This week at the Carrot Ranch, Charli Mills challenged writers to In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about a koala in a kingdom. You can create a character out of Norah’s koala and give it a Vermont adventure. Or you can make up a story however you want! Can you pull off a BOTS (based on a true story)? Go where the prompt leads!
Since the prompt was prompted by a tiny koala I’d sent as my proxy at the inaugural Carrot Ranch Writers’ Refuge in Vermont, I thought I’d better join in. And since Charli is busy out of State this week, she’s given us two weeks in which to respond so there’s still plenty of time to join in with your own koala story if you wish.
Here’s mine. I hope you like it.
A Kingdom for a Koala
“Bring me a koala!” The king bellowed, sending servants scuttling.
His zoo was complete with all, except a koala. The omission stoked his anger daily. He wouldn’t accept that his destruction of eucalypt forests had decimated their population.
From the shadows came a tiny voice. “What will you give for a koala?”
“Anything!”
“Your kingdom?’
“Yes, my kingdom! Anything! Just get me a koala.”
“I have a koala. First, your sceptre and your kingdom.”
Blinded by rage and desire, the king complied.
The koala removed her mask. The king gloated pre-emptively.
“Throw him into the dungeon. Free the animals!”
Thank you for reading. I appreciate your feedback. Please share your thoughts.
Norah Colvin 
Lovely. 🐨😊❤️
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Thanks, Sarah. 🙂
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There’s a story for you back at Lemon Shark (in the comments). 🐨❤️
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Good one, Sarah. Thanks. 🙂
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Eucalyptus for everyone!
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Indeed! (Or maybe only for those who like it.) 🙂
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A cautionary tale for our times. Will the animals avenge our environmental destruction?
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I hope so, Anne. Humans don’t seem to be making much of a go of it.
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This was a great one, Norah!
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Thanks so much, Jennie.
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You’re welcome, Norah.
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Love it:) It’s such a lovely story:)
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Thank you, Laureen. 🙂
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Love it – the story and the karmic ending! ❤
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Thank you, Debby. Even I was happy to see the tables turned. 🙂
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❤
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A most excellent solution to a tyrant.
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Thanks, Jules. 🙂
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There aren’t a lot of koala stories. This is great, Norah.
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Thanks so much, Jacqui. Perhaps we see more of koala stories here in Australia. There are a few about.
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great kids story, they would so love this …
all those who cut down trees should be in prison … yea the koalas!
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Thank you, Kate. I appreciate your support … for my story and the koalas. 🙂
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they’ve always intrigued me 🙂
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They are very special, aren’t they?
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indeed and I seem to have a knack for spotting and meeting them … curled up snoozing in a tree they look so plump but out walking one can see that the fur is what gives the appearance of being fat. They are indeed quite sleek!
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I haven’t seen many out walking. What a delightful encounter.
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I’ve seen quite a few but then I’ve done loads of bushwalking 🙂
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Norah! Guess where that picture was taken? My front porch! A koala in my kingdom!
There’s a lot of black bears around here but no koalas. I appreciate your 99 word take very much. Each species is priceless.
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Thanks, D. I’m pleased koala got to visit your kingdom. I think I’d rather be visited by koalas than black bears. Black bears are way more scary. 🙂
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indeed they are D. but think I’d rather cuddle them than have them hug me to death 🙂
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🙂
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I struggled a bit with this one, but I see you didn’t. This was lovely (and topical too!)
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Thanks so much, Anita. I don’t think your story appeared to be a struggle. It flowed fairly smoothly.
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Hahaha so cute and what a beautiful response, Norah. Too good and the Koala in the picture is such a darling.
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Thanks so much, Kamal. Unfortunately, I can’t take credit for the koala photograph.
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Welcome Norah .
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Norah, I like that you thought to send a Koala to represent you at the writers refuge. But such a pity you couldn’t be there in person. And a story with a neatly impaling environmental twist there – nicely done.
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I would have loved to be there, especially for the inaugural one. Never mind. One day …
Thanks for your support of my story. 🙂
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Nice to be able to teach a lesson in less than 99 words. Good job, Norah.
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Thanks, Pete. I try. 🙂
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A great response, Norah. It fits in well with the world’s topical issues.
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Thanks, Robbie. I’m pleased you enjoyed it.
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Haha, this is very clever, Norah and the Koala king!!
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Thanks, Miriam. I think the Koala will be a more magnanimous ruler.
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No one would argue with that. 🙂
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