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Kid Gloves #flashfiction

Kid Gloves flash fiction

When I was a little kid (of the human kind — I kid you not), one of the stories I most disliked was The Wolf and the Seven Little Kids.

In case you have forgotten, the story told of a wolf who came a-knocking when Mother Goat was out. He used a variety of cunning tricks to entice the kids to open the door and let him in.

The things I didn’t like about the story were many and include:

  • that the mother goat left the kids at home on their own
  • the tricks that the wolf used
  • that the kids were tricked into letting him in
  • that the wolf ate the kids
  • that the mother goat cut the wolf open
  • that when the mother goat cut the wolf open, the kids popped out alive and well (what an awful experience)
  • that the goats filled the wolf’s stomach with stones and he drowned in the well.

Overall, I found the story very distressing and mean. Even then I preferred themes of kindness in my stories as much as in the world.

According to the original Grimm’s story, food was all the wolf was after, but is it possible he had another scheme in mind?

This week at the Carrot Ranch, Charli Mills challenged writers to In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that includes kid gloves. A prop in the hands of a character should further the story. Why the gloves? Who is that in the photo, and did he steal Kids’ gloves (of the Kid and Pal duo)? Consider different uses of the phrase, too. Go where the prompt leads!

Perhaps you already know where I’m going with this.

Kid Gloves for Sale

Wolf covered his sinister smile with a pleasant facade as he organised a stall between Little Red Hen’s Home-Made Bread and Pig Brothers’ Home Improvements. Dinner could wait. He was hoping for a killing of another kind — monetary — selling his home-made kid gloves.

When an unlikely pair of cowpokes enquired about the origins of his leather, he was evasive. When asked his whereabout the previous week, he attempted to flee; but the recently deputised Pal and Kid were too fast and snapped on the hand cuffs. “We arrest you for the disappearance and suspected murder of seven little kids.”

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Comments

30 responses to “Kid Gloves #flashfiction”

  1. The Littlest Goat #flashfiction | Norah Colvin Avatar

    […] Little Kids. I’ve written about it before, explained why I disliked it, and even wrote another flash fiction in response to one of Charli’s prompts about […]

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  2. Kid Gloves « Carrot Ranch Literary Community Avatar

    […] Kid Gloves for Sale by Norah Colvin […]

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  3. Charli Mills Avatar

    Food might have been the motivator in the original story, Norah, but plenty of wolves predate for monetary gain, too. I like the twists you’ve used, both to improve the story and add pal and Kid. I never heard that one before! I grew up with Disney books and was spared the grimmest of the Grimm.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      I’m sorry I had heard it. I can’t think with fondness about it the way I can about a few other stories – not many of Grimm’s though. I was a sensitive child … (maybe, who knows?)

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Msdedeng Avatar
    Msdedeng

    Unfortunately, I am unfamiliar with most of these books. Breaks my heart 😦

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      I’m sure many are familiar to you that are unfamiliar to me. This is another great plus of blogging and the internet. We can find out so much more from each other.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Msdedeng Avatar
        Msdedeng

        I think that makes sense. Thank you Norah.

        Liked by 1 person

  5. OIKOS™-Editorial Avatar

    Thats so true, Norah. Most of the old fairy tales – especially from Germany – are not really for kids. They are more for reading aloud to adults, with indeed good advices for them. 😉 Have a beautiful week! Michael

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thank you, Michael. This one has good advice for parents to not leave their young children unsupervised.
      You have a great week, too! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. OIKOS™-Editorial Avatar

        Thank you for sharing, Norah! Yes, parents could not have enough tipps and advices. Enjoy your week! Michael

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Norah Avatar

          Thanks, Michael. You too!

          Liked by 1 person

          1. OIKOS™-Editorial Avatar

            Thank you Norah! :-))

            Liked by 1 person

  6. Jim Borden Avatar

    that is a gruesome fairy tale. but you’re right, the wolf may have had a financial motive. I hope his stall neighbors were doing a booming business…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      I hope so too. 🙂 At least one of them hadn’t previously had a confrontation with him. At least, that I know of.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Jim Borden Avatar

        not yet… 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  7. Jennie Avatar

    Oh, I like your version Norah! I must admit I liked the fairy tale. Your counter points were excellent, and I can see why you disliked it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thanks, Jennie. It’s funny how we can focus on different parts of a story and either like or dislike it. I can also see why you and others would like it.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Jennie Avatar

        Yes, it is funny that way.

        Liked by 1 person

  8. calmkate Avatar

    lol and so justice was served, thanks to the cowboys 😉

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Anne Goodwin (Annecdotist) Avatar

    I love your list of things you hated about this fairy tale. And what you’ve done with what’s left … and continuing to find new roles for Kid and Pal. Also, a propos your previous post, wondering what Ethicool would do with this story.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      My list covered almost everything, didn’t it?
      I don’t think Kid and Pal should have too much free time – they might get up to mischief. 🙂
      I can’t see this story having a place in the Ethicool collection – better not submit it, eh?

      Liked by 1 person

  10. D. Avery @shiftnshake Avatar

    Wow! Kid and Pal are working harder than ever on their vacation. But glad they could help out here. While a less grim telling, there is still the matter of how these kid gloves came about… but besides the loss of seven kid goats, a fun take on the prompt.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Norah Avatar

      Yeah. Pal and Kid get up to all sorts of tricks when their writer lets them on the loose. Perhaps she should rein them in a bit. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  11. robbiesinspiration Avatar

    A great flash, Norah. Very clever. I remember reading Grimm’s fairy tales as a girl. The red dancing shoes about the girl who had her feet cut off and they danced away in the red shoes disturbed me a great deal.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Anne Goodwin (Annecdotist) Avatar

      Oh yes, another vicious one Robbie.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Norah Avatar

        I don’t like the sound of it either.

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Norah Avatar

      Thank you, Robbie. I don’t recall reading that story. Thankfully.

      Like

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