Flash Fiction for for Aspiring Writers is a writing challenge hosted by Priceless Joy. It asks us to write a piece of fiction from the photo prompt provided in around 100-150 words – give or take 25 words. It encourages us to comment, constructively, on other entries, so supporting each other’s writing. If you’d like to join in with this challenge, follow the above link to see what to do. The challenge runs from Tuesday to Tuesday every week.
This is the prompt, kindly provided by my daughter, Louise, at thestorytellersabode:
And this is my story:
A Really Good Listener
‘You know, Stanley, it’s no fun living with a man who takes me for granted and never listens to a word I say. He’s really selfish, when I think about it.’
Glum-faced, Melanie leaned against the gate beside her friend, considering how miserable she’d been since Jack moved into her flat. ‘He never wants to go anywhere, even at weekends, says he’s too tired after working all week. Cobblers to that! I work all week, too, and have all the housework to do. Jack doesn’t even help with that. He just sits in front of the telly, waiting for his meals. And don’t get me started about the washing up.’
Feeling more positive than she’d done for months, Melanie made to leave. ‘Thanks for being a good listener, Stanley. This little chat’s helped me make my mind up. Jack can pack his bags tonight.’
Stanley the Scarecrow watched Melanie stomp off down the lane. Yes, he was a good listener. He’d be a good talker, too, if someone had thought to give him a mouth.
Word Count: 175
If you’d like to read other entries, or add a story yourself, click on the little blue frog:
Millie Thom 
Beautiful! 🙂
Thank you! It’s a while since I wrote a flash fiction post, and I’ve really missed it. (Hope to be visiting blogs over the next few days. I’ve not been on mine for the last two weeks, so I’m very behind). 🙂
Yeah, this one was absolutely fantastic Millie! Although the picture showed that scarecrow is being called a good listener , still the way you wrote stirred my mind! 🙂
It is OK, it happens we tend to get left behind in following up with the blog but we all get back soon, how long can we stay away from writing and reading? 😀
Hi Prabhat. Just to let you know that we all make our own titles up for these posts. We just get a picture, which we interpret however we like. So the title here was mine.
The challenge is open to everyone, and as you like to write, you’d probably enjoy doing this one! I got into flash fiction writing when another blogger said the same thing to me. 🙂
A twist I wasn’t expecting! Thought it might be a cat or a cow…
Thanks Giff. I suppose it could have been anything she was talking to. Lol I have visions of her talking to a cow in my head now! 🙂
Hahaha! Adorable! If only someone had thought to give Stanley a mouth! LOL! I really enjoyed this Millie! It’s so very nice to have you back! I hope we will see more stories from you in the future.
I’d dearly love to write one every week, as I used to do, Joy. I’ve been busy writing stories for my own flash fiction book, you see, using my own photos as prompts. I didn’t want my book to have just stories written for WordPress challenges. I felt I needed some that hadn’t already been read. So you see, I’ve been writing a lot and my blog has been sadly neglected. Now that’s done, thankfully, and the stories are with the editor. I still have Book 3 of my trilogy to finish, but I’ll try to do more of your challenge, if I can.
The first thing I noticed about that scarecrow was that he didn’t have a mouth. Poor thing. 🙂
That’s wonderful about your book, Millie! I completely understand and will be happy to see you participate when you are able to do so. I wish you the best of luck with your books!
Thank you! I really appreciate your good wishes. 🙂
Yay!
Happy to see Millie on the fiction site.
I love this very much, why didn’t they give him a mouth.
Hi Chioma. I’ve really missed doing these challenges, but it’s hard when I’m writing my own stories at home. Doing the travel posts is a nice change. I did this one because I was with Lou when she took the photo (in fact, I’ve got several of the same scarecrow). I think it was a bit mean of whoever made him, not to give him a mouth – and only half an arm, too. They’ve no feelings at all! 🙂
Wonderful to see a story from you again! And oh, that poor Stanley, wanting so much to be able to return the favor of those confidences, or at least give some good advice to his best (and only) friend. If he only had a mouth! (Cue that Wizard of Oz song…) 😉
Yeah, scarecrows always seem to be missing some vital part of their anatomy, don’t they? Scarecrow builders must be a mean lot! 🙂
Yes, although if you have a scarecrow that’s fully functional, I worry you can’t help but end up with a horror movie. 😉
Haha! I hadn’t looked at it that way! 😃
Funny! Yes, he needs a mouth, after all, he already has a brain! Great story. 🙂
but if he could speak he may not remain a good listener, nice post
http://obliqview.blogspot.in/2016/07/the-trick-castle-was-to-theirshock-and.html
You’re absolutely right. People often tend to either be good listeners, or they love the sound of their own voices so much they talk people half to death! Thank you for the nice comment, IB. 🙂
Everyone needs a Stanley sometimes 🙂
Absolutely! A listening ear is sometimes all we need to get our thoughts in order. Thanks, Ali. 🙂
Ha ha, that’s a good one! Hope Jack is out of her life now!
Thanks, Ineke. Yes, who needs people like Jack around? I’d say that Melanie really needed that little chat with Stanley. 🙂
I love it! How sweet 🙂
Thanks, Cameron. Scarecrows are funny things to write about. We can make them have so many different personalities and even make them quite evil, if we choose. The one in this photo was taken by one of my daughters when we were in Cornwall a few weeks ago. He’d look much better if he had a mouth! Lol. 🙂
They are but a great idea non the less 🙂
Haha, never underestimate a scarecrow 🙂 Great story!
That’s so true. Who knows what strange powers a scarecrow may possess. Thanks, Inese. 🙂
Lovely story! a great read 🙂
Thank you for the lovely comment, Daisy! Much appreciated. 🙂
Poor Stanley! Though he’s still been a great help to Melanie 😉
Yes, I feel sorry for Stanley, too, having to stay silent all his life. Perhaps some kind passer-by will Give him a mouth. He certainly did help Melanie to see her best way forward. 🙂
This was a great read! I agree with draliman, everyone needs a Stanley sometimes! 🙂
Yes, Ali is so right! A listening ear is sometimes all we need to help us air our thoughts and see things more clearly. 🙂
Hahaha this is excellent Millie…I didn’t see that one coming 🙂
Hi Lynne. It’s ages since I did a flash fiction challenge, and I thought I’d better do this one, as it was my daughter’s photo. She took it when we were down in Cornwall a few weeks ago. The scarecrow looked quite odd, standing by the fence down a quiet lane. Thank you for liking my story, though – I enjoyed writing it! 🙂
I bet he would have had quite a bit to say. Great post.
Thank you, Jacqueline. 🙂 I reckon Stanley would ‘talk the hind leg off a donkey’ if some kind person gave him a mouth.
http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/6912014.html?section=india
Millie, I enjoyed this too, poor Melanie, what a predicament. The scarecrow was truly a good listener, and I liked the little kick of humor at the end!
Hahaha! I loved how Melanie just poured her heart out here. It doesn’t matter, does it, as long as we can just get our frustrations and feelings out.
If Stanley could talk, eh?
Ellespeth
Great story!
I am sure he would be able to tell you a story or two!