Photo prompt courtesy of Janet Webb
I know they talk about me. They’re pathetic. Waddling, broody old birds—fluffed up and self-righteous, huddled in cackling, gossiping groups on the beach while the kids are swimming—until I arrive, and there’s an icy silence.
Well they don’t bother me. They think life’s an easy downhill glide but I know better. You take what you can get and you pebble your own nest, so to speak.
My future’s secure and my children come home to the best roost in the neighbourhood. And I’ve got their men to thank for it. Let them brood on that.
*****
I came across some startling information while I was browsing for a story idea about pebbles and nests. I couldn’t resist. This Wikipedia article explains it all, if you’re wondering.
And just for sheer delight, have a look at this video. It doesn’t touch on the disgraceful extra-marital shenanigans explained in the above article, but it does show an example of my penguin character’s ‘pebble your own nest’ attitude. It’s the cutest thing.
Once again, this story is for Friday Fictioneers, a flash fiction link-up hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. You can find all the other 100 word stories here.
Onto the page 
Oooo love the last line… Hidden revenge or secrets better kept?
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A little of both perhaps. Those penguin pairs take turns going out to find food, so while the lady’s away …
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Nice work, love a good penguin tale, fascinating birds.
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They are fascinating. And so funny. Glad you like the story – thank you, Iain.
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You’re right – that was an interesting link. 🙂 I used to have a basket of pebbles on my coffee table, but I swear I didn’t get them that way. 🙂 I loved the voice of the narrator. Well within herself, I think the northern saying goes.
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‘Well within herself’ sounds just right for my flirtatious penguin. And I believe you about your basket of stones. I’m glad the voice came out alright. I played around with it, thinking I could get a ‘waspish’ tone and tick another box in using the prompt, but decided that would be overkill – so I appreciate your observation. Thanks, Sandra.
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I like the grumbling tone of the penguin. Love a bit of anthropomorphism!
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Thanks, Clare. I’m sure animals are more like us than we think. A series of pet dogs have convinced me.
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She did what she had to do…
Those penguins, who’d’a thought 🙂
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She’s just following her natural drives, I guess. Nature produces some very inventive methods of survival, and sometimes I think there must have been some comedy writers involved in devising the instructions.
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I like the idea of comedy writers just scrambling the scripts a bit.
Life can feel so much like a no win situation.
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It sure does feel that way sometimes. Now I understand – scrambled scripts!
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Dear Margaret,
A delightfully unique take on the prompt. I enjoyed the video as well.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m glad you liked the video. Those penguins are so funny, and so well synchronised it almost seems choreographed. Thank you for your lovely comment, Rochelle.
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Love how you draw such a narrative from those penguins… this could be so much like some humans…
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Thank you, Bjorn. I had fun with this one.
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You tell ’em sister!
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She’s a survivor – she does what needs to be done.
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Heheh, that penguin video is too cute. I didn’t know that about the penguins, but knew about the bonobo sex trade. They are a lusty lot. Better to steal a pebble than throwing someone else’s eggs out, as cuckoos do, I say. Which kind of bring us back to the point. Great story, you got the tone just right. Human or bird, could be both and I perceived the waspishness from the other birds, not so much the narrator.
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It’s such a funny video. I’ve watched it three or four times and chuckled each time. Animal behaviour is full of surprises, isn’t it? Fascinating. I’m really happy with your comment about the tone and characters. I started out not wanting to show that they’re penguins until the end, but changed my mind and decided not to try too hard to conceal it. Thanks for your encouraging comment, Gabriele.
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what a pleasant take on the prompt. well done. 🙂
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Great voice, human or bird works either way. Ah those penguins!
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