IAIN KELLY

TO KILL A MOCKING BIRD

The power saw sliced through the panel at the wrong angle.

‘Dammit.’ The latest mishap during the garage renovation.

The myna bird laughed. Definitely a laugh this time.

Three days it had perched, mocking his every calamity.

‘Funny, is it?’ he asked. The yellow beak cachinnated.

He put some seed in his hand. The myna cocked it’s head and hopped towards him.

He grabbed it tight.

‘Think it’s funny now?’ he asked as he turned the power saw back on.

***

Two operations later his thumb was reattached.

There was a flash of yellow and a cackle at the hospital window.


myna-bird
Copyright Douglas M. McIlroy

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).

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

130 responses to “TO KILL A MOCKING BIRD”

  1. Dahlia Avatar

    Ouch! Never mock a mocking bird 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      There are easier battles to choose!

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Sheena Avatar

    Call me vicious, but me thinks the birdie should have flown off with the thumb and dropped it far far away.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Wow, that would be one mean bird!

      Like

  3. mandibelle16 Avatar
    mandibelle16

    Your bird reminds me somewhat of Edgar Allan Poe’s Raven, the same malice I think. Well written 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      A very flattering comparison, thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  4. rachelmalik99 Avatar
    rachelmalik99

    I really like this, particularly the repeating laugh. So glad the bird got the better of him too.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Rachel, very kind.

      Like

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Karma, justice or just a very smart bird!

      Like

  5. michaelwynnauthor Avatar

    Great Iain and a new word for me cachinnated, even my lap top doesn’t recognise it, red line underneath. They are a wicked sort of bird which endears them to me.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Michael

      Liked by 1 person

  6. magarisa Avatar

    Truly a mocking bird! Hilarious tale (not for the one who lost his thumb, of course).

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Natasha Avatar
    Natasha

    Ouch! But then what the heck. Good one Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Natasha

      Liked by 1 person

  8. athling2001 Avatar

    I’d say serves him right, but that’s a hard lesson learned.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      He won’t make the same mistake again, hopefully.

      Like

  9. anie Avatar
    anie

    a very good story !! A moral, something dark, surprising twist, something to laugh and in the end wins the sympathy!
    I also like the title very much. “He who laughs last laughs longest”, or “The laugh is always on the loser” … I think for the art it is best that the finger is off!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. anie Avatar
        anie

        I thank you!

        Liked by 1 person

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