This week’s #carrotranch prompt is
May 27, 2021, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that includes tiny flying insects. Think about how the insects shape the scene or add to the action. Go where the prompt leads!
‘Have you thought about this year’s holiday, Logan?’
‘I’m staying here.’
‘Oh you can’t. We’ve been locked in and…’
‘We chased our tails around the States, if you remember….’
‘That wasn’t a holiday.’
‘You’re telling me…’
‘I meant it was business…’
‘Those goats weren’t a pleasure, that’s true.’
‘So a holiday…’
‘Abroad is out.’
‘We could do a staycation.’
‘Not England.’
‘Why?’
‘Too many English.’
‘What about Wales?’
‘Too wet…’
‘Scotland…’
‘We’ll never survive the attacks.’
‘They’re not unfriendly…’
‘We’re not talking of the people. Remember?’
‘Ah…’
‘Exactly. Midges. Genetically designed to eat the English. William Wallaces with wings…’
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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.
TanGental 
Oh yes, I know them well!
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Great take! Were midges really selected/bred/designed for use against the English? I think I need to do some research… I don’t even know what a midge is! Though the flies here down-under sound comparable.
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They probably weren’t a deliberate modification, it just seems that way!
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I can appreciate that sentiment! The flies that arrive en masse, as if out of nowhere upon the Aussie heat, often feel like a personal attack on our existence here.
Not fun at all.
I like how you used the idea of modification to emphasise it.
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I remember camping in Kakadu and being assaulted by those persistent little buggers. They way they tried to sit on my eyeballs was enough to drive anyone potty… now they could have been an Aussi modification to get back at another hapless Brit!
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Ahaha! Yes! Another modified form. They are horrid little things. And the ears too!! They try for the ears way too much for my liking. They were onto something with those hanging cork hats.
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My uncle moved to NSW in 1960 and stayed until 1971 and there’s a photo of him and my aunt somewhere sporting just such a titfer… we had a more functional net cover but corks would have been cool…
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You certainly winged that one well
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Ha, thank you
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I love that last line, Geoff. So funny!
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Thanks. Written from (bitter) personal experience.
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I don’t like the sound of that!
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I’ve just learned about Scotland’s midges from a second source. Will bring bug spray next year!
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Oh boy you’ll need it.
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Oh yes, midge season should be well under way now. Better stay in the south.
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We have our own southern nasties sadly. The recent rains and now sun are encouraging the little darlings too!,
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