Written for Fandango’s Story Starter.
Here’s my story, using Fan’s prompt line:
It had never entered Richard’s mind that his son
was not his own blood.

It had never entered Richard’s mind that his son was not his own blood. But then, Richard had a very limited imagination. Besides, he and his wife, Deborah, had never spent time apart …. that is, except for the night Richard stayed in the hospital after a routine appendectomy.
So, when young Timothy arrived in the world with his mother’s blue eyes, her musical talent, and her inexplicable dislike of mayonnaise, Richard simply smiled and said, “He’s got my nose.”
Timothy did not have Richard’s nose.
Timothy had, by all medical and photographic evidence, a perfectly normal nose.
Richard’s nose was a geological event.
But love, it turns out, is blissfully stupid. Richard coached Timothy’s football team, cried at his graduation, and remained, until his last breath, absolutely convinced about the nose.
NAR©2026
#FSS
This is “Papa Gene’s Blues” by the Monkees
Everything on The Elephant’s Trunk was created by me, unless otherwise indicated. NAR©2017-present.

This is such a great story. Richard is his father, 100% ❤️
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My kids are nothing like me, not even their noses … now you’ve got me wondering!
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Knowing you, my dear Keith, your wives likely had very large personalities and the genes to match! 😂
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Eh, biology! Parenthood is an active state of loving and care, and Timothy got all from Richard.
💙💜💙
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Well said, Liz. I couldn’t agree more.
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Parents commonly look for physical and behavioral similarities in their offspring to affirm biological connection, a behavior driven by both emotional bonding and evolutionary instincts. Fathers, in particular, often focus on facial resemblance as a subconscious gauge for paternity confidence.
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I think that’s a common and perfectly normal reaction, based primarily (if not solely) on feelings of pride at the birth of a child. Thanks, Jim.
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Have we heard anything from Deborah? 😬
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Maybe in her tell-all best seller ….. “Night of the Appendectomy” 😂
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Good thing those red hair genes are so dominant!
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Boy, are they ever!
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Better hope he never needs a transplant…
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😂
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Nice take Nancy.
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Thanks, Di. I’m glad you liked it.
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Brilliant take an thanks for the Monkee’s track- when I was little I loved them, they had a programme on the TV I think Pete Tork was my first crush sadly he has since passed 🩷
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Thank you so much, Ange. I was thrilled with this Monkee’s song; I wanted something that mentioned “dad” and had the same lighthearted tone as my story. This hit the mark. I loved the Monkee’s TV show, too. Mickey Dolenz was my favorite; sadly, he’s the only one left. ❤️ 🐒
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Aww, a very sweet story Nancy
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Grazie, cara.
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Love this 💜💜
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Thanks so much, Willow.
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A pleaseure 💜💜
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Great take, Nancy. Thanks for joining in.
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Thanks, Fan. It’s a pleasure.
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