This week at the Carrot Ranch, Charli Mills challenged writers to In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about earthing. Put a character’s hands, feet or body and soul into the earth. Who needs recharging? What happens between the interaction? Go where the prompt leads!
The prompt coincided with Earth Day which, celebrated on 22nd April each year, is the anniversary of the beginning of the environmental movement in 1970.
In her post, Charli says, ‘Earth Day is a good time to talk about earthing. Also known as grounding, earthing describes interacting with the earth barefoot and bare handed.’
It made me think of childhood days of playing in the dirt and making mud pies. As long as we were having fun, we never minded how dirty we got. I think now that maybe Mum may not have been so thrilled.
There’s nothing like children for being totally absorbed by something they enjoy and for making the most of opportunities that arise.
This is my response to Charli’s prompt. I hope you enjoy it.
For Earth Day
“They’re very quiet,” said Dad.
“For a change,” said Mum.
“Suspiciously quiet,” said Dad. Mum didn’t stir — no way she’d abandon her match-3 game mid-level to investigate.
“Hmpf,” said Dad, marking his page. He slid into his slippers and shuffled to the door.
“What’re you doin’?” he yelled.
Two small mud-spattered bodies frolicking under the sprinkler in his freshly-prepared garden bed froze.
“Nuthin’,” said one.
The other gaped.
“Sure don’t look like nuthin’,” said Dad. “Git yerselfs outta there.”
He killed the sprinkler and fun in one.
“We thought you made it for us—”
“—for Earth Day.”
Thank you for reading. I appreciate your feedback. Please share your thoughts.
Norah Colvin 
Another fun and realistic flash, Norah. Great response to the prompt.
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Thank you, Anne. Your comments are always appreciated.
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Your story may have been fiction… but it happened to me! The folks were visiting relatives and there weren’t and young folk. So my sib and I went into the back yard and put on the hose and made mud pies and in general made a big mess since we were left alone for too long. And it wasn’t even Earth Day… well maybe it was for us!
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Perhaps you created Earth Day, Jules. Children know what they need if left to it. Sometimes. 🙂
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So true, Norah. Well done!
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Thank you, Jennie. 🙂
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You’re welcome, Norah.
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This is a fun story, Norah, but I hope the father didn’t get to cross. We had a giant sandpit for our boys when they were young and we used to have a group of kids over to play in the sand with the hosepipe. Such fun. I can also remember climbing down into ditches when we lived in a rural town in the Western Cape and digging for clay to model into pots and pans.
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Thanks, Robbie. I think Dad might have joined in. How could you not with two adorable children like that? 🙂
Thank you for sharing your memories too. I don’t think today’s children get to do those things enough. If they did, it wouldn’t need to be recommended. It just would be.
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No, Norah, parents are to busy working and the kids turn to computer games and TV. There also isn’t as much freedom for children so they don’t play in big groups with different ages and learn from each other like we used to.
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That’s right, Robbie. Their childhoods are vastly different from ours; not everything’s better, not everything’s worse, just different.
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great story, Norah. I hope the Dad turned the sprinkler back on…
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I think he probably joined in. 🙂
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even better 🙂
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As others have said, silence is suspicious. 😉 Great image of you playing in the mud.
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Thank you, Sarah. It was always fun to play in the mud. Funny how many things from my childhood are now being promoted as good for us. I wonder how they got waylaid in the process. I think my generation did it.
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Lovin’ it! ❤
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Thank you, Bette.
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Isn’t it funny how the lack of noise raises suspicion? Nice one, Norah!
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Thanks, Pete. That seemed to be the way of it in my family. If the kids were quiet, it meant they were up to something. Most of the time, I was just reading. 🙂
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With Mause, I’m often alert to quiet moments. Silence is golden unless you have a puppy or children. Then silence is suspicious. Well done with your 99-word story.
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Children and dogs. That’s interesting. Thank you for your encouraging comment.
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Ah. Parents really are no fun. 😀
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Sometimes. Dad might join in.
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Oh the fun and innocence! I always enjoy how you write children. There’re no bounds to the love you craft through their eyes each week. What a blessing to have their freedom, mud caked and all.
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I agree, Norah gets the kids just right.
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Thank you, Anne. I do work hard on it.
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Thank you so much for your lovely comment, Rebecca. I really appreciate it. I do try hard to get into the situation and minds of young children.
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