Flying Islands – Stuff Happens #microfiction

Posted on Nov 14, 2016 by TanGental

Jane Doughtery’s picture prompt is 

jane-utopia

Decluttering

 Out in the ocean, there is an archipelago of small evenly-sized islands where the Frngg people live. Each island is home to a Frngg family. Once a family moves in, it stays until either there are no children or there is a serious breach of Frngg etiquette. The list is long and difficult to interpret and the worst infraction is cluttering.

Cluttering involves a failure to (a) keep the open areas tidy and (b) dispose of all unnecessary possessions. Frngg understand there is a premium on space.

Peter Nrrth is different. He likes stuff; from shells on the beach to dead animals that fall from the sky, he has kept everything. The battles with his father and, later, the authorities became the stuff of legend.

Eventually Peter stood in front of the elders and waited for their decision. It was inevitable; it was eviction.

He shrugged. ‘You’ll be sorry.’

The seated judges scowled and told him to remove his possessions forthwith.

‘Nope, you do it.’

And so, on a sunny Thursday, the contractors appeared and filled a barge while Peter and his family watched. Peter looked relaxed and his family did their best to copy their leader but they all felt he had gone mad and they would now be homeless and made to live on a raft until an island became free.

As the last workman left, Peter walked to the small jetty and untied the rope. At the moment the rope fell loose, the island shook and groaned and begin to float.

Peter smiled at his family, at the stunned faces of the other islanders. His wife stuttered, ‘How…?’

‘All my stuff was keeping us anchored. Now we are free to explore our world. And,’ his eye had a wicked twinkle, ‘find some more stuff, lots of stuff.’

Oddly, the rest of his family didn’t share his excitement.

About TanGental

My name is Geoff Le Pard. Once I was a lawyer; now I am a writer. I've published several books: a four book series following Harry Spittle as he grows from hapless student to hapless partner in a London law firm; four others in different genres; a book of poetry; four anthologies of short fiction; and a memoir of my mother. I have several more in the pipeline. I have been blogging regularly since 2014, on topic as diverse as: poetry based on famous poems; memories from my life; my garden; my dog; a whole variety of short fiction; my attempts at baking and food; travel and the consequent disasters; theatre, film and book reviews; and the occasional thought piece. Mostly it is whatever takes my fancy. I avoid politics, mostly, and religion, always. I don't mean to upset anyone but if I do, well, sorry and I suggest you go elsewhere. These are my thoughts and no one else is to blame. If you want to nab anything I post, please acknowledge where it came from.
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28 Responses to Flying Islands – Stuff Happens #microfiction

  1. Deb says:
    Nov 14, 2016 at 1:24 pm

    Oh, this is beautiful. I would have shared his excitement for sure. It is time for Peter to go on a fresh adventure. A great lesson learned today.

    Like

  2. Jane Dougherty says:
    Nov 14, 2016 at 2:28 pm

    Peter sounds very much like someone I know. In fact, I live with him.

    Liked by 2 people

  3. Ritu says:
    Nov 14, 2016 at 5:45 pm

    I wanna Peter too! Floating on an island with space to collect new stuff!!!!

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Let's CUT the Crap! says:
    Nov 14, 2016 at 11:15 pm

    Sometimes laughing hurts. This is one of those times. 😀 😛 😀

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Sarah Brentyn says:
    Nov 15, 2016 at 12:30 am

    Love it. 😀 Also, the beginning reminds me a bit of Douglas Adams.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Hugh's Views and News says:
    Nov 15, 2016 at 10:59 am

    A very ‘cute’ piece of flash fiction, Geoff. Loved the imagination behind it. I always thought floating islands were some kind of dessert?

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Sacha Black says:
    Nov 15, 2016 at 11:28 am

    Awesome photo. I know ur bit is the flash, but I also love the photo!

    Liked by 1 person

  8. noelleg44 says:
    Nov 15, 2016 at 12:41 pm

    Just so long as he’s not a hoarder!

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Eileen says:
    Nov 16, 2016 at 3:13 am

    Love your creative mind. It must be cluttered though for all your wonderful stories to come out of it. Perhaps you are on a floating Island of the mind and that way encounter fresh ideas every day.

    Liked by 1 person

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  11. Lorraine & her frilly freudian slip says:
    Nov 17, 2016 at 5:53 pm

    Wonderful story. I married into a family of hoarders and I come from a family of purgers. Makes for interesting discussions — no flying islands as yet.
    Thoroughly enjoyed the end even if his family did not!

    Liked by 1 person

  12. merrildsmith says:
    Nov 17, 2016 at 6:35 pm

    Good story–made me laugh. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Joy Pixley says:
    Nov 17, 2016 at 10:34 pm

    I always did suspect those people who keep everything uncluttered. Now I feel justified in my chaos: it’s keeping me grounded. 😉 Thanks for the laugh!

    Liked by 1 person

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