It’s just a tree. Nature at it’s most extraordinary. Why then does it look so menacing? Like an encircling web, or a tangled prison. Does it say more about my own character that I vilify it in this way? Is it symbolic of my own life? Am I trapped? Frustrated? Scared? My amble through the local woods has daily descended into to these dark musings. Time to return to burdensome reality. With a heavy step I turn my back on…
…bloody hell, who put that bloody great root there?
I pick myself up and brush off the dirt and leaves. The tree mocks me as I depart.
Written for Friday Fictioneers 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.
Also linking to Fandango’s One-Word Challenge for today: Vilify
Iain Kelly 
87 responses to “JUST BECAUSE I’M PARANOID…”
An inkling of Ents here, Iain
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Thanks Neil
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Phew! Nothing sinister happened 🙂
The tree read your thoughts & challenged you by surprising you with its cleverly put root!
I believe trees do have lives and understand what’s going on.
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They certainly do, and they like to have a little fun 🙂
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Dear Iain,
All those serious musings interrupted by clumsiness. It made me chuckle. Sounds like something that would happen to me. 😉 Well written.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle, glad it got the intended chuckle 🙂
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In your defense the tree does look pretty creepy!
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It really does. Thanks!
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Watch out Iain this is a tree that moves …Hobbits at dawn….
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Now Hobbits – they are sneaky things!
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A tree with a sense of humour… or malice.
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A little of both perhaps. Thanks Sandra
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Sorry, had to laugh at that ending. The rest of the story was so full of serious depth and introspection…then, pop, you twisted it. Oh, cruel one…. but, I did get a chuckle so all is forgiven. hehe!
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No need to apologise, I was playing it for laughs!
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Now that tree sounds like a drinking buddy. I’m sure it laughed, strange world we live in. Enjoyed the thoughts.
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Thanks so much 🙂
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Hari OM
LOL – oh you have to watch out for those trees… YAM xx
(I bought your e-books… now to find time to read them, what with A-Z rising and all…cabin fever hit and have decided to do it on both blogs and Instagram!)
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Thanks for reading and for buying my books, so very grateful 🙂 Don’t worry, you don’t have to have read them all by 1st April – the A-Z posts won’t give anything away 😉
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I saw it as having personality, too, Iain. I’m glad your character escaped!
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Definitely has personality, a little bit of cheek I thought 🙂
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More than a little 🙂
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Amazingly, nature can be both beautiful looking and evil in nature. It is all in how one looks at it, or in how one uses it.
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Thanks Michele, hope you are well.
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Trees are living things – be careful what you think when you’re among them!
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Best to show them respect at all times.
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Haha that’s a great ending Iain. What you get for mocking trees. 😁
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Thanks so much, glad you liked it 🙂
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Aye, it doesn’t pay to knock Mother Nature.
Nice sidestep into humour, Iain
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Thanks CE
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That’s a great fun short story and a wonderful picture. I bet that’s something like an oak being over run by a strangler fig. Well done, Iain.
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Thanks Mason, glad you enjoyed it.
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You’re welcome.
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😀 A tree-mendous tale!
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Haha! Thanks so much 🙂
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Well done – the tree that is! Nice one Iain.
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Thanks Keith 🙂
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I saw the menace of the tree also, Iain. I love what you did with it!
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Thank you 🙂
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You’re welcome 🙂
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I hate a tree that has to have the last word! What a good twist at the end after the serious reflection. And I guess we’re all doing a lot of that these days.
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Maybe a lot of us are spending too much time reflecting and not looking where we are going 🙂
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Yes, I think that’s a danger, but if we’re aware of the danger…
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been there and done that. now i always watch out for those roots when i walk in the woods. 🙂
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It’s easily done 🙂
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Ah, the tripping tree. I bet it shook heartily watching you go down.
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With a hint of a smile on its branches too.
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There’s more to this tree than meets the eye, beware! Great take on the prompt, Iain.
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Thanks Dora 🙂
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I think you got off easy with that one. I wouldn’t recommend pushing that tree too far. It’s all fun and games until it gets angry.
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Never does to upset nature too much!
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Back to reality with a bump! How nice to see the undignified interruption of pomposity!
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Thanks Penny 🙂
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At least his little trip-up pulled him from his dark thoughts. Though he probably has a persecution complex about trees now.
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Just another thing to add to his list
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Man, I’m with you. I looked at that picture and thought, “That thing is scary — I’m not writing about that!” But you managed to put some humor into it, so maybe I’ll try again. Good story.
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Thanks Eugenia 🙂
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A great ‘turn’ at the end. I liked this!
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Thanks so much Susan 🙂
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We’ve been watching, and it’s not the tree, narrator. It’s you. Fun story that made me want to give a tongue in cheek answer to the unasked question.
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Thanks Anne
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I think his musings offended the tree. He should be more careful next time. Very creative!!
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Thanks Brenda
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I like this tree – he gave him a little what-for!
That definitely got a chuckle out of me.
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The chuckle was the aim 🙂
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Success!
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I think that tree’s rooting for you 🙃
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🙂
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That was great. I can hear the tree laughing. Sometimes we take ourselves too seriously, don’t we?
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We really do 🙂
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I really felt like the tree was striking back! Great story.
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Thanks so much Patricia
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Sneaky tree. I love this. Walking in the forest makes one prone to rambling thoughts and I like that the tree has a little bit of devil in it.
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A tree with attitude. Thanks so much 🙂
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Hahaha oh I love this. The deep thoughts of the meaning of life and then the tree’s revenge. Brilliant.
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Thanks Laurie 🙂
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Your story was comment maker for sure. I, like several others, had to laugh at the humbling end of this man and his philosophizing!
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Sometimes we do need to be brought back down to earth. Thanks Oneta.
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It definitely looks like it would swallow you up if you got too near!!
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Thank you!
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You’re welcome.
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Time to get the axe out 😉
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Paranoid! You or the tree? Clever use of the prompt!
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Or both! Thanks Neel 🙂
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I like the musings style of the story teller, it rings bells for me of going for one’s lockdown walk grumbling to oneself.
Apparently trees can communicate with each other through underground networks….
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A walk in the fresh air is a good time to have these thoughts, just don’t over-indulge! 😉
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LOL!! Like that twist! 🙂
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Thank you!
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