Tiny Flying Insects #flashfiction

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This week at the Carrot Ranch, Charli Mills challenged writers to In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that includes tiny flying insects. Think about how the insects shape the scene or add to the action. Go where the prompt leads!

Like many, I have a love-hate relationship with tiny flying insects. I love some. I hate some. Well, perhaps hate is too strong a word. I dislike their presence but appreciate their contribution to the environment, whether it be as decomposers or valuable food source.

My love list includes:

  • butterflies
  • bees
  • ladybirds
  • dragonflies

My not-so-much list includes:

  • cockroaches
  • flies
  • mosquitos
  • midges

These two groups probably lie at either end of the continuum with thousands more in between.

My fascination with these tiny creatures can be easily evidenced on readilearn, my collection of teaching resources for the first three years of school, where there are numerous resources devoted to minibeasts, especially bees, butterflies, and ladybirds.

Keeping caterpillars in the classroom and watching them progress through their life stages until metamorphosing into adult butterflies was one of the children’s and my favourite things. It is a wonderful way to enable children to see nature close up and develop an appreciation for these tiny creatures and their contribution to the environment. It encourages them to look more closely and with more wonder when exploring the outdoors.

It would be easy to write a story about one of the tiny flying insects that I love and more of a challenge to write about one that I love not-quite-so-much. However, I have previously written a story about a fly for an (imaginary) audience of young children. I share a 99-word synopsis of that story in response to Charli’s challenge. Let’s see what you think of it.

BBQ the Fly

Named for their favourite thing, BBQ’s parents farewelled their son on his first independent foray.

“You can! Avoid the can!” they called. BBQ had trained relentlessly, perfecting every manoeuvre — walking on ceilings, buzzing people and, especially, dodging the dreaded spray.

BBQ’s antennae zeroed in on a backyard barbecue where he chose a juicy sausage for his ritual dance. He had just extended his proboscis when a swarm muscled in. Through the crowd, one of his compound eyes caught the glint of something metallic —a can!

He retracted his proboscis and escaped just as the spray downed the unfortunate swarm.

Thank you blog post

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

52 thoughts on “Tiny Flying Insects #flashfiction”

  1. Mabel Kwong

    I am with you on your love list and dislike list of insects. Agree insects we dislike have a part to play in our environment and contribute to sustaining it. Absolutely love your short story. Really enjoyed reading it. It is so cleverly written. I felt the use of BBQ as the name of the fly was every original and made it seem more like a friend at a BBQ than a pest to swat. And he seemed to like BBQ sausages too. Good there was a happy ending and he escaped. Great writing, Norah 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Norah Post author

      Thank you so much for you support, Mabel. I appreciate the way you analysed my story. It’s good to see which parts worked. I’m pleased you like BBQ’s name. 🙂

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    1. Norah Post author

      Yeah – just wasn’t quick enough with the can! 😂😂
      I couldn’t wait for Matilda to arrive in the post – have downloaded the Kindle version and can’t wait to start reading tonight. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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  7. Pingback: Tiny Flying Insects « Carrot Ranch Literary Community

  10. petespringerauthor

    I enjoyed this a lot. It’s fun to think of an insect character named BBQ. Flies can certainly be quite annoying for the short time that they live.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Norah Post author

      I’m not sure that I actually have any empathy for the fly. I find them rather annoying. I was just keen to write a story from another point of view. I do apologise to them though, if they encroach on my territory and I have to do away with them. I tell them they are free to be wherever they like, as long as it’s not near me! 🙂

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    1. Norah Post author

      Thank you, Patricia.There are so many wonderful bug books available. I’m sure you’ll have no trouble finding some for your great nephew. Choosing from all that are available will be the difficult bit. 🙂

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