IAIN KELLY

25

The plant pot lay in pieces on the pavement.

Iain lay unconscious beside it.

He should’ve paid more attention.

Lady Wisoff-Fields claimed it was accidental.

 

roger-bultot-flower
© Roger Bultot

Written as part of the Friday Fictioneers challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above). Last week I overstepped the word limit. As penance, as an apology and out of respect, I offer only 25 words this week to redress the balance. Thanks to Sandra Crook for the original suggestion!

To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

98 responses to “25”

  1. Sandra Avatar
    Sandra

    Love it, love it! 🙂 Complete story arc, stunning plot, paucity of prose. Gold star performance.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      🙂 thanks Sandra. I rather enjoyed having only 25 words to use, certainly makes for a clinical edit.

      Like

      Reply
  2. Joyfrida Avatar
    Joyfrida

    Best flash fiction I have read this week , very good

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Ha, thanks Joy, high praise indeed 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  3. MrBinks Avatar
    MrBinks

    Well played, sir. As full as it was brief.

    Like

    Reply
  4. neelwritesblog Avatar
    neelwritesblog

    Oh! this was outstanding Lain, even by your standards.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Neel, maybe I should stick to 25 words each week?! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  5. neilmacdon Avatar
    neilmacdon

    Less than a drabble, less than a dribble, and yet still I saw the detective with his waxed mustachios and the assembled guests in the drawing room

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Neil, I’m glad it conjured up this image 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  6. rochellewisoff Avatar
    rochellewisoff

    Dear Iain,

    It was an accident! I swear it! You did it! My hat’s off to you, sir. I laughed out loud! Bravo!

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Rochelle, glad I raised a smile this week to make up for last week. Lesson learned, Iain 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. rochellewisoff Avatar
        rochellewisoff

        And you did it brilliantly. 😀

        Liked by 1 person

  7. prior.. Avatar
    prior..

    well you sure did a lot with 25 words – and of course it was an accident… ha!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Many thanks 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  8. J Hardy Carroll Avatar
    J Hardy Carroll

    The aftermath of a silent movie! It’s all fun and games until someone loses an eye. 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      🙂

      Like

      Reply
  9. joyroses13 Avatar
    joyroses13

    Ah!! Great job! Less, can sometimes be so much more 🙂 The words had just the right impact.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Joy, very true 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  10. yarnspinnerr Avatar
    yarnspinnerr

    Excellent write. Reminds me of 33 word trifecta challenge.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  11. spicedmullings Avatar
    spicedmullings

    Wonderful in its brevity. Funny in its ending!
    I giggled away!
    Awesome!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Many thanks, much appreciated 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  12. wmqcolby Avatar
    wmqcolby

    HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! You appeased the Purple Goddess. All depart.

    As for her modus operandi, I usually just get slapped in the face. Never a vase. Then again, there’s always a first time …

    Five out of five “calla lilies are in bloom again.” 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you, biggest laugh of the day so far. She appears to be appeased, I can sleep again at last. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. wmqcolby Avatar
        wmqcolby

        😀

        Liked by 1 person

  13. jellico84 Avatar
    jellico84

    Good one, loved it! Accidental my ***. LoL! Great story.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks, that’s her story and she’s sticking to it! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. jellico84 Avatar
        jellico84

        giggles…

        Liked by 1 person

  14. janfields Avatar
    janfields

    Loved the 25 word response/story. Rochelle and I both got a kick out of it. You will fit in well with all the witty followers here. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Jan, glad you enjoyed it 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  15. James Avatar
    James

    So, you are your own victim?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It’s good to kill yourself off once in a while. always to reappear later on of course!

      Like

      Reply
  16. Kecia Sparlin Avatar
    Kecia Sparlin

    Hahahaha!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  17. Lynn Love Avatar
    Lynn Love

    Ha! That’s great Iain! A full story in 25 words – brilliant. Now, if we only knew where to find the killer … 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Lynn, I wonder where she could be 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
      1. Lynn Love Avatar
        Lynn Love

        🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  18. Life Lessons of a Dog Lover Avatar
    Life Lessons of a Dog Lover

    Wow and I thought 100 words was a challenge.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      In some ways it was easier – there aren’t too many choices to make!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  19. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) Avatar
    Björn Rudberg (brudberg)

    Ian, you should not do gardening on the windowsill… love the story.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Bjorn 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  20. Siobhan McNamara Avatar
    Siobhan McNamara

    Delighted that you lived to tell the tale after your ‘accident!’

    Like

    Reply
  21. Dale Avatar
    Dale

    Boom! Great job, Iain! I love how you retaliated and frankly, you told a whole story in one quarter of the words… Hmmmm… 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Dale 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  22. Keith's Ramblings Avatar
    Keith’s Ramblings

    Ouch! I hope you come round in time for next weeks story!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Tune in to see if I make it 🙂

      Like

      Reply
      1. Keith's Ramblings Avatar
        Keith’s Ramblings

        I’ll be first in the queue!

        Liked by 1 person

  23. Alicia Jamtaas Avatar
    Alicia Jamtaas

    Ha!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      🙂

      Like

      Reply
  24. plaridel Avatar
    plaridel

    pure genius. the best this week.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Very kind, thank you!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  25. Joy Pixley Avatar
    Joy Pixley

    Clever response, and very funny too! Not sure I’d believe this “accident” story, but maybe you’d better, just to keep the peace. 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Best to keep quiet and carry on as though nothing happened now 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Joy Pixley Avatar
        Joy Pixley

        Good plan. I won’t mention it to anyone. 😉

        Liked by 1 person

  26. draliman Avatar
    draliman

    Ha ha! You actually did write a mini-story, and a great one too 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Many thanks, I do feel like I’ve achieved something! 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  27. Clare Hempstead Avatar
    Clare Hempstead

    Absolutely brilliant. I really did laugh when I read it!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Clare, glad it’s giving everyone a little chuckle 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  28. FabricatingFiction Avatar
    FabricatingFiction

    love it!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Louise 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  29. Jade M. Wong Avatar
    Jade M. Wong

    This was brilliant Iain! Simple and clever and you still managed to tell a full story 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Jade really appreciate your comment 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  30. nonsmokingladybug Avatar
    nonsmokingladybug

    Oh, Dear! Well done. I bet Rochelle laughed when she read that you punished yourself. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      She seemed to enjoy it 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  31. Laurie Bell Avatar
    Laurie Bell

    Short but oh so clever! Well told. Loved this

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Laurie, glad you liked it 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  32. trentpmcd Avatar
    trentpmcd

    I guess I’ll have to watch that word count carefully. I don’t want to “accidentally” follow the flower pot (and you) out of that window… Nice piece of penance.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Trent, yeah, I wouldn’t advice going over the word limit! 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  33. handmadejewelryhaven Avatar
    handmadejewelryhaven

    Overstepping word counts are one thing….did you have to kill yourself too?? 😉
    – Lisa

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Only I’m fiction thankfully, I can rewrite myself alive next week 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  34. Tamal Avatar
    Tamal

    Awesome.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Tamal

      Like

      Reply
  35. rgayer55 Avatar
    rgayer55

    Well played, Iain. A masterpiece in brevity. My hat’s off to you.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Many thanks Sir.

      Like

      Reply
  36. samanthamacmaster Avatar
    samanthamacmaster

    I suspect that it twas no accident. That’s what happens when you go over the word limit 😉 (altho I am one of the worst offenders!)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I won’t tell anyone 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  37. Liz Young Avatar
    Liz Young

    … and now you’ve proved you can do it – clever boy! 100 words next time?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I think I’ll go for 100 words exactly from now on! Thanks Liz 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  38. HonieBriggs Avatar
    HonieBriggs

    Nicely done, Sir!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Many thanks 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  39. Michael Wynn Avatar
    Michael Wynn

    Haha! that’ll teach you, you won’t be naughty again.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Michael, a lesson for everyone 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  40. Edith M. Field Avatar
    Edith M. Field

    A superb story. I loved it. Well done, Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Edith 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  41. Sascha Darlington Avatar
    Sascha Darlington

    lol Very well done, Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Sascha 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  42. Dawn Quyle Landau Avatar
    Dawn Quyle Landau

    Redeemed you are! Now I have to go back to last week and see what I missed! Nice job, in 25 clever words. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Dawn 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  43. Sarah Potter Writes Avatar
    Sarah Potter Writes

    Although I’ve not had time to participate in FF this week, I just had to see what you’d written for your 25-word penance! Rochelle told me it was brilliant, and I agree 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Sarah, I really appreciate you reading and the compliment. I think I’m back in the good books for now 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  44. lingeringvisions by Dawn Avatar
    lingeringvisions by Dawn

    I was a little confused for a moment but the back story made it clear. This is superb! lol

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Dawn

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  45. patriciaruthsusan Avatar
    patriciaruthsusan

    That was great, Iain, and truly classic. Agatha Christie couldn’t have done better. It was also hilarious. 😀 — Suzanne

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Suzanne, high praise indeed 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  46. creatingahome Avatar
    creatingahome

    Oh I loved this Iain brilliant.
    🙂
    🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks, a bit of fun that has gone down well 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  47. Dahlia Avatar
    Dahlia

    Absolutely brilliant!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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