Author Archives: Ross Mannell

 
What greater work of future hope does come,
 
With parents both greeting their newborn child,
 
The love, hopeful dreams of every new mum,
 
She cradles her bundle, “Has he just smiled?”
 
Home, the family, his journey begins,
 
First crawling, then walking, talking with style,
 
He grows oh so quickly, wish he were twins,
 
Some tantrums, some tears but so much more smile.
 
Soon school comes along, he faces with cheer,
 
Now reading and writing, good at sports too,
 
He moves through with ease each year after year,
 
First college, sweetheart then marriage ensue.
 
Once more a child comes but this time to him,
 
“A girl!” he exclaims, embracing his Kim.

The Task: “You are to use the last 10 words of the post next to yours and using just 100 words create a story. It may be a follow-on from the previous one or you may like to take it in a different direction.”
The Source: “Autumn Goes Sky Diving” appearing on the blog “HURTLED TO 60 AND NOW BEYOND…”

The 10 Words: “ a sense of exhilaration swept over her as they landed “

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A sense of exhilaration swept over her as they landed. Autumn felt herself being unbuckled by Harry. She turned to thank him for her skydiving experience but joy turned to surprise.

“I’m late,” a white rabbit said. “We must go.”

Too confused to resist, the rabbit hopped along with Autumn in tow.

“Are you Alice’s White Rabbit?” Autumn asked.

“Alice who? We’re late!”

Before she could stop him, Autumn was pulled into a hole. She was falling, this time without Harry.

She felt herself being shaken, “Autumn, are you alright?”

“Huh?”

It was Harry, “You passed out as we landed.”

Marie had an invisible friend. It worried her mother.

“I’m Doctor Dodgson. You can call me Alice. I’d like to speak to Marie alone.”

Alice was about to close the door when Marie warned, “He’s late.”

“What was the rabbit late for?” wondered Alice as she saw a rabbit enter. “I see you brought your pet rabbit.”

Marie giggled, “You see him?”

The rabbit stood, “Surely you remember me?”

Alice’s childhood memories flooded back, “White Rabbit?”

“It’s time for Marie’s adventures in Wonderland.”

Alice realised what fun lay ahead for Marie.

Speaking to Marie’s mother, “Marie is perfectly alright, I once had an imaginary friend just like hers.”

“What’s in the red box, sweetheart?”

“Something special, grandpa. I saw a man on television carrying a red box. People said it had very important things inside.”

Grandpa was growing very curious.

“Can you keep a secret, grandpa?”

Grandpa nodded so the contents were revealed one at a time.

“A photo of us all together to show our family, a drawing of a heart to show our love, smiles for us when we’re sad and cuddles for us to keep us warm.”

The grandchild paused, “Grandpa, what do you think was in the television man’s red box?”

“Nothing as important as yours, sweetheart.”

Schools and students have permission to use this graphic for non-commercial, educational purposes.

Time had almost arrived. All was ready for the beginning. Soon the word would be given.

“What’s this?” an amused voice resounded.

Time had started too soon, “…but I turned it off. I thought it’d cool.”

“Little angels need to learn patience,” came a smiling reply.

“Are you angry?”

“No, I knew it would be so.”

A singularity, immensely hot and dense started its rapid expansion, cooling as it moved. Subatomic particles formed. Protons, neutrons and electrons combined to make atoms, the process begun.

There was light and it was good. Time will tell if what’s given is used wisely.

Schools and students have permission to use this graphic for non-commercial, educational purposes.