A Wordzlle a Week...that's all we ask
Hard to believe, but it's the 40th week for Wordzzles over at Raven's Nest.
The idea is to use a set of random words in a way that makes sense to create a short short story - often just a paragraph - so here are Chatty's offerings.
The ten word challenge this week:
pipe organ,
ravages of time,
lottery tickets,
angelic music,
five x five,
boxes of books,
flattery will get you nowhere,
yodelling,
pig tails,
knitting needles
"The church’s annual Board of Directors meeting was off to a slow start. Hoping to move things along, I started with the obvious, pointing out that twenty-five x five years had not been kind to the pipe organ. The ravages of time had made what used to be angelic music issuing from its depths sound more like the yodelling that results when one steps on pig tails – knitting needles through the ears would be preferable, I continued, warming to my theme. “Flattery will get you nowhere” snarled the organ master sarcastically. “What we need to do is raise money for repairs,” I went on, sticking with the obvious. “I’ve got boxes of books I could donate to a white elephant sale. I’m sure everyone here has things they don’t need but that other people would buy. And if we could find some company to offer a big prize, we could sell lottery tickets.” The organ master’s face brightened perceptibly, hands were raised enthusiastically, and I grabbed a pencil to start making notes."
The five word Mini challenge:
canary yellow,
grizzly bear,
out of the frying pan into the fire,
simpleton,
Ministry of Crazy Walks
"The grizzly bear reeled out of the undergrowth, lurching madly from side to side like the Minister of Crazy Walks. Out of the frying pan, into the fire, I noted bitterly, having just dragged myself out of the lake after capsizing my canoe. What a simpleton I was – nothing like wearing a canary yellow slicker into the woods to draw the attention of the local wildlife. Of course, I hadn’t planned to be in the woods – but the lake had had other ideas."
That's all Chatty's got - what did you come up with?
The idea is to use a set of random words in a way that makes sense to create a short short story - often just a paragraph - so here are Chatty's offerings.
The ten word challenge this week:
pipe organ,
ravages of time,
lottery tickets,
angelic music,
five x five,
boxes of books,
flattery will get you nowhere,
yodelling,
pig tails,
knitting needles
"The church’s annual Board of Directors meeting was off to a slow start. Hoping to move things along, I started with the obvious, pointing out that twenty-five x five years had not been kind to the pipe organ. The ravages of time had made what used to be angelic music issuing from its depths sound more like the yodelling that results when one steps on pig tails – knitting needles through the ears would be preferable, I continued, warming to my theme. “Flattery will get you nowhere” snarled the organ master sarcastically. “What we need to do is raise money for repairs,” I went on, sticking with the obvious. “I’ve got boxes of books I could donate to a white elephant sale. I’m sure everyone here has things they don’t need but that other people would buy. And if we could find some company to offer a big prize, we could sell lottery tickets.” The organ master’s face brightened perceptibly, hands were raised enthusiastically, and I grabbed a pencil to start making notes."
The five word Mini challenge:
canary yellow,
grizzly bear,
out of the frying pan into the fire,
simpleton,
Ministry of Crazy Walks
"The grizzly bear reeled out of the undergrowth, lurching madly from side to side like the Minister of Crazy Walks. Out of the frying pan, into the fire, I noted bitterly, having just dragged myself out of the lake after capsizing my canoe. What a simpleton I was – nothing like wearing a canary yellow slicker into the woods to draw the attention of the local wildlife. Of course, I hadn’t planned to be in the woods – but the lake had had other ideas."
That's all Chatty's got - what did you come up with?
I read these short stories and I am so impressed by your ability to merge those words into comprehensive thoughts. I gave it a little try in my own mind...and now my brain is twisted up like a pretzel. I'm headed off to the gym in an attempt to relax!
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Great little stories. I knew an organist like that once. It was hard to convince her the organ needed repair.
I have stories from the original list up today and tomorrow from the revised list ( the one you used).
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We both used knitting needles in the ears. (snickering)
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Oh great stuff!
I particularly like the resignation in the mini that after sinking his canoe the bear came as no surprise! LOL
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Sounds just like the way things get done at my church! A little bickering, but a lot of cooperation in the end!
You mini reminds me of that saying ... the best layed plans of mice and men... very astray I would say! Fun reads!
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I loved both of these. The first one had the brought back memories of my days as VP of my Church Council, a group of wonderful people who could also drive me crazy.
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You know, at the rate people are being eaten by grizzly bears, I might be the only one writing a Wordzzle next week!
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I'm so happy that the organ is going to be refurbished. Good job persuading the old curmudgeion.
Nothing like an encounter with a grizzly while sporting a yellow slicker. Hope there aren't any bees in the vicinity...
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Good job. I liked the one about the poor guy who went from the frying oan into the bear ha! uhm make that fire.
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What a day . I liked quilly's comment also.
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your story telling abilities are superb, my friend! I love how you weave a tale!
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