IAIN KELLY

CAN’T SEE THE WOOD FOR THE TREES

‘There,’ Archie called, as he swept up the final leaf and dropped it in the bin.

‘Will you come in now?’ Agnes called, her voice rising over the howling gusts of wind.

‘It’s nothing but a strong breeze. Doesn’t it feel better to have the garden clean and pristine?’

‘Does it matter? The forecast says it’s a severe gale.’

‘A bit of wind is no reason to let standards slip!’

He heard the first ominous creak.

He turned and looked at the tall birch tree.

A louder creak, then a snap, then a thump as the tree landed across the lawn.

Agnes closed the door.

Copyright J Hardy Carroll

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

‘The Barra Boy’ is available now. You can find all the information for getting a copy HERE.

61 responses to “CAN’T SEE THE WOOD FOR THE TREES”

  1. neilmacdon Avatar

    Let’s hope the door is enough to protect them if trees are being torn up by the roots

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It was an old tree. Thanks Neil

      Like

  2. Mason Bushell Avatar

    Time to hunker down it seems, good one, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Mason

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Liz H Avatar

    Too late for Archie, but Agnes gets a fresh start, eh! 😏

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I’ve not killed him off yet, Agnes isn’t that lucky! 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Liz H Avatar

        😂😂

        Liked by 1 person

  4. rochellewisoff Avatar

    Dear Iain,

    So much for that pristine lawn. Does Archie shovel his walk during blizzards, too? 😉 Well written.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Of course he does! 😉

      Like

  5. Tannille Avatar

    I have the feeling it’s a never-ending job…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      He makes it that way for sure

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Reena Saxena Avatar

    She is right, but …

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Yeah, when you’re obsessed about something, you can’t just let it go.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. authorfleurl Avatar

    I hope that branch didn’t fall on him…
    Sweeping fallen leaves in a breeze…sounds like a bit of a losing battle. Good story!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 🙂

      Like

  8. Snow's Fissures and Fractures Avatar

    The last line was a killer.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  9. creatingahome Avatar

    I hope he finally listened.
    Unless his dead.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      No plans to kill him off yet, but also, he never listens! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. creatingahome Avatar
  10. magickmermaid Avatar

    I hope Agnes closed the door after Archie went inside! 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      🙂 No, left him to his own devices! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Liz Young Avatar

    I guess he was underneath the tree?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Trapped, but hopefully not mortally wounded!

      Like

  12. elmowrites Avatar

    I love how Agnes shuts the door on him – tells us so much about both of them! There’s a blizzard starting up here and I need to get the snow blower out later – maybe I’ll take her approach though and shut the door instead.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Good luck – sometimes it’s best just to hunker down and wait until the storm passes!

      Like

  13. Michael Avatar
    Michael

    I feel sorry for Archie, he I expect has a tidy mind

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Yes, a little obssessive perhaps.

      Like

  14. CGraith Avatar

    The big question that tinges this little discourse with some creepies…did Agnes shut the door glad to be rid of him or did she just give up getting the wind in her face?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      A little of both I suspect!

      Like

  15. Alicia Jamtaas Avatar

    Since we live in the woods, this happens to us just about every time there’s a strong wind. Makes for a BIG clean up in spring. Nicely done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Alicia 🙂

      Like

  16. Dawn M. Miller Avatar

    I know Agnes is biting her tongue so as not to say “I told you so”.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Exactly! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Bill Avatar

    Does Mother Nature laugh when people behave like this? 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I imagine so, in hysterics!

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Keith's Ramblings Avatar

    He’s going to need more than a bin and a brush to sort that out, but I’m sure he’ll find a way!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      He will not be defeated!

      Like

  19. plaridel Avatar

    she’s lucky to have a husband who doesn’t have to be told to clean up the yard. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Ha, very true!

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Na'ama Yehuda Avatar

    One thing’s for sure – if the tree didn’t get’im, there would be plenty of leaves to clear up once the gale’s done … Nice one!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      He’s got his work cut out!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Na'ama Yehuda Avatar

        Yep! Raking leaves on a windy day in the fall often is a good exercise in perceived futility … 😉

        Liked by 1 person

  21. Nobbinmaug Avatar

    That’ll spoil a pristine lawn. I’m sure there are more leaves to come, as well.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It’s a never ending task for him 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  22. Brenda's Thoughts Avatar

    Sometimes you just have to wait until it’s over, then clean up. I loved the interaction between the two. The last line is very telling and amusing!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Brenda

      Like

  23. Russell Gayer Avatar

    Love the title, Iain.
    I feel sorrow for people who are obsessed with neat & tidy. I suppose they’re hoping it’ll be the byline on their obituary.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Perhaps on their neat and tidy gravestone.

      Liked by 1 person

  24. floweroutoflife Avatar

    I’m glad he lives to fight another day – although he might not be, when he takes stock of the mess in his beloved garden!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      The shock of that may be what gets him after all!

      Like

  25. poetisatinta Avatar

    Great ending 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  26. msjadeli Avatar

    Gives a whole new meaning to diehard, which he may soon do if he doesn’t let up on that OCD.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Some things just can’t be left!

      Liked by 1 person

  27. athling2001 Avatar

    Woah! Did he get in or is he under the tree? Good one!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Under the tree, but alive, I think!

      Like

  28. Laurie Bell Avatar

    Oh, that’s gonna be a brutal wind I think. Did he survive I wonder? Trees can cause such damage so quickly. Great piece.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Laurie

      Like

  29. britcanwrites Avatar

    Haha. Agnes expected he’d be out there for several more hours with that tree. Good on her. Make a cuppa and watch some telly while he gets on with it. 😁

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      🙂 You know Agnes well !

      Liked by 1 person

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