IAIN KELLY

FESTIVE CHEER

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.


icicles-dale-rogerson
Copyright Dale Rogerson

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

79 responses to “FESTIVE CHEER”

  1. rochellewisoff Avatar

    Dear Iain,

    It sounds like Archie had laughter in mind. Cute story.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      He is a big kid at heart, even if his body won’t let him be. Thanks Rochelle 🙂

      Like

  2. neilmacdon Avatar

    The title is just right, Iain. A very seasonal story

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Neil, but are you an Archie or an Agnes when it comes to the festive joys?

      Like

      1. neilmacdon Avatar

        If I knew what they were I could pick

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Sandra Avatar

    He sounds like the kind of cheery person you don’t want to have around.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      He’ll cheer up in time for Christmas dinner.

      Like

  4. Christine Goodnough Avatar

    The Grinch gets his comeuppance — or rather comedown-ance. 🙂
    Good little story. Hope he catches the “merry” bug soon.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      He’ll be joining in by Christmas Day. Thanks Christine 🙂

      Like

  5. magarisa Avatar

    Seems that everyone is laughing but Archie. 😁

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      He’ll see the funny side later on… much later on 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  6. granonine Avatar

    I’m a little concerned about what he plans to do with the large icicle 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      So long as he only thinks it…

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Jane Dougherty Avatar

    I had the same thought—he was going to do something nasty with that icicle, wasn’t he?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      He was going to perhaps, but not anymore.

      Like

      1. Jane Dougherty Avatar

        Too sore probably.

        Liked by 1 person

  8. Anna Rymer Avatar

    Ha ha – he deserved that grumpy ass! Not a great marriage there then? The icicles do present a wonderful weapon 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Anna. It’s a long lasting marriage where they’ve learned to live with each others different ways 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  9. J.A. Prentice Avatar

    Great story. The characters were very distinct.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  10. Keith's Ramblings Avatar

    Looks like the icicle is safe for now! .Excellent Iain.

    Click to read my FFfAW!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Keith

      Like

  11. Dale Avatar
    Dale

    Bah Humbug to him! Who needs him around when we are all cheery, eh?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      When I see someone like him, I make sure to be extra cheery – which is what Agnes seems to be doing too!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Dale Avatar
        Dale

        I’m with you on that, Iain!!

        Like

  12. James Avatar

    Archie never gets a break, except maybe of his bones and pride.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      He has taken a few falls along the way, but he always comes back for more.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Susan A Eames Avatar

    Poor Archie – I could sympathise with him. 🙂

    Susan A Eames at
    Travel, Fiction and Photos

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Susan – the first to offer him any sympathy! 🙂

      Like

  14. Akshata Ram Avatar

    That was a sweet one Ian

    Liked by 1 person

  15. scr4pl80 Avatar

    Oh Archie, will you never learn?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Apparently he won’t! Thanks Janet.

      Liked by 1 person

  16. pennygadd51 Avatar

    Fluent and entertaining, Iain.

    Like

  17. Joy Pixley Avatar

    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?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      No, he never does. Thanks Joy.

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Susan Avatar

    What fun would life be if we didn’t fall flat on our faces once in a while

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Very true. Thanks Susan.

      Like

  19. Alicia Jamtaas Avatar

    Somehow, I feel that Archie lacks Christmas cheer. Or maybe I’m way off base.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      He’s not quite caught the spirit yet, maybe in a couple of weeks!

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Sascha Darlington Avatar

    Ha! Storming up the path of ice. Kind of got what he deserved. Hopefully it stirred his spirit.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      He’ll have to laugh about it at some point. Thanks Sascha.

      Liked by 1 person

  21. Alice Audrey Avatar

    I have a bloggy friend who would say “Bah! Humbug!” I get the feeling they would get along.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I’m sure they would!

      Like

  22. anuragbakhshi Avatar

    Poor Archie, after all, he was just getting the icicle to scratch his back…wasn’t he? 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Absolutely 😉

      Like

  23. draliman Avatar

    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…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Ha, I decided not to kill anyone off this week!

      Like

  24. bbryanthomas Avatar
    bbryanthomas

    There’s always an Archie.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Based on real life. Thanks Bryan

      Liked by 1 person

  25. Liz Young Avatar

    If he’d been more careful he could have killed her with an icicle and got away with it!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Oh, I don’t know if he would have gone through with it…!

      Like

  26. Natasha Avatar
    Natasha

    Oh dear Archie is at it again. But I do love is child like fervour.
    I can see myself in him. 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Natasha Avatar
      Natasha

      His**

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Natasha, me too!

      Liked by 1 person

  27. Lynn Love Avatar

    He needs to slow down and get a sense of humour – and some grips for his shoes! Nicely told Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Ha, yep a proper pair of boots would have helped 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Lynn Love Avatar

        Indeed! 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  28. Laurie Bell Avatar

    Oh dear. The grinch has struck again but so has karma it seems

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      The Grinch always gets hit with karma in the end.

      Liked by 1 person

  29. Balaka Avatar

    That is a cute little story..it brought a smile on my face.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you, glad it gave you a smile 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  30. plaridel Avatar

    i think archie had a good laugh himself sprawled on the ground. it was good fun. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I like to think he saw the funny side.

      Liked by 1 person

  31. landofimages Avatar

    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 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  32. rgayer55 Avatar

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      There’s no choice but to join in the laughter really.

      Like

  33. Jan Vanek Avatar

    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!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much Jan

      Like

  34. patriciaruthsusan Avatar

    At least someone’s in a festive mood. Good writing, Iain. 😀 — Suzanne

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Suzanne

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Glad you liked it Dawn

      Liked by 1 person

  35. subroto Avatar

    Hmm a melting sharp icicle would be the perfect weapon. Except he might be too clumsy to carry it off. Fun story.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Knowing Archie you are exactly right!

      Like

  36. kindredspirit23 Avatar

    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/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Take care out there.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. kindredspirit23 Avatar

        I will. Thanks.

        Liked by 1 person

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