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FF – The Tree

Here is my story for Friday Fictioneers, hosted by Rochelle. This week’s photo was contributed by Liz Young.

Copyright Liz Young

In a forest of greens and browns, The Tree stood proud. Grey, sickly, it had abided long centuries. Many were the theories.

Had it died long since, but not yet crumbled to dust?

Could it be that dark Magicks flourished within the ground, poisoning its roots? If one were to venture too close, might the dark spells cause one’s head to explode?

Was the tree perhaps cursed, and to linger in its vicinity might cause one’s private unmentionables to wither and die?

One thing we know for sure, and one thing only.

It makes for a bloody good photo.

  1. March 17, 2021 at 8:15 pm

    My first thought was, “I want to play in that.” After reading “to linger in its vicinity might cause one’s private unmentionables to wither and die” I’m not so sure.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. March 17, 2021 at 8:20 pm

    Ah, but a photo of WHAT?

    Liked by 1 person

  3. March 17, 2021 at 8:28 pm

    LOL! I love the suspense and the twist at the end! 😀

    Like

  4. March 17, 2021 at 8:55 pm

    Fantastic! I can see a figure, legs akimbo, guarding the grotto beneath. His unmentionables seem to be missing!

    Like

  5. March 17, 2021 at 8:55 pm

    After all that buildup, back to reality! 😀

    Like

    • March 18, 2021 at 8:38 am

      A bit of a shame, but never mind, at least no-one died! Yet 😉

      Liked by 1 person

  6. March 17, 2021 at 11:19 pm

    I’m not going to risk my unmentionables to find out more!

    Like

  7. Lyn
    March 17, 2021 at 11:51 pm

    Well, that WAS a surprise. No evil squirrels lurking in the twisted roots and branches? That’s most unlike you Ali, but you certainly built the suspense up beautifully 😀 👍

    Like

  8. March 18, 2021 at 1:19 am

    It sure is an extra ordinary photo.

    Like

  9. March 18, 2021 at 8:22 am

    It’s a good thing someone thought to take that picture of the awesome looking tree before it got bulldozed and turned into Puppies on a Roll…

    Like

  10. March 18, 2021 at 11:18 am

    Dear Ali,

    A good photo indeed. Nicely done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

  11. March 18, 2021 at 2:20 pm

    You were certainly waxing lyrical as they say.

    Like

  12. March 18, 2021 at 2:22 pm

    hehe, that it does. A very good photo, indeed. Great story.

    Like

  13. March 18, 2021 at 3:43 pm

    There seems to be a lot of concern over unmentionables, but I was already fleeing from exploding head!

    Like

    • March 19, 2021 at 8:09 am

      Exploding head. Withering unmentionables. Exploding head. Withering unmentionables. Not sure which I find more chilling 😮

      Like

  14. March 18, 2021 at 4:25 pm

    That explains a lot, I must have lingered in the vicinity of it!

    Like

  15. March 18, 2021 at 7:28 pm

    All those interesting theories, and then that last line. Great job–made me laugh.

    Like

  16. March 19, 2021 at 6:39 am

    Here, here let’s drink to the tree. 😀

    Like

  17. GHLearner
    March 19, 2021 at 12:07 pm

    I certainly prefer a photo to an exploding head or withering unmentionables. Great fun.

    Liked by 1 person

    • March 20, 2021 at 4:13 am

      Yes, much better. Photos to be taken from a distance via zoom lens 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  18. March 19, 2021 at 3:45 pm

    it’s its clamor for attention that keeps the tree alive for many more photo shoots to come. 🙂

    Like

  19. March 19, 2021 at 7:18 pm

    Nice twist, Ali, and a good take on the prompt.

    Like

  20. March 19, 2021 at 8:14 pm

    Exploding head or withering unmentionables? I think I’ll stay away. Green or grey, it certainly does make a good photo.

    Like

    • March 20, 2021 at 4:15 am

      It does, and staying away is a good plan. Just in case 🙂

      Like

  21. March 19, 2021 at 9:34 pm

    Great take on the prompt. I think I’ll stay away.

    Like

    • March 20, 2021 at 4:15 am

      Good idea. Photos from a distance only!

      Like

  22. March 20, 2021 at 9:10 am

    In the final End, only the digital photo will survive – but who will see them?

    Like

    • March 21, 2021 at 6:21 am

      If there is no-one there to see them, do they really exist…

      Liked by 1 person

  23. March 20, 2021 at 11:30 pm

    Nice combo, philosophy and humor. Yes it does!

    Like

  24. March 21, 2021 at 3:41 am

    Not the unmentionables!!

    Like

    • March 21, 2021 at 6:23 am

      Yes, Dale. The unmentionables 😮 😦

      Like

  25. March 22, 2021 at 11:33 am

    It’s the withers that’s giving everyone shivers. They should use the technology for bank vaults.

    Liked by 1 person

    • March 23, 2021 at 6:16 am

      I wouldn’t be robbing any bank vaults that had that thing at the door!

      Like

  26. March 24, 2021 at 9:32 am

    Great story – the ending made me laugh. I liked the way you hyped up the Magicke, especially the withering!

    Liked by 1 person

    • March 25, 2021 at 5:39 am

      It’s not real Magick unless there is withering involved 🙂

      Like

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