A Good Death #99wordstories #carrotranch

Posted on Sep 14, 2022 by TanGental

This week’s prompt from the Carrot Ranch is

September 12, 2022, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about balloons on a bumper. Is it a spectacle, an occasion, an eccentricity? Why are the balloons there? Who is involved? Go where the prompt leads!

Harold Cottonbud, Little Tittweaking’ infamous aviator, always wanted to fly. As a small child he made wings from two wire coathangers and Sibelius, the pet chicken’s feathers. Sibelius’ complaints on being defeathered, if not melodious were certainly symphonic. As for flying, Harold’s ensuing faceplant offered the denuded bird the chance of some avian schadenfreude. Finally, Harold devised a foolproof plan, attaching helium balloons to his toy car’s bumpers. As Harold disappeared skywards, Sibelius’ clucks became chuckles, while locals used ‘what goes up, stays up’ to connote stupidity. In time Harold became renowned in Little Tittweaking as a ‘stupid plucker’.

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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20 Responses to A Good Death #99wordstories #carrotranch

  1. Sadje says:
    Sep 14, 2022 at 10:09 am

    Cute story

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Peter's pondering says:
    Sep 14, 2022 at 11:44 am

    I read this aloud in a very squeaky voice! I was also compelled to research Helium. How genuinely fascinating.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Pam Lazos says:
    Sep 14, 2022 at 12:08 pm

    We have the Lancaster Balloon Festival this weekend. Perhaps one of those on a bumper?😂

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Gary A Wilson says:
    Sep 14, 2022 at 12:15 pm

    Poor guy.
    I recall the guy who tried this with his comfy lawn chair, raining quite a public huff when he drifted into one of the many LA airport’s landing pattern. He too ended up with a reputation for being an early adopter of California stupidity.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Noelle A. Granger says:
    Sep 14, 2022 at 2:41 pm

    Funny story. Ranks right up there with the idiot who went aloft with weather balloons tied to his lawn chair and a BB gun to shoot them out when he wanted to come down. The FAA got into it when a passenger plane flew by hi and reported it.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. tootlepedal says:
    Sep 14, 2022 at 11:59 pm

    I was going to comment but I am lost for words. They are probably up there with that stupid plucker.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Norah says:
    Sep 18, 2022 at 7:59 am

    Very funny!

    Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.