This week a the Carrot Ranch, Charli Mills challenged writers to In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about naked gardening. Is it the veggies or the gardener who is naked? Go where the prompt leads!
This is my response. I hope you like it.
Without a Hat
The farmer was out standing in the field when, one day, a wind whipped up and snatched his hat, tossing it into the air. It swooped over the garden beds as if playfully daring, ‘Come catch me.’ But the farmer couldn’t catch the hat which had been a fixture on his head for countless years. Everyone said he looked naked without it, but no other hat would do. Without it, he wilted in sun’s heat and sagged in rain. As the parading seasons took their toll, he disintegrated and decomposed, continuing to nourish the garden in a new way.
Thank you for reading. I appreciate your feedback. Please share your thoughts.
I also was wondering about the nakedness until I realised it was a scarecrow! Lovely take on this Norah, and how he (or she?) keeps on giving even though it be compost ..
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Thank you, Susan. I’d like to become compost one day. But not for a while. 🙂
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I like your scarecrow farmer… I wonder though if the crows are smart enough to know scarecrows aren’t breathing. But they do bring a smile when done up so cute.
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Thank you, Jules. I think crows are known to be some of the cleverest birds, aren’t they? I don’t know if anything can really be put over them. Scarecrows are cute, though.
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Sweet story, Norah. Did you ever read Wurzel Gummage?
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I haven’t, Anne. Should I?
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Maybe, it’s about a scarecrow, but I can’t remember much else about it.
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I did google it and am told it’s about a scarecrow. He was allowed different heads in the TV series. The mind boggles. Though I know what it means. 🙂
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So cute
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Thank you.
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Oh, the poor gardener. Well done, Norah.
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Thank you, Jennie. He continues to give long after anyone thought possible.
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Yes!
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The poor gardener, he reminded me of the Scarecrow from Oz. It’s interesting how we all have things in our lives – seemingly simple and meaningless things – and without them we feel naked and incomplete. Nice story.
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That’s true. My Hub often tells me I look naked without my handbag (like the Queen). I hope nobody else sees me that way. 😂
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Love it, Norah!
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Thanks, Robin.
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What a great take on this challenge, Norah. Brilliant. I couldn’t get past naked gardening. 🙂 I’m way too literal. 🙂
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I know the feeling. I couldn’t go there though. I tried for a take on the Emperor’s New Clothes but couldn’t quite get there. Adam and Eve also came to mind – didn’t want to go their either. 😂
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LOL, I’m laughing right now. I couldn’t get past the naked part. 🙂
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😂😉😊
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After time and the loss of our favorite things, we get beaten down but still able to give in new ways.
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That’s right, Charli. There are many different ways to give.
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Naked without his hat and exposed to the elements. A clever and creative take on the prompt!
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Thank you, Charli. 🙂
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who knew a hat provided such life energy! nice ending, Norah…
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Thank you, Jim. Some of us can get very dependent on particular items of clothing. Or so I’ve heard.
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I know the feeling…
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A lovely take on the prompt, Norah.
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Thank you, Robbie.
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What fun, Norah, and I am immediately curious your take on this. Poignant and poetic justice in a circle of life kind of way.❤️ Very creative!
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Thank you, Erica. I appreciate your kind words.
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You are outstanding in your field!
Loved the subtle slow reveal that this was in fact a scarecrow.
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Aw, shucks. Thanks. I thought the image would have given away the scarecrow. 🙂
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I focus on the writing.It’s worth a thousand images.
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Hehehe. I do that too. 🙂
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This is fantastic, Norah. 💖 Love the ending.
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Thank you, Sarah. I’m pleased it worked.
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Nicely unexpected ending Norah.
Huge Hugs
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Thank you, David. Appreciated.
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