The first freeze of the winter brought patches of treacherous ice.
Archie watched the school children sliding joyfully along.
Behind him, Agnes hummed Christmas songs as she hung baubles on the tree.
‘Tis the season to be jolly, tra-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la.’
Archie imagined what he would do with the large icicle hanging from the tree in the garden.
Tickly tinsel was wrapped round his head.
‘That’s it, I’m going out.’ Archie threw on his jacket.
Agnes watched Archie storm up the path, slide on the ice and end up sprawled on the ground.
The school children pointed and laughed uncontrollably. As did Agnes.
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.
Other short stories featuring Agnes and Archie can be read here: THE AGNES AND ARCHIE STORIES
Iain Kelly 
79 responses to “FESTIVE CHEER”
Dear Iain,
It sounds like Archie had laughter in mind. Cute story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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He is a big kid at heart, even if his body won’t let him be. Thanks Rochelle 🙂
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The title is just right, Iain. A very seasonal story
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Thanks Neil, but are you an Archie or an Agnes when it comes to the festive joys?
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If I knew what they were I could pick
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He sounds like the kind of cheery person you don’t want to have around.
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He’ll cheer up in time for Christmas dinner.
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The Grinch gets his comeuppance — or rather comedown-ance. 🙂
Good little story. Hope he catches the “merry” bug soon.
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He’ll be joining in by Christmas Day. Thanks Christine 🙂
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Seems that everyone is laughing but Archie. 😁
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He’ll see the funny side later on… much later on 🙂
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I’m a little concerned about what he plans to do with the large icicle 🙂
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So long as he only thinks it…
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I had the same thought—he was going to do something nasty with that icicle, wasn’t he?
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He was going to perhaps, but not anymore.
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Too sore probably.
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Ha ha – he deserved that grumpy ass! Not a great marriage there then? The icicles do present a wonderful weapon 🙂
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Thanks Anna. It’s a long lasting marriage where they’ve learned to live with each others different ways 🙂
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Great story. The characters were very distinct.
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Thank you.
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Looks like the icicle is safe for now! .Excellent Iain.
Click to read my FFfAW!
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Thanks Keith
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Bah Humbug to him! Who needs him around when we are all cheery, eh?
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When I see someone like him, I make sure to be extra cheery – which is what Agnes seems to be doing too!
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I’m with you on that, Iain!!
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Archie never gets a break, except maybe of his bones and pride.
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He has taken a few falls along the way, but he always comes back for more.
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Poor Archie – I could sympathise with him. 🙂
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thanks Susan – the first to offer him any sympathy! 🙂
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That was a sweet one Ian
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Thank you
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Oh Archie, will you never learn?
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Apparently he won’t! Thanks Janet.
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Fluent and entertaining, Iain.
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Oh, that poor Archie. He should know better than to storm around on icy sidewalks by now! But then, he never does learn, does he?
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No, he never does. Thanks Joy.
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What fun would life be if we didn’t fall flat on our faces once in a while
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Very true. Thanks Susan.
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Somehow, I feel that Archie lacks Christmas cheer. Or maybe I’m way off base.
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He’s not quite caught the spirit yet, maybe in a couple of weeks!
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Ha! Storming up the path of ice. Kind of got what he deserved. Hopefully it stirred his spirit.
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He’ll have to laugh about it at some point. Thanks Sascha.
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I have a bloggy friend who would say “Bah! Humbug!” I get the feeling they would get along.
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I’m sure they would!
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Poor Archie, after all, he was just getting the icicle to scratch his back…wasn’t he? 🙂
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Absolutely 😉
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I don’t suppose that’s going to make him any less grumpy 🙂
I was actually waiting for the “large icicle hanging from the tree” to deliver the coup de grace…
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Ha, I decided not to kill anyone off this week!
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There’s always an Archie.
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Based on real life. Thanks Bryan
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If he’d been more careful he could have killed her with an icicle and got away with it!
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Oh, I don’t know if he would have gone through with it…!
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Oh dear Archie is at it again. But I do love is child like fervour.
I can see myself in him. 😊
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His**
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Thanks Natasha, me too!
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He needs to slow down and get a sense of humour – and some grips for his shoes! Nicely told Iain
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Ha, yep a proper pair of boots would have helped 🙂
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Indeed! 🙂
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Oh dear. The grinch has struck again but so has karma it seems
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The Grinch always gets hit with karma in the end.
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That is a cute little story..it brought a smile on my face.
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Thank you, glad it gave you a smile 🙂
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i think archie had a good laugh himself sprawled on the ground. it was good fun. 🙂
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I like to think he saw the funny side.
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Wow, that’s bizare. I never read anyone else’s story before writing mine, so reading your fabulous story came as a bit of a shock! Maybe Agnes and Archie are in the same school as Charlie. Love your story 🙂
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Thank you.
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I’ve observed people falling on ice. The first thing they do is look around to see who might be watching. I guess that’s human nature. Let’s hope nothing was hurt but his ego.
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There’s no choice but to join in the laughter really.
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I could just hear Agnes singing, feel the irritating tickle of icicles on Archie’s head, and I wondered . . . just what did he have in mind for that large icicle? So much story in only 100 words. Loved it!
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Thank you so much Jan
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At least someone’s in a festive mood. Good writing, Iain. 😀 — Suzanne
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Thank you Suzanne
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Fun story!
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Glad you liked it Dawn
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Hmm a melting sharp icicle would be the perfect weapon. Except he might be too clumsy to carry it off. Fun story.
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Knowing Archie you are exactly right!
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Since my stroke, my outings into ice would tend to rival his fallen trip.
Scott
Mine: https://kindredspirit23.wordpress.com/2017/12/11/fall-of-our-discontent/
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Take care out there.
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I will. Thanks.
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