Messy nests of grasses, weeds, feathers, and hair littered the ground.
Each one held three speckled eggs.
Hundreds of long-legged, white birds filled the air with a cacophony of squawks and whistles.
Still, the men could be heard.
“The Misses would love some of them plumes for her hat.”
“My son would enjoy bathing in a tub made from the shell of that enormous tortoise.”
“By God, we could shoot thousands of these beasts and never kill them all.”
Off to the side one man sat, notepad in hand, hurriedly recording all he saw.
“Darwin, come quick. Bring your rifle!”
Not for a minute do I believe Darwin would have traveled with a group of men like this. But what if he did? Who would have won the battle between men with guns and men with deep curiosity?
Up From the Ashes 
I live in a part of the world where the most common reaction to a beautiful or unique creature is “Let’s shoot it.” Poor Darwin. Interesting use of the prompt.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I always feel sorry for “new species”. I get the feeling they’re not long for this world. Thanks for reading and commenting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That was both brilliant and disturbing. I sense your deep indignation and anger about people who despoil Nature in all her variety and beauty.
LikeLike
Oh, boy, you got that right. Once any creature is gone – it’s gone for good. Soon we’ll be stuck with concrete and glass. Thanks for stopping by to comment
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ypu really went deep with this one. Very thoughtful.
LikeLike
Thank you, Dawn. I always appreciate your comments.
LikeLike
to answer your question at the end, sadly, the men with guns hands down.
LikeLike
I know! But one can hope…..
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wish that Darwin had shot some of the men… survival of the fittest and all that. Harumph.
Randy
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me, too!!!! Thanks for that comment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Perfect story! I imagine Darwin had lots of trouble with the men travelling with him at that time, you got it right.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Scientific men traveling with rubes. Frustrating for both, I imagine.
LikeLike
A piece with a message – sadly all too realistic. Great take on the prompt.
LikeLike
Thanks, Sandra.
LikeLike
Dear Alicia,
And then we wonder why some species are endangered. Well done.
shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Endangered or just plain gone! Thanks for reading and commenting, Rochelle.
LikeLike
Dear Alicia,
This was stellar writing. Darwin lived among these people and they’re still out there doing their grim work. I really enjoyed this piece. It reminded me in a way of For a Coming Extinction by W.S. Merwin. Very well done.
Aloha,
Doug
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much, Doug. Listening to NPR lately I fear for our wolf population, although I’m not sure why I single them out. Most of our fellow creatures are in danger.
LikeLike
Great story! I get the impression that Darwin is hurriedly noting everything down because in a few minutes all the creatures will be shot dead.
LikeLike
That was kind of the message, although I’m sure they couldn’t shoot them all that fast. I’m sure they tried, though.
LikeLike
I sure hope Darwin didn’t travel with people like this. Very original story idea. Well done.
LikeLike
Caerlynn, Thanks for reading and commenting on Darwin’s Plight.
LikeLike
I think that the drawback of being more resourceful than curios.. sometimes it doesn’t even require guns.. sticks can be enough..
LikeLike
I know! Think of how many seals have been clubbed to death – or not. Thanks for reading, Bjorn.
LikeLike
You contrasted the two views very well. Charles Darwin might very well have traveled with these guys. Times were what they were and that’s all they were. Good take on the prompt, Alicia!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know! I thought about that later – he wouldn’t have traveled with them as “colleagues” but they would have been his shipmates because they sailed the ships. Indeed times were what they were. Thanks for the thoughtful reply.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sadly, I think the guns would win, Alicia. We don’t always use our brains very well. I really enjoyed your take. Nice one!
LikeLike
Guns do seem to win, don’t they? Sad, but true.
LikeLike
I always thought the American Indians had it right. They honored the sacrifice of animals they ate and respected them as a sustainable resource. The white man’s motto was “if it”s brown, it’s going down.” Great story this week. Very thought provoking.
LikeLiked by 1 person
American Indians had it right, didn’t they? Thanks for that thought.
LikeLike
They’re everywhere – the shooters, catchers and trappers. It’s so sad. Thank you for your story. Great snippets of dialogue which show the short-sightedness of the human race – mostly.
Marg.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you enjoyed the dialogue. I tried hard to not make it too “comical”. Alicia
LikeLike
An interesting thought. Clever piece of scene setting here.
LikeLike
Thanks!
LikeLike
very clever take on the photo! very impressive considering the difficult prompt.
LikeLike
Thanks, KZ. It was an odd one, yes?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love where you went with this most difficult prompt! You’ve reminded us of man’s vicious nature, that’s for sure! 😀
LikeLike
Thanks!!!
LikeLike
A vivid story. Unfortunately, I think a lot of the early exploration was like that. Nobody dreamed humans could have such an impact until they saw the disappearance of the dodo, the passenger pigeon, the rapid decline in whale populations, near extinction of the bison, and so on.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Then, it still didn’t matter. We keep on keepin’ on. Must do some exploring of my own before all those beauties are gone. (A wee pessimistic, yes?)
LikeLike
What an intriguing idea, Alicia! I love the idea of Darwin stuck with these buffoons, and faced with his way or theirs. I love the descriptive opening; I could see, hear and feel the place. Nice job!
LikeLike
Although I added a disclaimer at the end I think he did have to travel with buffoons. Who else would sail those ships (maybe not ALL were buffoons.) Thanks for taking time to read this.
LikeLike
Actually, he might very well have traveled with a few of that kind. The supremacy of man was indisputable at the time.
LikeLike
I beat he did. Ah, well. I think man still thinks he’s supreme. Thanks for commenting.
LikeLike
I think Darwin would have found those guys very low on the evolutionary scale.
LikeLike
Survival of the fittest and all that. Thanks for commenting!
LikeLike
Birds of the feather, flock together. Whatever that means! 🙂 It reminds me of all the Canada geese on the river.
Lily
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! ’tis the season for the great goose migration. We get lots on the lake that is near us. What river are you speaking of?
LikeLike
Oh dear, you just know it’s the end of another couple of species with the line ‘we could shoot thousands of these beasts and never kill them all.” Man can be so arrogant. I enjoyed the momentary look at the beautiful world you created from the prompt.
LikeLike
So true, Sarah Ann. Man is both wonderful and …. So glad you read Darwin’s Plight and took the time to comment.
LikeLike
Poor Darwin…I think he really is the odd man out in this party.
LikeLike
You got that right. Thanks for commenting!
LikeLike
A thought to delve on ….. friend, 🙂
LikeLike
Yes! Thanks for “looking back”.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think this is a very inspired brilliant piece of writing showing empathy with all wild creatures who have no defence against the blood-thirsty killers you describe. This reminds me of two friends who live nearby. One is a shooter who kills game for sport. The other is a photographer who shoots and respects wild life for love. Well written my friend ~
LikeLike
John, what a wonderful comparison. I’ve never understood shooting for sport. Thanks for going back to read this!
LikeLike