Written for Melissa’s Fandango Flash Fiction
Challenge using the image for inspiration.
Here’s where the prompt took me.
Bernard the dog had been planning this for three weeks.
He’d watched Jack do it a thousand times: hop in, grip the wheel, make the engine roar, go places with smells in them. How hard could it be? Bernard had excellent reflexes. He could catch a bagel mid-air. He could herd four sheep and a confused goat simultaneously. Steering a small truck down a single road was clearly beneath his talents.
The opportunity arrived when Jack popped into Millie’s Sandwich Shop “for just one minute” …. a phrase that, in this town, meant a minimum of forty-five minutes and possibly a second breakfast.
Bernard slipped through the open window, settled into the driver’s seat, and placed both paws on the wheel with the gravity of a man …. or dog …. about to change history. He surveyed the road ahead. Pedestrians. A delivery bicycle. Jenny May Lindstrom’s prize-winning geraniums. So many obstacles, so much glory.
He leaned forward, peered over the dashboard, and waited for the truck to simply understand what he wanted.
Nothing happened.
He pawed the wheel left. Still nothing. He huffed at the steering column, the way he huffed at squirrels who refused to be intimidated.
The truck remained parked, smug and immobile, mocking him with its complete apathy.
After several minutes of increasingly dignified glaring, Bernard reached a profound conclusion: the truck was broken. Definitely not a problem with his technique.
He settled himself in the backseat once again to wait for Jack, licking his wounded pride.
Oh, the humanity.
NAR©2026
This is “Hound Dog” by Big Mama Thornton
Everything on The Elephant’s Trunk was created by me, unless otherwise indicated. Thank you for your consideration. NAR©2017-present.
The Elephant's Trunk 
Glorious, I’m laughing hard Nancy. It’s definitely a dog’s life……
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks much, Dylan. Hope this got a Woof Woof from Ezra, too! 🦴
LikeLiked by 1 person
she is laughing and jumping around
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh! this is brilliant!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Sis! I love hearing from all my dog people! 💜
LikeLike
What a great take! I liked this way better than any story I ever heard about a dog being able to drive! heheheh
LikeLiked by 1 person
Join me next time when Hortense the Elephant rides a unicycle through Paris! A guaranteed knee-slapper! 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Oh, the humanity!” is the iconic, anguished phrase shouted by radio reporter Herb Morrison on May 6, 1937, when the German airship Hindenburg caught fire and crashed in Lakehurst, New Jersey.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Right again, my friend! I remember the story well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a dog gone tragedy I was hping to see Bernard barking wildly while banging into things, lol. Quite the fun read Nancy..
LikeLiked by 1 person
A sad day for Bernard but he’s like an old Timex; he takes a licking and keeps on ticking! Thanks, Ernie. Woof woof! 🐶
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, Bernard–so close, little buddy! So close.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a dog’s life, Lois 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reminds me of my bloodhound Gunther
LikeLiked by 1 person
Then he must be a cool dog! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
LikeLike
A cute story. 🐶
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Darlene. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
A cute story my friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
With an image like that, it had to be!. Thank you, my dear friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re most welcome
LikeLiked by 1 person