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A Kingdom for a Koala

A Kingdom for a Koala flash fiction

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!

Carrot Ranch flash fiction challenge Koala

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 blog post

Thank you for reading. I appreciate your feedback. Please share your thoughts.

Comments

46 responses to “A Kingdom for a Koala”

  1. Sarah Brentyn Avatar

    Lovely. 🐨😊❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thanks, Sarah. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sarah Brentyn Avatar

        There’s a story for you back at Lemon Shark (in the comments). 🐨❤️

        Like

        1. Norah Avatar

          Good one, Sarah. Thanks. 🙂

          Liked by 1 person

  2. Surprise Party for a Koala | Norah Colvin Avatar

    […] I submitted A kingdom for a Koala in response to the prompt last week, I thought I’d have another go this week. The koala is one of […]

    Like

  3. Chelsea Owens Avatar

    Eucalyptus for everyone!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Indeed! (Or maybe only for those who like it.) 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Anne Goodwin (Annecdotist) Avatar

    A cautionary tale for our times. Will the animals avenge our environmental destruction?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      I hope so, Anne. Humans don’t seem to be making much of a go of it.

      Like

  5. Jennie Avatar

    This was a great one, Norah!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thanks so much, Jennie.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Jennie Avatar

        You’re welcome, Norah.

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Laureen Avatar
    Laureen

    Love it:) It’s such a lovely story:)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thank you, Laureen. 🙂

      Like

  7. dgkaye Avatar

    Love it – the story and the karmic ending! ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thank you, Debby. Even I was happy to see the tables turned. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Jules Avatar

    A most excellent solution to a tyrant.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thanks, Jules. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Jacqui Murray Avatar

    There aren’t a lot of koala stories. This is great, Norah.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thanks so much, Jacqui. Perhaps we see more of koala stories here in Australia. There are a few about.

      Like

  10. calmkate Avatar

    great kids story, they would so love this …
    all those who cut down trees should be in prison … yea the koalas!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thank you, Kate. I appreciate your support … for my story and the koalas. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. calmkate Avatar

        they’ve always intrigued me 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Norah Avatar

          They are very special, aren’t they?

          Liked by 1 person

          1. calmkate Avatar

            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!

            Liked by 1 person

            1. Norah Avatar

              I haven’t seen many out walking. What a delightful encounter.

              Liked by 1 person

              1. calmkate Avatar

                I’ve seen quite a few but then I’ve done loads of bushwalking 🙂

                Like

        2. D. Avery @shiftnshake Avatar

          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.

          Liked by 2 people

          1. Norah Avatar

            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. 🙂

            Liked by 1 person

          2. calmkate Avatar

            indeed they are D. but think I’d rather cuddle them than have them hug me to death 🙂

            Liked by 2 people

  11. jenanita01 Avatar

    I struggled a bit with this one, but I see you didn’t. This was lovely (and topical too!)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thanks so much, Anita. I don’t think your story appeared to be a struggle. It flowed fairly smoothly.

      Liked by 1 person

  12. boundlessblessingsblog Avatar

    Hahaha so cute and what a beautiful response, Norah. Too good and the Koala in the picture is such a darling.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thanks so much, Kamal. Unfortunately, I can’t take credit for the koala photograph.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. thecontentedcrafter Avatar

    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.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Norah Avatar

      I would have loved to be there, especially for the inaugural one. Never mind. One day …
      Thanks for your support of my story. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  14. petespringerauthor Avatar
    petespringerauthor

    Nice to be able to teach a lesson in less than 99 words. Good job, Norah.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thanks, Pete. I try. 🙂

      Like

  15. robbiesinspiration Avatar

    A great response, Norah. It fits in well with the world’s topical issues.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thanks, Robbie. I’m pleased you enjoyed it.

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Miriam Hurdle Avatar

    Haha, this is very clever, Norah and the Koala king!!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thanks, Miriam. I think the Koala will be a more magnanimous ruler.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Miriam Hurdle Avatar

        No one would argue with that. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

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