Entry for Madison Woods‘ Friday Fictioneers. Click on her name (on Friday) to see the picture prompt for this week and read some other really great super-short stories.
Raccoon stomped down the steps to the root cellar, his mother hollering to get more carrots while he was down there.
“And a few turnips,” she said.
Raccoon stuck his tongue out and mimicked her silently. He tossed the vegetables in a basket. Movement drew his eye to the hole in the wall. Something big stumbled from the forest and walked across the field towards the house.
Raccoon recognized the filthy man. An onion grew in his throat. He took the money from his pocket and stuffed it beneath the potatoes. Trembling, he ran upstairs and hid under his bed.
A Bunch of Dumb Words in a Row 
At it again, ‘eh, Craig? I’ll get back to you after I read this again, and again, and again….:)
Aloha,
Doug
Depends what “it” is Doug. Hahhaha.
Love the continuation and the metaphor, “an onion grew in his throat.”
Your illustration is perfect!
Thanks Susie!
Craig! I loved it! As you know, i’m a huge fan of Racoon and Owl, and I loved being able to see Racoon at last. The continuation of the story is also fantastic and the “onion grew in his throat” line is one of the best metaphors for that feeling I have ever read.
One day I hope you will collect Owl and Raccoon’s entire story in a single book and sell it. I’ll be first in line for a copy.
I’m over here: http://elmowrites.wordpress.com/2012/03/09/friday-fictioneers-16/
Thanks Elmo, that is a awfully grand compliment,. cheers.
I loved the image of Racoon immitating his mother : “Raccoon stuck his tongue out and mimicked her silently.” So realistic. I agree with Elmo above, an “onion grew in his throat” is a fantastic metaphor.
Here’s mine: http://postcardfiction.com/2012/03/09/waiting/
I also loved the mimicking, what youth doesn’t mimic his mother once in a while….
Here’s mine: http://remakingme-atiyatownes.blogspot.com/2012/03/flash-fiction-is-out-and-its-chilling.html
Loved the’ onion grew in his throat’ line. Ha.
Here’s mine: http://teschoenborn.com/2012/03/09/friday-fictioneers/
So, even raccoons are rude to their mothers and belligerent when given tasks. Hmph! I really enjoy reading about your animal friends…I always look forward to reading what you will come up with next.
~Susan (Here’s mine: http://www.susanwenzel.com/)
“an onion grew in his throat” — what a seriously fantastic line. wow wow wow
I love the illustrations that accompany your story, they bring an already beautifully-written story to life in such a fresh way, separating your work from the others and generally adding extra charm.
Craig, I’m sooooo glad you added some illustrations–I loved your stories when I thought they were “real” animals but I find them even more charming now that I see the little kiddo in the raccoon pj’s (?) Adorable. Well done–I loved it.
Mine: http://www.vlgregory-circa1800.vpweb.com/blog.html.
I like your illustrations–very cool!– and of course, I love that line about the onion in the throat.:) and sticking his tongue out at his mother! Loved that! I thoroughly enjoyed reading your story! Good job!
Here is mine:
http://thewriternubbin.wordpress.com/2012/03/09/photo-prompt-for-100-word-flash-fridayfictioneers-moving-on/
Poor Racoon, I hope he can stay hidden.
Now I’m wondering if owl survived that last dangerous adventure. And that filthy man, he sounds awful. Strangely, I keep my money under the potatoes too.
Here’s mine: http://bridgesareforburning.wordpress.com/
What can I say that hasn’t already been said. I always look forward to reading your stories. Keep up the good words.
OK, the illustrations are brilliant. I hope poor Raccoon survives the filthy man, a very scary image of stumbling out of the forest. I will be catching up the rest of the adventures on this blog.
My entry is over here: http://joannakneilson.wordpress.com/2012/03/09/flash-fiction-friday-cellar-wall/
Love the illustrations and was surprised to see that raccoon is a little boy in costume or pj’s! Very nice and I hope you keep developing this one :)
Well, I don’t have a clue as to what happened in this story. Just liked the turnip line…
Miss the owl.
Here is mine: http://fictionvictimtoo.blogspot.com
Good, more Raccoon and Owl, or maybe just Raccoon this time. It’s good to get some character development in early on. Poor Raccoon – but he has lessons to learn. This is good.
I love that you’re writing more Owl and Raccoon scenes. I hope you keep telling the tale, I want to know what happens next.
mine’s here: http://threedescriptors.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/flash-fiction-15-the-invasion/
Thanks for stopping by everybody. I’ve been a bit of a bum when it comes to commenting and replying this week./ (Damn Mass Effect 3!)
I”ll try to get around to reading your stuff by the next one.
Hi Craig!
I’ve nominated you for the versatile blogger award in my post here: http://elmowrites.wordpress.com/2012/03/15/the-versatile-blogger-award/
Feel free to use or ignore as you see fit.
All the best,
E
The Curse of Mass Effect 3 seems to be affecting most of my friends right now. :D
I found the illustrations delightful, and at the same time, were this to be turned into a book, I’m not sure I would reveal their “human” nature until just about this far in. I may change my mind, but there seems to be some sort of subtext here that is bringing Raccoon a bit more into the “human” world. Or I’m just reading into it too much :D
Anyway, my drabble from last week is here: http://quillshiv.wordpress.com/2012/03/12/orientation/
Hey Quill,
I’m still not sure if they are (completely) human, I just let my illustrator do whatever he wants.