he knew of THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM, but of late you’d think THE CAT HAS GOT HIS TONGUE.
I am DOG TIRED just trying to ward off the nosy, jealous and often resentful others, some of whom are former colleagues; sometimes almost physically SICK AS A DOG even.
CURIOSITY KILLED THE CAT, they say, and I find myself almost wishing that were true of some of the reporters trying to make their name by breaking this story.
I have never been a ONE TRICK PONY, but right now I wish I was. And the trick would be a whole sight easier than the one I am forced into dealing with now.
I don’t wish ill on you, Sam, but there is going to be a party over at State, lots of people, close contact, hugs, air kisses and no masks. I think you should attend.
David M. Gascoigne: Your final sentence nailed it for me. My very grumpy self would most definitely be thinking similar thoughts. Yet another wonderful use of the prompts.
DeleteWell done! Sam needs to learn that loose lips sink ships.
DeleteHere's mine.
ReplyDelete------------------------
The elephant in the room, of course, was our dog Curiosity (Curry for short). He gave the phrase "sick as a dog" a brand new definition.
I had come to the conclusion that Curiosity had killed our cat, Harry. Curry had been sick and throwing up, well, bony bits. And Harry was missing.
Gilda kept asking about Harry. Busy as a bee, she looked under tables and beds and chairs calling him. Now she was dog tired, weepy with exhaustion and distress.
I couldn't open the can of worms of the possibility of Curry eating our cat.
I glared at Curry, who was now re-defining the term dog tired, splayed out asleep on the rug. He couldn't have, I thought, he was a gentle dog.
Just then, as I was feeling quite ill myself, Lucy, our 8 year old sister walked into the room, a bag slung over her shoulder.
Oh Lucy not again! Gilda sighed, please let our cat Harry out of that bag at once!
------------------------
XO
WWW
Wisewebwoman: I was so glad to read the conclusion. I was getting increasingly distressed - and now I wonder just what Curiosity has gotten into - his namesake has certainly taken me to some strange places and some unfortunatel meals.
DeleteI used to have a black cat named Kitty and she loved to get in any tight places, eve in a plastic grocery bag. The kids would hang the bag on the door knob and Kitty would purr loudly and of course the kids would laugh their heads off. After a reasonable amount of time they would let the cat out of the bag. lol... A true story.
DeleteJulia: Our Jewel LOVED bags. All bags. Like kitty she would climb inside and purr happily.
DeleteThanks for a huge smile, I too am wondering what Curry ate.
DeleteThat sounds like something that would happen here! Well told.
DeleteI see you just read The Book Thief - Markus Zusak, isn't that a wonderful book? I read it twice, I really liked it.
ReplyDeleteShammickite: I did like it. Rather a lot. It will make its home in my 'to be reread' collection. I picked it up at a Lifeline book fair and am grateful that someone else (misguidedly) let it go.
DeleteI have lent mine out a few times, and everyone loves it. Sometimes you find a book that just fits and this one is just right.
DeleteShammickite: Having had some less than successful experiences I am often reluctant to lend books - particularly those I know I will reread. Probably multiple times. Isn't it wonderful to find a winner though.
Delete"Like a dog with two tails." I'm old but have never heard that before. Had to look it up.
ReplyDelete"The phrase like a dog with two tails means extremely pleased, delighted."
Mike: I grew up with that phrase and have always thought it very expressive.
DeleteHi EC - I wrote a blog post about overcoming adversity in February 2013 - as an answer to be part of a book to support another blogger and his family - whose son had cerebral palsy ...
ReplyDelete"Curiosity Killed the Cat – did it? I don’t think so – it stimulates, keeps us interested at all levels of life ... a brief tale of hope, during a time of challenge".
... and overcoming adversity as in my post. I'll be back to read the others anon ... take care and what a great list of prompts ... all the best - Hilary
It does indeed stimulate, Hil. Makes us critical thinkers.
DeleteHilary Melton-Butcher: Satisfaction brought it back was the tag that I always heard attached to that phrase. Curiosity is one of my defining characteristics and I am always grateful for it.
DeleteI am so often awed by the ways people find to overcome adversity - and to find/develop resilience. Stay well dear friend.
On whole another note. What happened to Cindi at Letting the Words Escape? I have not heard from her quite some time, and when I went to look, her blog is not there any more.
ReplyDeleteCharlotte (MotherOwl: Cindi has her divorce, has moved and is setting up a new life for herself. Her new blog can be found HERE
DeleteThank you. Good news indeed.
Delete... only sad she deleted the old one, but too mny unhappy thoughts may cling to it. The stories were brilliant, though.
DeleteCharlotte (MotherOwl): I hope she has kept her stores and may (in the fullness of time) post them on her new blog.
DeleteDear EC, just a short-short-short story: As the day passed, she realized that she'd been busy as a bee, flitting from one task to another. Taking the clean socks to the bedroom and opening the drawer of socks. Then sorting them all, then looking down and seeing the cat's fur on the rug, then flitting to the hall closet to get the sweeper and discovering that a winter jacket had fallen on the boxes there then decluttering them then . . . well the day passed, midnight came. the bed beckoned but one more flit to the office to look at the next day's entry for the Jacquie Lawson Advent Calendar. Ah, lovely and a game too. More flitting; more busy-ness; then, yes, flitting to bed, relaxing and finally . . . snoring not like the bee's buzz but the cat's yowl! Peace.
ReplyDeleteDear Dee: Thank you for joining us. I hope you are well and that your eyes are behaving.
DeleteYour day sounds very familiar. One task, interrupted by another - definitely busy as the most industrious bee.
Jazz and himself snore in unison. They are not musical.
Thank was purrfect:)
ReplyDeleteIdioms are great fun. There's a German idiom meaning 'it's all Greek to me!' that makes me smile and it's: ich verstehe nur Bahnhof! Literal translation: I only understand train station. :)
ReplyDeleteAs a kid I would laugh at the expression 'It's raining cats and dogs' because the visuals it brought to mind.
Bea: I grew up with the 'all Greek to me' phase too. I wonder whether that is my German father's influence. How did I forget 'it's raining cats and dogs'?
DeleteLooks like am the only one behind in participation hahahaha have been very busy and hoping for the best in new year.
ReplyDeleteSteve: Not a problem. Many of us are very busy - and I think we are all hoping for the best in the year to come. Stay well, stay safe.
Delete