The Balloonatics #carrotranch #flashfiction

Posted on Nov 28, 2021 by TanGental

This weeks carrot ranch prompt is

November 25, 2021, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write about a canceled flight. Where was the flight headed? Who does it impact and why? How does a protagonist handle the situation? Go where the prompt leads!

The Balloonatics

Godfrey Pricktingle held two important positions in Little Tittweaking society: chair of the hot air balloon club, the ‘Balloonatics’; and umpire of the spring betfest, when the village cow, Moose was released after her winter’s incarceration, enabling the residents to bet on where she would defecate first. Each year Godfrey offered to fly the winner around the village as a treat and each declined. Godfrey feared it was the smell that put people off; others worried someone might literally ‘take flight’ to avoid inhaling. In truth, the agglomeration of methane about his person rendered Godfrey a distinct fire hazard.

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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37 Responses to The Balloonatics #carrotranch #flashfiction

  1. Ritu says:
    Nov 28, 2021 at 10:04 am

    Where oh, where, do these names appear from, His Geoffleship??!!🤣

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Erika says:
    Nov 28, 2021 at 10:43 am

    Oh, my God 😂

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Peter's pondering says:
    Nov 28, 2021 at 11:47 am

    I am pondering on flying winter around the village! I rather like the concept.

    Liked by 2 people

  5. derrickjknight says:
    Nov 28, 2021 at 1:48 pm

    We can all see where your mind was at with the names, Geoff

    Liked by 1 person

  6. willowdot21 says:
    Nov 28, 2021 at 3:21 pm

    A relative of Joseph Pujol . 💜

    Liked by 1 person

  7. noelleg44 says:
    Nov 28, 2021 at 4:08 pm

    Those people must have been DESPERATE to stoop to betting on where a cow would poop! But I’ve bet on sillier things!

    Like

  8. John W. Howell says:
    Nov 28, 2021 at 6:48 pm

    Sweet synergy. (Step away with that cigar)

    Liked by 1 person

  9. D. Wallace Peach says:
    Nov 28, 2021 at 9:07 pm

    I love the names, Geoff. Too funny. And this story… I’m still chuckling. You have a wild imagination. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  10. JT Twissel says:
    Nov 28, 2021 at 9:28 pm

    You can’t beat a Pricktingle and his pooping cow.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. robertawrites235681907 says:
    Nov 29, 2021 at 5:23 am

    What a vivid imagination you have, Geoff.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Norah says:
    Nov 30, 2021 at 11:26 am

    I don’t know how you do it, Geoff. So funny.

    Like

  13. Rebecca Glaessner Author says:
    Nov 30, 2021 at 11:53 pm

    Hilarious work Geoff! Determination, desperation, confusion, it all spills out of this one in such a delightful way.

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Charli Mills says:
    Dec 2, 2021 at 5:31 am

    You work well in the medium of laughing gas, Geoff!

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Pingback: Canceled Flight « Carrot Ranch Literary Community

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