Copyright – Roger Bultot
“Just look!” Neville beamed, arms outspread. “What we’ve achieved!”
From this vantage point, Andrew saw their city with renewed appreciation. He stood taller, planted his feet more firmly, proud of his role in keeping it secure from infiltration.
“This rooftop is Risk Category 1,” Neville continued, turning to the task at hand. “Overgrown, overlooked for years. They’ll be here.”
They advanced towards the door, watchful, cautious. Suddenly Neville lunged to the ground, then stood, holding aloft his net and its cargo: a tiny, squirming, squealing humanoid, clutching a shred of beanstalk.
“One more for the flourmill,” smiled Andrew.
*****
Here’s an interesting annotated version of the fairy tale.
Copyright – Paul Woodroffe and reproduced on www.surlalunefairytales.com
Once again, my 100 word story is for Friday Fictioneers, a flash fiction website hosted and maintained by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields, where writers contribute stories in response to a weekly photo prompt. You can read the other stories here.
Onto the page 
Poor Jack. That was a really different take on the photo prompt, Margaret. Well done.
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Poor Jack indeed. Thanks for your lovely comment, Sandra.
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Not one to try on the grandchildren. A good story for grown-ups though.
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Definitely M rated, as the original fairy tales should have been. I heard an item on the radio this morning where it was suggested that many traditional nursery songs and rhymes could have originated as pub drinking songs which the fathers adapted for their children. I think the same might apply to fairy tales. Thanks for your feedback, JS.
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I smell the blood of Englishmen…. bread and dead.
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Gory, isn’t it? I wonder if the giants prefer wholemeal, sourdough or white.
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This was great. I hadn’t even realized that this is a rooftop. What a turn on the fairy tale.
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It’s a tricky picture. The perspective isn’t easy to work out, but the overgrown rooftop jumped out at me. Thank you for your encouraging comment, Gah. I’m glad you liked the story.
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Dear Margaret,
Fee Fi Fo Fum this was a clever take on the prompt. (I never claimed to be a poet 😉 ) Good job.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Fum Fi Fo Fee
Your poetry’s alright with me.
Fee Fum Fi Fo
Your comment leaves me all aglow.
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Oh, this was excellent! Creepy, as every fairy tale should be. 😀
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It is gruesome, isn’t it? It’s a wonder we don’t all grow up with PTSD. Thank you for your wonderful feedback; I’m glad you enjoyed my story.
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What a delightful surprise ending. Great take on the prompt.
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Thank you, Alicia. I’m glad you were surprised.
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Reclaiming fairy tales for grown-ups – I like it!
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Thank you, MJL. I’m glad you liked it.
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They do need to Jack up their fiber intake. Clever take on the prompt.
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Ha! Funny. Thanks for commenting, subroto.
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Your story put a smile on my face. This is a twist on a favorite children tale I often read to my children. I wonder if they were effected by the Fe Fi Fo Fum of the giant? Mmmm … must ask !!! LOL
Nicely done …
Isadora 😎
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I’m glad to have made you smile. I wonder how any of us got through our childhoods intact when you consider the violence and horror of the fairy tales we read or listened to. Who knows what damage is there, beneath the surface. Maybe kids are tougher than we think. Thank you for responding, Isadora.
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Nice, those giants are getting quite cunning!
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They’ve learned what to expect, I guess. Thanks for your comment.
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Nice, Margaret! The sense of future and sci-fi is palpable from the first line, and yet very believable. Great pacing and dialogue.
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Oh good. I wanted to blend a futuristic feeling with a fairy tale story, so I’m happy that’s how it worked for you. Thank you for the encouraging and detailed comment, Dawn.
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These must be selling the flour labelled “gluten-free” ? Nice take on a fairy tale.
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Yep. Gluten free and high calcium content – very nourishing. Thanks for the comment, Ansumani.
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all’s well that didn’t end well. 😦
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It ended very badly for all the tiny beanstalk climbers, but they were bent on theft and pillage anyway, so what did they expect?
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Ah, the story told from the giant’s point of view. In this case though, he was prepared. Well done, Margaret. 🙂 — Suzanne
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It’s always best to know both sides of a story, I believe. Thanks very much, Suzanne.
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