Allergic to “E” Challenge

Published on by milliethom

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Here I was, enjoying a nice, relaxing holiday in Wales, when I suddenly found a pingback on my About page that gave me a bit of a jolt. I’d left home at the weekend having scheduled my last two posts for the Three Quotes Challenge, and then I  found I had another little task to do – and only 24 hours to do it or I’d wallow in the Page of Lame for ever. Ouch… the shame of such a thing!

I must (seriously) thank the lovely Yinglan for thinking of me for this challenge. And it is quite some challenge to write a paragraph without using the most common vowel in the English language. It means that so many everyday words become taboo. Deep thinking is required…

These are the rules:

1) Write a whole paragraph ( a paragraph sounds easy right?) without any word containing the letter “e” (still easy?)
2) By reading this you are already signed up.
3) Challenge at least five bloggers to do the challenge. They must do it within 24 hours or it is considered as failure.
4) If you fail or pass, suffer in the Page of Lame.
5) If you win, wallow in the Page of Fame.

So I’ve come up with a rushed little effort, which I realise is an odd sort of ‘paragraph”. I’ve also given it a title:

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How Simply Absurd

On a sunny May morning, Matilda Rowbothom had an unusual visitor. A blackbird, all plump and glossy, had flown in through an upstairs window, trilling its happy song.

‘How do you do?’ Matilda said, not knowing any blackbird talk.

Blackbird sang again and said, ‘I am Basil, top bird about town. I think you and I should talk.’

‘It’s good to know you, sir,’ Matilda said, struck by this absurd situation. A talking bird, of all things! ‘What can I bring you this sunny, May day? A crumb or two, mayhap?’

‘I thank you, no. It’s not a crumb I want, but you…. to marry this day,’

‘What an idiotic plan,’ was all Matilda could say. ‘A girl and a bird … how simply absurd!  And what would folks say?’

‘But what would folks say to a girl marrying a gallant knight?’ Blackbird said, instantly transforming into a tall, muscular man in shining black armour.

Matilda took Sir Basil Draycott’s arm and said, ‘Sir, I’ll marry you right now, on this sunny, May day.

***

And here are my five nominees, all chosen because I think they could make a good job of this challenge:

Mara Fields

GiffordmacShane

Nitin Nair

Alex F 

williamleeone

37 thoughts on “Allergic to “E” Challenge”

  3. Wow! That’s a great challenge. A bit harsh arriving when you’re on holiday though. Well done for rising to it. Great paragraph.

    Reply

  5. This is a wonderful story from a tough challenge. I love the fairy tale approach, this reminds me of the princess and the frog story. Hope you don’t mind my pointing this out but I did find some naughty e’s.

    Reply

      2. Thanks, Chioma. We’re still in Wales and won’t be home until Saturday. We’ve been to Conwy Castle and still have two more to visit. If we had more time, there are others within reach, too, like Harlech. Another time, I think. 🙂

      2. I think I’ve asked the five I nominated now, but I don’t know whether all are doing the challenge. I’ve just got to link mine now. 🙂

  9. Pingback: Allergic to “E” Challenge | The Small Things.

    1. I certainly am, and the trouble is, I’m in Wales all this week. This challenge arrived on Monday, and had to be done within 24 hours. A bit of a rush, I can tell you. 😀

      Reply

    1. Thank you so much for that! I’m away in Wales this week, but I’ll hop over to your blog as soon as I can. It’ impossible to keep up with WP while I’m on holiday.

      Reply

      2. Well, I didn’t quite manage that! I must confess, when I first posted, there was a very naughty “the” in there. So, technically, I failed the challenge. Still, at least I had a go.

  17. Pingback: An Outstanding ‘A’ in Maths – Flash Fiction (sort of…) – Millie Thom

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