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Upstairs or Downstairs #flashfiction

Upstairs or Downstairs flash fiction

Over at the Carrot Ranch this week, Charli Mills challenged writers to In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story using two words that contradict. Examples include champagne and hard-rock; rosemary and sewage; duck down and firecrackers; sleep and square-dancing. Use one of these or make up your own. Go where the prompt leads!

Carrot Ranch flash fiction contradictions

I haven’t gone with contradiction as much as confusion, but it’s fitting following something I wrote on my readilearn blog last week. In case you missed it, I wrote that being in lockdown has “felt like time has stood still and sped by at the same time”. That’s a contradiction. My story is a confusion.

Upstairs or Downstairs

Granny scratched her head. “I don’t know if I’m Arthur or Martha.”

“Whad’ya mean, Granny? I’m Arthur,” Arthur laughed.

“It’s just an old saying. Means I don’t know if I’m coming or going.”

“But you’re not coming or going. You’re staying here. With us.”

“I know,” laughed Granny. “I’m just a bit confused is all.”

“What’re you confused about?”

“I just came all the way down here for something, and I can’t remember what.”

“But this is upstairs, Granny. Not downstairs.”

“Silly me. There’s not much in my upstairs anymore.”

Now it was Arthur’s turn to scratch his head.

Thank you blog post

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

Comments

45 responses to “Upstairs or Downstairs #flashfiction”

  1. Jennie Avatar

    This was a perfect follow through to your previous statement. I can relate! Well done, Norah.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thank you, Jennie. I’m pleased you enjoyed it.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Jennie Avatar

        You’re welcome, Norah. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Patricia Tilton Avatar

    That put a smile on my face! Thank you!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      I’m pleased. Thank you, Patricia.

      Like

  3. robertawrites235681907 Avatar

    This is a great piece, Norah. A very clever idea.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thank you, Robbie. I enjoyed writing it.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Hugh W. Roberts Avatar

    Granny sounds likes me when I sometimes open the fridge door and then wonder what I opened it for. I call them ‘senior moments’, although I’m sure we all get them, Norah.

    I’ve heard of the saying ‘Arthur or Martha.’ Even today, it occasionally crops up, even on the TV.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      I think you’re right, Hugh. We do all have those moments. They keep us on our toes. 🙂
      I’m pleased the term was familiar to you – I didn’t want to confuse my readers as much as Granny! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  5. dgkaye Avatar

    Well done Norah. Life is sometimes an oxymoron. I liked the contradiction with time. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thank you, Debby. There is so much about life that doesn’t make sense. It’s a good thing we enjoy it – mostly. 😂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. dgkaye Avatar

        So true Norah 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Miriam Hurdle Avatar

    What a funny story, Norah. Let’s say it’s getting to be the new normal for some of us.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      That’s so true, Miriam. Sad, but true. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Miriam Hurdle Avatar

        You’re right, Norah. When it happens, I’ll accept it. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Norah Avatar

          We do what we can, while we can, until we can’t. Then we just do what we can as well. Enjoy!

          Like

          1. Miriam Hurdle Avatar

            Yeah, it’s so true!

            Liked by 1 person

  7. Susan Scott Avatar

    ha ha! This is funny Norah thanks for the smile 🙂 I seldom know whether I’m coming or going 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      I’m the same. And that’s even when I’m staying put! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Anne Goodwin (Annecdotist) Avatar

    Sweet story, Norah, thanks for making me smile. Is Martha/Arthur an Australian expression? I haven’t heard it before, but fits the story beautifully. Alas, time’s whizzing by all too quickly for me although I know many who are struggling with lockdown boredom.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thanks, Anne. Your comment about Arthur and Martha made me stop and think. It’s a saying I seem to have known forever but, like many from my childhood, never questioned its origins. Your comment made me worry that I had used something that could be considered insensitive or inappropriate these days, as much from my childhood has been shown to be. So I checked it out and most seem to agree that it’s a saying used in Australia and New Zealand to mean confusion. I was very relieved to find there were no other interpretations but I am grateful to you. I must try to be more mindful of sayings and their origins in the future.
      I agree with you about time. I think life must be like one of those chains on a pulley – the closer you get to the end, the faster it goes. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Anne Goodwin (Annecdotist) Avatar

        I didn’t think it was insensitive, but I did wonder if this was going to be a story about gender. But I liked it, especially the rhyming of the names despite the different spelling, as I imagine you would have done.

        But I agree about so many of our assumptions from childhood. Even though I am conscious that I disagree with much of my parents’ beliefs and attitudes, I still find myself echoing my mother sometimes. It’s good to question but can be exhausting.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Norah Avatar

          We need to keep informing ourselves. It can be a difficult job. Most of the time we don’t even know what we don’t know.

          Liked by 1 person

  9. Jacqui Murray Avatar

    Fun story–a lot because I relate to it!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      There are a few of us who relate. 🙂

      Like

  10. TanGental Avatar

    This is perfect.. and a bit to close to my lived experience for comfort

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thank you, Geoff. And mine! 🙂

      Like

  11. Charli Mills Avatar

    I think the grandson notices the contradictions in grandma’s confusion! Fun flash, Norah!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      The grandson is usually quite switched on. 🙂 I’m pleased you enjoyed it, Charli.

      Like

  12. thecontentedcrafter Avatar

    Ha,ha! I feel a little bit like that some days……. Well captured Norah!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thank you, Pauline. The situation is quite familiar to me. Especially with my grandson Arthur. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Bette A. Stevens Avatar
    Bette A. Stevens

    Love it! 🙂 xo

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thank you, Bette. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  14. D. Avery @shiftnshake Avatar

    So well done, Norah! Thank you for a smile this morning.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thanks, D. I’m pleased it gave you a smile. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Jim Borden Avatar

    Clever! we’re all confused right now…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      I am, anyway …. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  16. calmkate Avatar

    agree, very cute word play!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thank you, Kate. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. calmkate Avatar

        welcome, it’s delightful!

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Norah Avatar

          You’re too kind. Thank you muchly. 🙂

          Liked by 1 person

  17. beth Avatar

    this is such a cute one, Norah! very clever word play –

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thank you, Beth. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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