The flowers have come up well this year. White and red, her favourite colours.
She arrives. I hope to impress. She glances at them, nods a little, makes a note on her clipboard.
It’s over in less than ten minutes and she’s gone. All that work.
A week later. The results are emailed to the members of the Horticultural Society. I’m not even in the top three.
Rage subsides to anger, turns to determination. Time to start again.
I invite her round to discuss what more I can do.
Like I did last year, with the previous head judge. Just before they mysteriously disappeared.
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.
Iain Kelly 
57 responses to “FERTILISATION”
I like those mysterious disappearances at the end.
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Thanks Frank
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Oh what fresh (bloody) hell is this? Dorothy Parkef and I need to know! 😂😂
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**Parker**
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Some take their gardening seriously 🙂
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To lose one judge may be thought a misfortune. To lose two will seem like carelessness
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There could be a definite pattern emerging… Thanks Neil
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Mysteriously? Hmmm…. The problem is, the judges don’t think alike, so if you pick their brains literally after doing it figuratively, you may be doing it for nought since the new judge may have entirely different criteria.
Perhaps the top three would make better fertilizer.
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Interesting perspective – I will relay your plans! 😉
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lol, I said nothing…
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I hope next year’s judge takes note of the unexplained disappearance of the two previous judges.
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Let’s hope so…! Thanks Di
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Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thank you!
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Something sinister is going on
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You have to watch those quiet gardeners! 😉
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Yes, that should be the way
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Enough judges and I’m sure they will win a prize, one way or another. Good story and wasn’t expecting your twist at all.
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Thank you 🙂
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You’re welcome 🙂
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i won’t be surprised if the missing had become fertilizers for next year’s event.
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Got to get that soil just right! 🙂
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You have to admire a gardener with that sort of dedication; it shows real commitment to the soil…
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Thanks Penny – I may not come round to check out your flowerbeds in the future! 🙂
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Dear Iain,
Now there’s a person who raises the bar on “sore loser.” Love that subtle title. Says so much. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you Rochelle 😉
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I was cross when my carrots didn’t win a prize, perhaps I should have done the same!
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It’s an extreme solution, but I’m sure your carrots deserved a prize!
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Such dedication! 😉
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If your going to do something, do it right! 😉
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I see a beautiful prison garden to care for in his future. There’s dedication to a hobby and then there’s fanaticism. I love the end, great fun.
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True, plenty of time to garden behind bars! 🙂
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One must be cautions when one judges the work of others. Even garden clubs have their problems. Well done, Iain.
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Thanks Bill – someone will always be upset with the result, and bitterness ensues!
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So it does. 🙂
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Maybe this judge will be better at fertilising his flowers than the last one and he will win next time!
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Another way to blame the judges if he doesn’t succeed!
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Perfect bottom line — I’m still grinning.
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Thanks Eugenia 🙂
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Oh my, I guess the prize is very important.
Rancor came out to play with the judges.
Two lost … who’s next? lol
Isadora 😎
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It’s certainly important to him! Thanks Isadora 🙂
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Maybe he will have found the right fertilizer this year.
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Let’s hope so 🙂
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I hate it when they just “disappear”.😀
Maybe he has a winning shot now.
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Thank you 🙂
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O dear, you have put me off being judge, 🙂
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It’s a dangerous job! 😉
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Hmmmmm that ending! I wonder if that’s a secret additive to the fertiliser to get those flowers so lovely!
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There has to be that special ingredient!
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Now that’s a gardener who takes his work seriously. Great story. I love the twist.
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Thanks Margaret 🙂
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Ah! the twist! Never knew you had an evil bone!
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Glad to surprise you!
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I have this awful urge to go: mwuhahahaha, but maybe that’s just me today. 😉 Excellent story. Maybe once he gets done there will be like-minded judges around!
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Perhaps he should take over as judge for next year 😉
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Mysterious disappearances, eh? Perhaps the flowers have developed an appetite for … um … unappreciative judges? 😉
Well done, Iain! Sorry to be late to the reading party, but am very glad I did manage to read this after all! Loved this!
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Thanks so much for your kind comment 🙂 Much appreciated
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