Times Flies When You're Having Fun
1 year on Substack
1 year, 39 stories, 166 subscribers later, and I can wholeheartedly say that I love it here at Substack! Today, April 13, 2023 marks exactly one year since I posted my very first story on this platform. For those that weren’t here back then, this is the story that started it all.
Now, to celebrate this One-Yeariversary, I want to share two stories that are just plain silly. I hope they make you smile. First up is the second story I posted way back at the beginning of this journey. It didn’t get a lot of attention then, but I love it and I want it to have another chance.
The second story I wrote on April 12, 2021. This is its Substack debut.
The Prompt: You are an ostrich dropped in the middle of New York City. Go nuts, do whatever you want.
The world was bright. Too bright. And much too loud. What in the world was all the screaming for?
All of a sudden I became aware of some strange creature speeding toward me, so I took off on my two-toed feet. Only to be surrounded by a whole herd of screaming creatures, most of them a garishly bright yellow. I spun in circles, trying to find a way out, but there was none.
Instead of attempting to bury my head in the ground, which is a cruel myth and hurtful to ostriches everywhere, I opted to flop myself onto the ground. Maybe if they couldn't see me, these strange creatures would go away.
But it was not to be. They continued to screech in a terrible way, and being on the ground just served to attract the attention of a different creature. I'd heard rumors about these short, featherless beasts. And none of them were good.
I scrambled back to my feet, throwing out my wings in an attempt to shoo them away. But they were locked onto me, as if I was some kind of easy to catch prey. In a matter of moments, I was completely surrounded. Then, there was a weird sensation in my neck and my world went dark.
When I came to, I was in a much quieter, but still bright place. I got to my feet, and immediately tried to get out of here. A few steps later, I ran headlong into some silly piece of human equipment. It only took me a few seconds to realize that the equipment was a full circle. I was trapped.
That's when I heard the beastly humans making funny noises above me. I looked up and there they were, rudely pointing at me and talking about me behind my back. I rushed toward where they were, but it was hopeless. I couldn't fly, so I couldn't reach them.
I resigned myself to watching and listening. I wasn't fluent yet in their archaic tongue, but I eventually made out a few sentences.
"The company will go crazy for this!"
"It's the most amazing slogan anyone has ever made."
"Limu Emuuuuu. And Doug."
What!? That couldn't be right!
I'm an Ostrich! I screeched. I live on a totally different continent than emus!
The ignorant humans gawked and pointed at my screeching, but didn't amend their statement. That's when it hit me. They didn't understand what I was saying. Sighing, I turned my back on them and began to plan my escape.
Huge thanks to everyone who reads my stories!! You make it so fun!
Celebrate with me in the comments by letting me know which story of mine is your favorite. It doesn’t have to be one of the three included in this post.
Have a wonderful rest of your week! See you next Thursday!
Congrats for reaching your milestone!! 166 readers is a respectable number. Don't sit on your laurels for too long, you have another goal to meet!
Congratulations on your anniversary, Claire! Here's to another year of great stories.
My favorite to date: Secret Identities --"Meanwhile, back on the catwalk..."
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