The Unicorn Challenge – Page 3 – The Elephant's Trunk

Written for The Unicorn Challenge where we are encouraged
to get creative in 250 words or less using the photo prompt
as inspiration. This is my 2^ndstory of Harvey and Fiona.
For another look at the 1^stinstallment, click here.

Harvey and Fiona were as different as a gorilla and a swan but they had an undeniable chemistry and started falling in love. No one was more surprised than Fiona .… except her parents.

There was a major obstacle her parents couldn’t overlook – Harvey was Jewish. Fiona’s very Irish-Catholic father hated Harvey, calling him ‘Christ killer’ and ‘kike’. Her mother was crushed. “Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Can’t you see he’s no good for you? I don’t trust him, Fina girl!” she warned, crying into her apron. Fiona would not be dissuaded; with a heavy heart she closed the door of her childhood home behind her and never looked back.

Harvey and Fiona were married in city hall, the judge and his clerk their only guests and witnesses. After a weekend honeymoon in Niagara Falls, the couple settled into Harvey’s tiny apartment – a walk-up on the fifth floor with a depressing view of factories and government buildings.

Harvey worked the graveyard shift as a printer at the local newspaper, seven days a week from midnight till 8:00 AM. His fingernails were perpetually stained with black ink. The first morning he came home from work and saw the newly decorated apartment, he yelled furiously at Fiona for spending his money on unnecessary things. Uncaring, he left ink stains on the new bedspread when he sat down to remove his shoes.

Fiona cried silently in the kitchen. Harvey sidled up behind her, kissed a spot below her ear and she leaned into him.

NAR©2024
250 Words

The Unicorn Challenge-07/06/24

This is “Love With The Proper Stranger” by Jack Jones

Short Story

The Escort

June 1, 2024May 31, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Written for The Unicorn Challenge where we are
asked to get creative in 250 words or less, using the
photo prompt as inspiration. This is my 250-word story.

Fiona was late for Mass. Seeing an unfamiliar man leaning against the wall outside Sully’s Bar, she quickened her pace. As she passed she heard him chuckle and say “What’s yer hurry, Irish?” She walked even faster, opening the side door to St. Brigid’s.

An hour later Fiona exited the church and noticed the same man from the bar standing at the corner. Had he been waiting for her all this time? Wary, she stepped backwards, teetering on the curb and losing her shoe in the process.

Suddenly the man was by her side. She was taken aback as he reached around her waist and stopped her fall.

“Name’s Harvey Rubin and yer one fine lookin’ dish. Ya need somebody like me to drive ya home, Irish. It can be dangerous for a good Catholic girl like yerself walkin’ alone in this neck o’ the woods.”

“Keep your thoughts …. and hands …. to yourself, buster!” Fiona snapped. “Besides, how do you know I’m a good Catholic girl?”

“Well, I ain’t no Albert Einstein but I seen ya practically racin’ to St. Brigid’s like yer panties was on fire and I’m guessin‘ ya ain’t no altar boy – not with them gorgeous gams.” Harvey replied in an unhurried way.

Glancing down, he smiled at her missing shoe; his tough “Bogie” persona became surprisingly charming. Fiona found it difficult to resist this rough-hewn stranger and she shocked herself by allowing him to escort her home.

She knew her parents would be livid.

NAR©2024
250 Words

The Unicorn Challenge-31/05/24

This is “Bogie & Bacall: Key Largo” by Bertie Higgins

Short Story

Fallen Soldier

May 26, 2024May 24, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Written for The Unicorn Challenge where we are
encouraged to be creative in 250 words or less
using the photo prompt below. Originally written in 2022
as a 750-word story, this is my revamped submission.

I stood at the bedroom window staring at the devastation caused by the previous night’s storm. My wife Dianna is going to be crushed when she sees what happened during the night – Mother Nature at her fiercest. I heard Dianna stirring in bed.

“Mike, it’s so early. What’s wrong?” she asked sleepily.

“We had a pretty bad storm last night. It’s not good, hon. We lost some trees” I replied.

She threw off the covers and sat on the edge of the bed, feet skimming the floor searching for discarded slippers. “Not Red. Please don’t say we lost Red!”

Dianna gasped loudly at the sight before her, then the tears came. She cried for a long time. I held her and let her cry; this was not something carelessly brushed aside or easily forgotten.

Finally her sobs lessened and with a broken heart and a weakened voice she sighed, “Poor Red! How I loved that beautiful old tree. Look at him now, a fallen soldier.”

We sat on the bed side by side; I spoke tenderly. “There’s no shame in mourning the loss of a tree. It’s not silly. It is, after all, a living thing. Does it feel pain when a leaf is plucked or a branch broken? Does it thirstily lap the rain after a dry spell? Does it feel your heartbeat as you rest a weary back against its old, sturdy trunk? How can we presume such things are not possible? No, it’s not silly at all.“

NAR©2024
250 Words

The Unicorn Challenge-24/05/24

This is “Falling (Death Of A Tree)” by Over The Rhine

Short Story

The Proofreader

May 25, 2024May 25, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Written for The Unicorn Challenge where we are
encouraged to get creative in 250 words or less
using the photo below as inspiration. This is my story

Dear God in heaven! How the hell I’m supposed to get through this book is beyond me!

I’ve been at it now for hours and I’m bored stiff. I don’t know who this guy thinks he is but I’ll tell you what he’s not …. a good writer! I’ve read menus more interesting than this rot!

Jeez Louise! I’ve come across some real clunkers in my day but this one is totally b-o-r-i-n-g. Haul out the woodchipper!

The owner of the small publishing business behind me, Miss Willow Everwood, is my boss; I work there as a proofreader and I really like my job but reading this book is torture. Miss Everwood spotted me dozing off on the chair and demanded I sit on the hard pavement to keep from getting too comfortable and falling asleep. She even said she didn’t want me rooting around inside until I was done with my job.

Well, now my limbs are as stiff as an old hickory stick, my noggin feels like it’s full of sawdust and my butt’s as hard as a slab of redwood. I swear if I have to keep reading this, I’m going to nod off right here in the middle of the sidewalk and start sawing wood.

If I had a rope I’d hang myself from the nearest tree! But I’m not about to get all sappy.

Well, good luck to this Tolkien guy if he thinks he’s going to make it with these creepy Ent people!

NAR©2024
250 Words

The Unicorn Challenge-24/05/24

This is Rob Inglis with “Ents and Entwives”

Short Story

And Then He Knows – Revisited

May 18, 2024May 17, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Written for The Unicorn Challenge
(with a timely lead-in from yesterday’s
Friday Fictioneers). Here we are challenged
to be creative in 250 words or less
using the photo below. This is my story.

© Ayr/Gray
‘Domestic animals, even on leads, are banned from the beach from 6am – 9pm’

He walked on the beach with his dog just as he always did. He saw the sign but ignored it, happy to see someone had vandalized it. Damn rules!

He threw the ball but when the dog returned, he had a purse hanging from his mouth. He dropped the purse and ran back to where he found it.

Looking in the purse, the man saw a cell phone. Hers. Last call was to him. Chasing the dog, he saw a body sprawled on the rocks near the water.

And before he got any closer, he knew it was his wife.

A flood of questions hit him like a tsunami. What happened? Why didn’t he get her call? What was she doing here …. not just here on the beach .… here in Cannes?

She was supposed to be in Lyon finalizing the sale of her late mother’s apartment. Her mother died five years ago and for reasons only she could explain but never did, she refused to get rid of the place.

He quickened his pace to the body. The dog kept nudging her head and running around wildly on the deserted beach. The man looked at her phone again; there were numerous calls to someone named Roman. An unfamiliar name.

He heard a voice. “Monsieur! You are not supposed to be here with that dog! There are rules.” The local gendarmerie. Then louder, more urgently – “What have you done, monsieur? Do not move! Ici! Dépêchez-vous!”

And the whistles blew.

NAR©2024
250 Words

The Unicorn Challenge-17/05/24

This is “Who Let The Dogs Out” by Baha Men. Hey, hippie-ye-yo!

Short Story

The Continuing Adventures of George and Martha, Vol. 3: Chicken Scratch

May 11, 2024November 6, 2025 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Written for The Unicorn Challenge where we are asked to get
creative in 250 words or less using this photo as inspiration.
Here is my story. If you would like to read previous adventures
of George and Martha, you may click here and here.

Continue reading →

Short Story

View From The Bridge

May 4, 2024May 4, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Written in response to The Unicorn Challenge
where we are asked to be creative in 250 words or less
by using the photo you see below. This is my story.

NB. My story is another perspective prompted by C.E. Ayr’s intriguing response to this week’s Unicorn Challenge. Please check out C.E.’s story here and/or here. I hope you enjoy my version and his.

Contrary to popular opinion, sometimes these things really do just happen – at least that’s how it was for me.

My husband was out for the day … the monthly visit with his son from his first marriage. I never fault him this time alone; it’s good for him and it gives me the chance to spend a day in my favorite book store.

One day while on my way home, I paused to watch the swans; from the bridge I saw a man emerge from his boat. As if drawn by my presence, he glanced up at me and waved. I waved back. Then the most unexpected thing happened: he beckoned me. I went down to greet him and that was the beginning of our affair.

Now I live for my husband’s monthly visits with his son.

This month my husband’s son is backpacking with friends and there is no visit. He busies himself with tennis and darts at the pub. Desperate to meet my lover, I bailed on our tennis game, pretending to be sick, and my husband went off alone to find a partner.

The afternoon with my lover was heavenly; half-way home I turned around and returned to the boat.

How could I know my husband had paused on the bridge to watch the swans and saw me leave the boat?

How could my husband know that while he was plotting his jealous revenge, I had returned to the boat and was inside when he torched it?

NAR©2024
250 Words

The Unicorn Challenge-03/05/24

This is “Diary Of Hate” by Michael Nyman

Short Story

Lower Forty Soliloquy

April 27, 2024April 26, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Written for The Unicorn Challenge where we are asked to be creative
in 250 words or less, using this image as inspiration. This is my story

“Where you been, girl? You got anythin’ goin’ on in that head of yours besides them nonsense rhymes? Your Ma’s been cookin’ all day and she sure coulda used your help with them black-eyed peas but you was nowhere to be found. You best not-a been hangin’ ‘round that good-for-nuthin’ boy again, girl. If I told you once, I told you a thousand times … keep away from him! There’s somethin’ not right with that boy! He’ll bring nuthin’ but misery. You start messin’ around with him and you’re gonna live to regret it. Then try and find yourself a decent husband! No man I know wants used goods!
Now stop makin’ excuses, girl! I’m your Pa and I know when you’re lyin’ … just like you was lyin’ about not bein’ out by the river. You know how I know that? ‘Cause somebody done seen ya. I see by the look in your eyes that it’s true. Yeah, you was seen by that new preacher man. And that ain’t all, girl. He said you was with that troublemaker and you had your heads together like you was plottin’ somethin’ real private-like.
I swear, girl, you ain’t got a lick a sense between ya. Stop this dang foolishness ‘cause it’s gonna lead to no good! C’mon now, girl … dinner’s waitin‘.
Anna, your cookin’ is fit for a king!
What you goin’ on about, woman? Jesus! I seen that boy just yesterday. Now, why’d he go do a fool thing like that!”

NAR©2024
250 Words

The Unicorn Challenge-26/04/24

This is “Ode To Billie Joe” by Bobbie Gentry

NB: Bobbie Gentry remarked that the message in Ode To Billie Joe revolved around the “nonchalant way” the family discussed Billie Joe’s suicide. She also said she included the verse about something being thrown off the bridge because it established a relationship between Billie Joe and the daughter, providing “a possible motivation for his suicide after meeting with her“. Gentry told The New York Times in 1969: “I had my own idea what was thrown off the bridge while I was writing it, but it’s not that important. Actually it was something symbolic. But I’ve never told anyone what it was.” The last time Bobbie Gentry appeared in public was at the Academy of Country Music Awards on April 30, 1982, almost 42 years ago to the day. Since that time, she has not recorded, performed or been interviewed. A 2016 news report stated that Gentry lives a secluded lifestyle in Los Angeles; she has refused to speak to reporters about Ode To Billie Joe or to give interviews.

Short Story

Angel Eyes

April 20, 2024April 20, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Written for The Unicorn Challenge
where we are asked to be creative in 250 words or less,
using this photo as our inspiration. Here is my story.

It was Friday night and my paycheck was burning a hole in my pocket. As it turns out, my on again/off again boyfriend, Jagger, was off again so I was free as the proverbial bird. Just as well; I was getting tired of the slouch anyway. But it was New Year’s Eve 1946 and I didn’t want to be alone.

Anxious to hit the tables and ring in the new year, I got myself all dolled up in an outfit that was quite possibly illegal in 33 states – a lowcut slinky little black number with a high side slit, silk stockings with lacy garters and red satin stilettos. Maybe I’d run into a high roller ready, willing and monetarily able to treat me to a bourbon, a thick juicy steak and a slice of pie a la mode.

I grabbed a taxi to the casino, the driver giving me the once-over in the rearview. I wasn’t interested in any two-bit palooka so I played it cool. Averting my eyes, I glanced out the window, snuggled deeper into my fur coat and lit a Chesterfield. The smoke encircled my head and my bright red lipstick left a perfect kiss around the filter.

When we arrived, I tossed a fiver at the cabbie and stepped out onto the sidewalk. The staccato of my heels alerted the man in black .… Special Agent Sam Bishop.

“Evening, Candace. You’re looking angelic, if you don’t mind my saying. I don’t suppose you’ve heard from Jagger.”

NAR©2024
250 Words

The Unicorn Challenge-19/04/24

This is Kenny Burrell with “Angel Eyes”

Short Story

The Cruelest Joke

April 13, 2024April 12, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Written for The Unicorn Challenge, where we are asked
to write something creative in 250 words or less
by using the photo below for inspiration.
This is my story.

The moment we stepped out of our car, the temperature felt like it dropped twenty degrees and a cold wind whipped my black-stockinged legs. We cringed at the frigid slap in the face and huddled deeper into our jackets as we climbed the steps to the church.

We found the seats reserved for us …. second pew directly off the center aisle. I clutched my husband’s hand and felt his body quiver as he raggedly exhaled, desperately trying not to cry. The tears would come, but on his terms.

The pews on both sides of the church were filled with people celebrating a life and mourning a loss. Everything leading to this moment had been a maelstrom of emotions; there are very few things that shake us to our core like a sudden death.

A man appeared at our pew; I recognized him as the manager of the funeral home. He spoke softly to my husband and together they started to walk to the back of the church. I looked up at my husband’s face and he gave me a sad smile.

There was a heavy silence in the church, mourners sitting side-by-side lost in a fog of grief. Had someone played us the cruelest joke?

As one, the pallbearers heaved the casket onto their shoulders and the organ began to play. That’s when I saw my husband walking behind his brother’s coffin, our widowed sister-in-law on his arm, and there were tears.

Now we will try to move forward.

NAR©2024
250 Words

The Unicorn Challenge-12/04/24

This is Al Green with “How Can You Mend A Broken Heart”

Short Story

Dinner Out

March 30, 2024March 29, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

This is The Unicorn Challenge
where we are asked to be creative
in 250 words or less, with this photo
as our inspiration. Here is my story.

The smell of old cooking oil reheated too many times stuck in his throat and clung to every inch of the Chinese food takeout joint. He hated being here, his uncomfortable demeanor only making him feel ridiculously out of place. And why were there only two tables in the whole shop when there was clearly room for more. He felt naked, center stage, all eyes on him yet no one paid him any attention.

How the hell did he let himself get roped into this? His granddaughter, a 15 year old package of rebellion and maladjustment, talked him into a dinner out. He didn’t like eating anywhere but at home but he realized in the fourteen years since she was in his care, he’d never taken his granddaughter out to eat, not even for an ice cream.

He wondered if he resented her. In truth it was his daughter, the girl’s mother, he resented for running off like she did and leaving her year old tot with him. What kind of mother does that? One just a kid herself, stuck with an unwanted baby and a desperate need to be a teenager. Well, she took off one night and never came back.

Now, here he sat, waiting for this willful girl who was too much like her mother for her own good to return from the toilet. She’d been in there far too long and he sat staring at his past knowing she’d run off, leaving him alone again.

NAR
250 Words

The Unicorn Challenge-29/03/24

This is Del Shannon with “Runaway”

Short Story

Matinee Idol

March 30, 2024May 12, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

This is The Unicorn Challenge
where we are asked to be creative
in 250 words or less using this photo
as inspiration. Here is my story.

There was never a time when my father didn’t sport a mustache. A thin, elegant line when he was a young man, a bit more pronounced as he grew older but always neat, always refined.

Dressed in his army uniform, he was every bit the matinee idol and it was obvious why Mom fell for him.

When we visited him in Albany Medical Center the morning of his surgery for multiple aneurisms – both abdominal and aortic – his grey hair was neatly combed, mustache trimmed. He was 82 years old and the doctors gave him a bleak 6% chance of surviving the operation. Yet, survive he did.

My sister’s daughter – my father’s eldest grandchild – gave serious thought to postponing her wedding until my father was stronger. He insisted she “do nothing of the kind”. He told us all, in no uncertain terms, that he would never miss his first grandchild’s wedding …. and he didn’t. Dressed to the nines in his tux and bow tie, perfectly groomed silver mustache, we all held our breath as they walked hand in hand onto the dance floor for what would be their last spin together.

When my dad died, we provided the undertaker with a photo for reference. The inexperienced mortician did a lovely job tending Dad but, looking back and forth from the photo to my father at peace his coffin, the undertaker knew something was amiss.

It was the first time any of us had ever seen Dad without his dashing mustache.

NAR©2024
250 Words

The Unicorn Challenge-29/03/24

This is “Celluloid Heroes” by the Kinks

Short Story

Tall Ships

March 23, 2024March 22, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

This is The Unicorn Challenge.
Our objective: to be creative in
250 words or less, prompted by
the photo below. This is my story.

Battery Park. The glittering lights of tall ships parading up the Hudson River. New York at its brightest. The Big Apple – excitement and energy down to its core.

So how the hell did I end up in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, hopelessly in love with my Amish husband Abel, married for four years with three kids and twins on the way?

Good old revenge. I wouldn’t play ball with my boss so instead of being assigned to photograph the tall ships in New York Harbor, I was banished for a month to cover the “Plain People’s” Summer County Fair.

What I thought was going to be a nightmare was a delicious surprise. When the handsome, lusty Abel Jansen and I locked eyes, it was “Goed gevoel” – a “good feeling” from head to toe and all parts in between.

Being accepted into the Amish community, let alone marrying, is difficult but we had a few things going for us. I was a city girl, not afraid of getting my hands dirty. We were mature. Most Amish were married before age 20; Abel and I were both 26.

But the clincher was the serendipity attached to my name …. Menno Jakob.

The most revered men among the Amish were Menno Simons and Jakob Ammann. The elders were convinced I was descended from them when I was actually an Italian Jew from Canarsie! Who was I to argue?

Abel was my tall ship and I was his splash of Manhattan sparkle. Nothing else mattered.

NAR©2024
250 Words

The Unicorn Challenge-22/03/24

This is “Sailing” by Christopher Cross

Short Story

Muffins And Croissants

March 16, 2024March 16, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Our gracious host Jenne at The Unicorn Challenge
has offered up this photo prompt hoping to inspire us
to creatively write something in 250 words or less.
This is my 250-word response to the photo prompt.

The year was 1987. Bill and I were celebrating our 15^th wedding anniversary by going on a cruise to the Bahamas with our sons, aged 10 and 8.

On the third day we made plans to disembark at our next port of call …. St. Thomas …. and asked one of the stewards to recommend a nice beach. He gave us a name, saying it was not a touristy place and if we were lucky, we’d see some iguanas. Having had a pet iguana before, the boys were excited.

We ate breakfast in an outdoor cafe with thatched umbrellas before heading to the beach, bringing with us some leftover croissants and muffins too delicious to leave behind. The steward was right; the beach was deserted. It was pristine with the clearest, bluest water we’d ever seen. After a couple of hours, there was still no sign of iguanas anywhere and our boys were sorely disappointed. We searched a large rock outcropping, knowing the little lizards like hiding in crevices, but none were there.

Rounding the rocks to check out what was on the other side, we stopped dead in our tracks. It was like a land before time with iguanas the size of small dinosaurs sunning themselves on the beach. They were magnificent and, aside from their enormous whip-like tails, appeared harmless.

Cautious yet unafraid, we slowly approached as the herbivores watched from heavy-lidded eyes. To our sons’ utter delight and amazement, iguanas enjoy being fed leftover muffins and croissants!

NAR©2024
250 Words

The Unicorn Challenge-15/03/24

This is “Island Boy” by Kenny Chesney

Short Story

Champagne On Ice

March 9, 2024March 8, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Jenne, our delightful host at The Unicorn Challenge,
has once again asked us to write something creative
in no more than 250 words based on how
the photo below inspires us.
This is my response.

The pathway to my future seemed incredibly long and I could easily imagine myself escaping down a side aisle. What kind of thought was that for a bride on her wedding day?

“Well, we got lucky, sweetheart; the rain held off. Emme, are you ready? The musicians are waiting for my signal.”

I turned to face my father. “Daddy” was all I managed to eke out before the tears started. I hadn’t called my father Daddy in years.

Dad motioned for the music to keep playing and magically produced a handkerchief. “What’s going on, kiddo?”

“This doesn’t feel right, Dad. I’m about to marry Gregory because of a promise I made to Mom.”

“Emme, if you want to back out, I’ll stand by whatever decision you make. But it’s best for everyone if you do it now, not after you’re married.”

“But you spent so much money to make this day perfect.”

Dad put his hands on my shoulders. “Damn the money and damn the promises. All I want is for you to be happy. If you think this is a mistake, say the word. My car is parked right outside.”

“What about Gregory?” I asked biting my bottom lip.

“I’ll talk to him privately, Emme. Don’t worry about that.”

I looked at my father and quickly nodded. He reached into his pocket and handed me the keys to his car.

“Go on now. I have some explaining to do.” He kissed my cheek and took off down the path.

NAR©2024
250 Words

The Unicorn Challenge-08/03/24

This is “Hotel California” by the Eagles

Short Story

Club Kashmir

March 2, 2024March 1, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Lovely Jenne from The Unicorn Challenge
is teasing us once again with this photo.
We are to get creative in 250 words or less.
In exactly 250 words, this is my response.

“Coroner? What do we need the coroner for?” asked Police Sergeant Jeffries. “It’s obvious this poor slob jumped off the roof. Just look at him!”

“Not so fast, Jeffries” snapped Police Captain Russo. “Take a close look at his hand.”

Knowing his boss was expecting him to man up, Jeffries crouched down near the splattered corpse. God, he hated jumpers.

“You know what I think, Cap? This guy was some sort of perv into the kinky stuff. That bottle in his hand is from Club Kashmir, the notorious sex den.” Jeffries looked up at his superior hoping to have made a good impression.

“Jeffries, sometimes I wonder how you ever made it onto the force” sneered Russo. “If you hope to be Lieutenant someday, you better prove you have what it takes. Pervert, my ass!”

Humiliated, Jeffries was beginning to think he wasn’t cut out for this line of work – always tripping over himself to impress the captain.

“ Jeffries! Make yourself useful. Put that bottle in an evidence bag. And for Christ’s sake, put on a pair of gloves first!” Russo shouted.

Jeffries felt like an idiot but did as he was told.

Captain Russo ordered everyone back to the station. “Not you, Jeffries. You’re done for tonight. Go home. Report back tomorrow.”

Jeffries nodded curtly but smiled to himself as he fingered the Club Kashmir passkey in his pocket which he pilfered off the dead guy. At least some hot chickie will show him a little appreciation tonight.

NAR©2024
250 Words

The Unicorn Challenge-01/03/24

This is Led Zeppelin with “Kashmir”

Short Story

Far Away Land

February 24, 2024February 23, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Jenne, our genial host at The Unicorn Challenge,
has offered up the photo below as our inspiration
to write a story of no more than 250 words.
This is my 250-word response to that challenge.

There was once a land so very far away from every other land that it was almost completely forgotten by all the inhabitants of the world.

And on that land there were trees and bushes and plants of every type imaginable. Each tree, plant and bush bore the most incredible edibles … luscious fruits of every variety known and unknown to man. There were at least 10,000 kinds of grapes, 8,000 sorts of apples, 3,000 types of pears, 2,000 varieties of peaches, 1,000 kinds of bananas, 400 types of berries, 400 varieties of oranges, etc. There were many sorts of vegetables that grew underground as well as on trees. There were streams, lakes and rivers with crystal clear water abundant with fish.

And on that very far away land lived a cyclops … giant, of course, as all cyclopes are. He was left there years ago by his parents who knew he would never survive life in the city, a life of ridicule and torment and loneliness. They also knew they would never be able to show him any kind of love or affection; indeed, his mother was repulsed by the feel of his rough skin, and unable to look into his one large, blood red eye.

But the cyclops was not forgotten. Every birthday his parents would travel thousands of miles to bring him candy. He would greedily eat the candy and they would leave. Until the last visit when he ate the candy and for dessert, his parents.

NAR©2024
250 Words

The Unicorn Challenge-23/02/24

This is Cream with “Tales of Brave Ulysses”

Short Story

Man Or Beast

February 17, 2024February 17, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

It’s time once again for The Unicorn Challenge
where we are asked to respond to the photo prompt
by writing something brilliant in 250 words or less.
In exactly 250 words, this is my response.

The first half of my morning commute was always quite pleasant. I’d buy a muffin and a freshly brewed cup of coffee at Britain and McCain’s, then hop on the Metro North New Haven line. The 7:18 train was brightly lit, clean, and the seats were suitably arranged, making for a comfortable ride. I’d always see the same faces, fellow suburbanites with their briefcases and newspaper tucked under an arm. A nod or a wave was all that was necessary; it was all quite civilized. Arriving at Grand Central Terminal, I’d hustle to catch the subway; once inside, all masks of civility were discarded. It became a jungle, survival of the fittest.
Finding a seat on the subway was a continuous battle. Any shred of human decency was stripped away as people trampled each other in the hope of securing a place to sit or, at the very least, a spot against a wall on which to lean. If you were unable to find neither seat nor wall, you’d have no choice but to position yourself in the aisles where you could hang onto the hand straps suspended from the ceiling or stand shoulder-to-shoulder like disgruntled sheep crammed in a stall with no place to go. If anyone should stumble and fall, God help them because no one else would! Livestock on their way to the slaughterhouse. No wonder so many people were frustrated and disillusioned, dragging themselves to jobs they hated in conditions not fit for man or beast.

NAR©2024
250 Words

The Unicorn Challenge-16/02/24

This is the Beatles with “One After 909”

This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Short Story

Benvenuto!

February 10, 2024February 10, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

It’s time for The Unicorn Challenge!
Jenne has provided the photo below
and asks that we respond with a story
not to exceed 250 words.
Here is my 250-word response.

Russell was tired of my excuses, my insecurities, my hang-ups and what he called “That Sicilian thing that’s 2000 years old”, which would have had more gravitas if I didn’t know it came straight from “Godfather 2″. He was breaking up with me and I was laughing in his face.

He was right, of course. I was a lousy girlfriend and I certainly wouldn’t make him a good wife. I didn’t like sex with him; some of the things he tried to do went on forever and brought me no satisfaction. I was disgusted by what he wanted me to do.

Russell stormed out. Good riddance. That’s when I decided to follow my dream and move to Sicily. Travel arrangements went smoothly and, having spoken previously with the people where I’d be staying, I knew getting accommodations would not be a problem.

My plans came together quickly. I packed a carry-on; more than that I wouldn’t need. In the morning I called for a taxi. Four hours later I was flying across the Atlantic on my way to the town of Erice. The place where I was staying was ancient, located on the top of Mount Erice, far from the useless worries of life. No cares, no distractions.

The bus dropped me off at Sorelle Povere*. My knock on the door was answered by a smiling older woman.

“May I help you?” she asked.

I told her my name.

“Ah, our newest novitiate!” she declared. “I’m Sister Rosella. Benvenuto! Welcome!”

NAR©2024
250 Words
*Sorelle Povere translates into Poor Sisters. The entire name is Sorelle Povere di Santa Chiara Monastero Sacro Cuore which means Poor Sisters of Saint Clara Sacred Heart Monastery, an order of nuns in the town of Erice.

The Unicorn Challenge-09/02/24

This is “Only The Good Die Young” by Billy Joel

Short Story

See You In Hell

January 27, 2024January 27, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Jenne at The Unicorn Challenge
has provided the photo below.
We are to write a story
of 250 words or less;
this is my story.

“Hold it right there, Everett! I’ll not be fooled again by the likes of you! My own twin brother! Who ever thought it would come to this? You always hated me, didn’t you, Everett? Even as a child you were a malicious, jealous little bastard, like the day you started the fire in the gatehouse. You knew I’d be nearby working the horses and the first to see the smoke. And what happened? I got blamed for the fire! Everything I ever had, you wanted. You stole my darling Clarissa just weeks before we were to be married, then you forced yourself on her, all the while pretending you were me. She could never forgive me. She left town, a bitter, broken woman. My reputation was ruined and the only woman I ever loved was gone because of you. Now it’s down to our inheritance. You just couldn’t be satisfied with half, could you? You had to have it all. You think I don’t know it was you who took a shot at me the day we were out hunting with Father and Uncle Wyatt? Good thing for me you missed your mark that day. Well, I’ll not miss mine, you rotten, scheming son of a bitch. That’s right, this is the end, brother. I’m going to enjoy watching you beg for mercy. Good riddance, Everett. See you in hell.”

“And …. Cut! Great job as always, Bobby. That’s a wrap. This one’s got “Academy Award” written all over it!”

NAR©2024
250 Words

Unicorn Challenge-25/01/24

This is music from “The Good, The Bad And The Ugly” by the Danish Symphony Orchestra

Short Story

Those Were The Days

January 20, 2024January 20, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Time once again for
The Unicorn Challenge.
Jenne has provided the photo;
this is my 250-word response.

“Mother! What do you think you’re doing?”

“What does it look like I’m doing, Morris? I’m going to go sing with that band.”

“You can’t do that. You’re almost 73 years old!” her son replied. He was becoming impatient.

“What the hell does my age have to do with anything? Tony Bennett, Tina Turner, David Crosby were all in their 80s and still going strong.”

“Mother, you’re not exactly in the same league as Tina Turner!”

“Thank you for pointing that out to me and the family, Morris. You’ve turned into a self-righteous little prig …. certainly not how I raised you.”

“Well, one of us had to grow up, Mother. You’re not going to sing with that band. I won’t allow it. This isn’t Woodstock!”

“Grammy? What’s Dad talking about? You were at Woodstock?” Dina asked her grandmother in disbelief.

“As a matter of fact, I was! You know, I wasn’t always your grandmother! I lived a whole other life before your father was born.”

“Grammy, why am I just hearing about this now? I’m 22 years old and never knew this! How is that possible? Dad, how come you never said anything?”

“You’re father’s embarrassed by me, Dina. I was always a very free spirit; I met a lot of incredible people before and after Woodstock.”

“Grammy, were you a groupie?” Dina asked conspiratorially.

“Oh, Dina! Lets just say I had great fun.”

“Mother, this conversation ends now!”

“Oh, shut up, Morrison!”

“Morrison?” Dina whispered knowingly, eyes wide.

NAR©2024
250 Words

The Unicorn Challenge-19/01/24

This is Mary Hopkin, “Those Were The Days”

The Doors with “Alabama Song” (Whisky Bar)

Short Story

Forever Dream

January 13, 2024January 13, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

It’s time once again for The Unicorn Challenge;
this is my 250 word response to the photo below.

“Tell me again, Tom.”

“It was a glorious day, greener than Killarney in spring. We were out for a stroll, the leaves sparkling with dew. You looked so beautiful, Maggie, you made my heart skip a beat. Bluer eyes than I’d ever seen and hair the aroma of fresh peaches. We stopped and I picked a wildflower. I don’t know how you did it but you twisted the stem and made a ring. That was the day we became ‘engaged’. You said we needed to walk under the branch that stretched out over the path to make it official. I held your hand and we walked to the middle of the little bridge. We stood there and I knew from that moment on we would always be together. That’s where I kissed you for the first time. We were very daring, you being an older woman and all. I was 11 and you were 13 but we knew then we were made for each other.”

“It’s exactly as I remember. Tell me more, Tom. Put your arm around me. I’m so very cold.”

“Do you recollect the day we walked into the woods and discovered that cabin? I called it a ‘dilapidated shack’; you said it was “our dream’. We fixed that place up good, filling it with dreams. We raised our family there and welcomed our grandkids. Now our grands are getting married. Three generations of dreams, Maggie. Maggie? Oh, my sweetest love. Sleep now and dream forever.”

The Unicorn Challenge-12/01/24

This is “A Kiss To Build A Dream On” by Louis Armstrong

Short Story

Smoke Break

January 6, 2024January 12, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

It’s time once again for
The Unicorn Challenge.
Here is my 250-word
response to the photo below.
Oh the irony! The hypocrisy!

There I was, sitting in my car taking a smoke break. Damn shame! We can’t smoke anywhere these days and that’s a perfect example of discrimination.

Anyway, I’m looking out the car window, and that’s when I spotted it …. a rubber glove on the ground. Disgusting!

Since I was parked just across from a nursing home, I figured that glove belonged to one of the employees there and that made me even angrier than I was. Imagine, a health facility employee tossing a glove away like that! I bet they throw their masks on the ground, too. Pigs!

What’s wrong with people? You’d think after 3+ years of Covid, they’d finally get it right and stop ditching their used gloves or masks on public property. I could never understand how someone, especially a health-care worker, could show such disrespect for other people. If I had seen whoever tossed that glove so indiscriminately, I would have said something.

Well, there’s only one thing to do …. I donned a glove, picked up the offensive litter and deposited it in the trash. Puffing on my smoke, I walked back to my car feeling very proud of myself.

Just then a pigeon landed on the trash can, picked out the glove and flew off only to drop the glove on the road. Well, I’ll be damned! It wasn’t a deliberate act of human negligence after all! I chuckled, my faith in mankind restored.

Flicking my cigarette butt out the window, I drove off.

The Unicorn Challeng-05/01/24

This is “Hypocrites” by Bob Marley

Short Story

TO EACH HIS OWN

December 30, 2023December 30, 2023 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

It’s time once again for
The Unicorn Challenge.
This is my response to
the photo below.

As far back as Rob could remember, he’d had a love affair with water. All his life, whatever the circumstances, he was drawn to water.

Whether it was to seek comfort or solace, an escape from a busy day, a place to be one with nature watching the sun rise or set – being by the water’s edge was a mainstay in Rob’s life.

Today, as he sat on the docks with his faithful sheepdog Petra, Rob was seeking an answer.

He lived in a nice house and a had a great job, a group of good friends and lots of social activities. Rob and Petra were quite content. The only thing missing was a life companion. He had his share of relationships but two years ago someone special had entered his life. Rob now knew he was ready to make a commitment. She was the girl of his dreams – beautiful physically and in spirit, intelligent, outgoing and vivacious. She had a loyal and trusting heart and a lovely disposition. Rob had never felt such a connection before and he knew this was true love.

He spoke quietly to Petra:

“You know, girl. I feel like the time is right to finally settle down with my true love. It took me a while to realize how I felt but now I know there can’t be anyone more perfect for me. I’m truly happy and ready to pop the question.

What do you say, Petra, my sweet girl? Will you marry me?“

The Unicorn Challenge-29/12/23

This is The Ink Spots with “To Each His Own”

This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Short Story

MONSTROID

December 23, 2023December 22, 2023 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

It’s time once again for
The Unicorn Challenge.
Our mission: to write
a story in 250 words or less
in response to the photo prompt.
This is my story and I’m sticking to it.
🦖 🎄 🦕

When our son was still in elementary school, he demonstrated a great ability and clever imagination for art. He had a penchant for cartoon characters of his own creation which he drew on his book covers and all over his school notebooks.

My husband and I encouraged his artwork and we kept him well-stocked in supplies, including a drafting table, paints and copious amounts of drawing pads. His main character was a T-rex called “Monstroid” …. a Jurassic lawman who was not above getting down and dirty.

When our son was about twelve years old, he asked permission to paint Monstroid on his bedroom wall. I had no problem with that; I’d rather he paint his own wall than someone else’s. Thirty-something years ago, graffiti was considered vandalism, not the street art it has become today.

The story of Monstroid grew in my son’s head, along with other dinosaurs, friend and foe alike. It got to the point where every wall in his room was covered with his creations; dinosaurs grazed on one wall while epic prehistoric battle scenes appeared on another wall. I didn’t mind; the boy was hurting no one and I would never suppress his natural ability for art …. just as I would never squash our other son’s talent for music.

Our son is now a television cameraman – another form of art. However, he never lost his love of painting and Monstroid is alive and well on the bedroom walls of each of his three kids.

The Unicorn Challenge-22/12/23

This is Bob Brown with “Santa, Bring Me A Dinosaur”

Short Story

STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND

December 15, 2023December 15, 2023 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

It’s time once again for
The Unicorn Challenge.
This is my response
to the photo prompt below.

And so the time came to pass that the young woman was too heavy with child to continue the journey. They had traveled many miles with still more land to cross and she knew her time had arrived to deliver her babe.

She told her husband she could endure no more of this pilgrimage and, reluctantly he agreed; while it was important for them to return to their hometown, the safety and comfort of his wife and their unborn baby were of the utmost concern. But they were strangers in a strange land and knew no one. The husband stopped at the first house they saw.

The couple waited patiently, the young woman suffering in silence as her baby wrestled inside her, anxious to make an appearance. Finally, the owner of the house answered the door and, holding up a lantern for a better view, quickly assessed the situation. He knew this young couple needed his help.

Quietly the homeowner informed the husband that he had no room in his house for them; the disappointment on the face of the husband was obvious, even in the darkness of the late hour. The young woman tried to maintain some propriety but could no longer stifle her pains of labor and let out a deep, low moan. Both men knew the time for her to be delivered was imminent.

The homeowner hesitated only a second, then led them to a lowly cellar. Apologizing, he offered them this place and they gratefully accepted…..

The Unicorn Challenge-15/12/23

This is “Once In Royal David’s City” (Full HD Libera Boys Choir)

Short Story

LE CYGNE

December 9, 2023December 9, 2023 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

It’s time once again for
The Unicorn Challenge;
this is my contribution.
🦢

There’s nothing quite as poignant as the sight of a dying swan, when her beauty wanes like that of faded silken cloth.

A life of such magnificence she leads, dressed in only the most majestic and royal of attire, bestowed so easily by nature while other breeds look so ordinary in comparison.

Confident in her beauty, she floats like a downy queen; she renders no judgement on the world nor assumes a superior attitude. Hers is a graceful, peaceful existence.

She rises above the tumult and silently, in a sweetly romantic character, will she take to heart a mate for all her life. No other and never another will she need, for they are soulmates of the seas.

With wings and elegant necks entwined, they swim the waters together, no fear, no discord. In unison they fly with wings of angels, ever one with the other.

The finches and skylarks in admiration glance down from the trees and sing to the beauty of the swans.

Their love comes to fruition; their cygnets hatch like tiny balls of feathered fluff.

But now the song of the swan is almost over, come full cycle but far too soon for her mate has fallen victim to the fisherman’s nets and weights and has been dragged unceremoniously to the depths of the lake.

Now she is alone with only a broken heart until the time comes for her to rest and in silence she will close her eyes for one long and final sleep.

The Unicorn Challenge-08/12/23

This is “The Swan/Le Cygne” by Camille Saint-Saens

Short Story

LONGYEARBYEN

December 2, 2023December 2, 2023 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

It’s time once again for The Unicorn Challenge,
and oh, what a challenge it was this time!
Here is my response to the photo prompt below.

Little Arvid was just a wee babe when his parents were tragically killed in a sledding accident. The only family he had was his Uncle Gunnar and Aunt Sigrid, who happily took him in to live with them. They were childless and lovingly raised their nephew.

Gunnar and Sigrid were little people, married for so long, neither one could recollect; their devotion was so rare, it kept them young. In fact they hadn’t aged at all since the day they married!

They lived in a tiny house in the world’s northernmost town of Longyearbyen, just 650 miles from the North Pole.

As Arvid grew, it became obvious that he, too, would be a little person; this was no problem because almost everyone in the town of Longyearbyen was a little person.

When Arvid reached the age of 8, Gunnar and Sigrid knew it was time for “the talk”. With great care they led Arvid into a small privy which was so secluded, Arvid had never seen it before. There was an imposing teal blue safe inside …. how very curious! Arvid was even more surprised when Uncle Gunnar opened the safe’s door to find it led directly outdoors!

The little family hopped on a long sled parked outside and sped down the snowy mountains until they reached the most magical place of all …. The North Pole! Soon, alongside his aunt and uncle, Arvid learned the mystical wonders of life …. helping Santa make toys for good girls and boys.

The Unicorn Challenge-01/12/23

Ho! Ho! Ho! This is “Jingle Bell Rock (Daryl’s Version)” by Hall & Oates, pre-restraining order, don’t you know. Yeah, it is! 🎅🏼

Flash

ON LEADEN FEET

November 25, 2023November 25, 2023 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

A provocative & evocative image from
Jenne at The Unicorn Challenge;
our mission, if we choose to accept it,
is to write our reaction to this prompt.
Here is mine.

Carry myself with pride, as my mama taught me. My name is Elizabeth but everyone calls me Betsy. I am sixteen, pretty and full of life. This is day one of my first paying job – working in the cotton mills. I’m lucky and so grateful.

Mama is home caring for my seven little siblings. Daddy left one day and never came back.

In my lunch sack is bread, an orange and a chunk of cheese; a plain lunch but it keeps me going. During my break I’ll sit by the banks of the river and splash my scorched face. Life is good.

Carry myself with stooped shoulders. I’ve been in the mill for eight months. It’s hotter inside than the blazing Georgia sun. Humid, too, to keep the thread from breaking. Boiled potatoes and river water for lunch. I’m sixteen. Maybe I’ll meet a husband here.

Carry myself on leaden feet. I work six days a week, twelve hours a day. I earn $1.00 each week. The air is thick with cotton dust. Nobody talks anymore; we keep our mouths covered but that doesn’t stop the coughing. I have no time or energy for anything else. I’m sixteen and feel like I’m sixty.

Carry myself with doom. I’m coughing up blood and see nothing in my future except dying in the mill. I think I’ll just walk into the river and never come out.

Carry my dead body to the graveyard. I was only sixteen and my name was Betsy.

The Unicorn Challenge-24/11/23

“Isn’t It A Pity (George Harrison)

Short Story

SHELTER IN A STORM

November 18, 2023November 18, 2023 Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Today in The Unicorn Challenge we are asked
to share how this photo inspired us.
This is my response.

Local businesses had taken a great hit during the recession and now the once lively and robust shopping district was nothing more than a ghost town. The barber shop, which was there for years, struggled to stay afloat as did the bakery across the street and the café around the corner.

Among the hardest hit was the exclusive coterie located in the elegant apartments above O’Chester’s Barber Shop – The Arlington, known as one of man’s last bastions, a gentlemen’s club, a cigar lounge, a house of prostitution.

Included in the clientele were politicians, celebrities, business executives and police officials; there was never a fear for the girls who worked at The Arlington or for the proprietress, Madam Josie Arlington.

All the men who frequented O’Chester’s were also clients of Madam Josie. There was a door in the back of the barber shop which opened onto a staircase leading to the rooms upstairs. The Arlington was an expensive ‘$5.00 house’ known for its opulence and beautiful foreign girls who offered exciting and unique talents.

Madam Josie was held in the highest regard for her discretion. Her customers felt safe knowing their reputations would never be tarnished. Josie had the presence of mind to install a private rear door which provided an inconspicuous exit.

Josie was a wise businesswoman; she knew one day she might be forced to call on her clients for help. Keeping an immaculate account of each man’s name and sexual proclivities was her shelter in a storm.

The Unicorn Challenge-17/11/23

This is “Gimme Shelter” by the Stones.

Tag: The Unicorn Challenge

The Apartment: The Continuing Story of Harvey and Fiona

The Escort

Fallen Soldier

The Proofreader

And Then He Knows – Revisited

The Continuing Adventures of George and Martha, Vol. 3: Chicken Scratch

View From The Bridge

Lower Forty Soliloquy

Angel Eyes

The Cruelest Joke

Dinner Out

Matinee Idol

Tall Ships

Muffins And Croissants

Champagne On Ice

Club Kashmir

Far Away Land

Man Or Beast

Benvenuto!

See You In Hell

Those Were The Days

Forever Dream

Smoke Break

TO EACH HIS OWN

MONSTROID

STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND

LE CYGNE

LONGYEARBYEN

ON LEADEN FEET

SHELTER IN A STORM

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