Good golly! It’s Wednesday-Friday again. Thanks to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for being the maestro that keeps our band of Friday Fictioneers in the flash fiction tent.
photo prompt by Shaktiki Sharma
Daily repaired tatters on the tents with rounds of shiny black plastic.
Adds zing he thought.
Truth be told, his circus was falling apart.
The ants protested against pulling tiny wooden carts.
The bears refused to make popcorn.
Daily missed the smell.
Last week the buffalo went on strike.
Lumbered away, grumbling, “No more bicycling for us!”
Didn’t even remove their striped overalls.
Daily had them arrested for stealing.
He had one act left.
The Flying Zambezi Brothers. Red-headed tots that
whizzed through the air without a trapeze.
“Humans are so stupid.”
Daily rubbed his wings together and smiled.
(100-words)
Up From the Ashes 
The circus sounds to be in a downward spiral. Just hope the Zambezi’s aren’t too.
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Thanks, Sandra. I decided not to kill anyone today so I think the Zambezi brothers are safe.
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Dear Lish,
Now that must’ve been some circus! I wonder how well the ants got along with the bears? Fun take on the prompt.
shalom,
Rochelle
PS Yes, humans can be stupid. 😉
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I’m glad you found the circus fun. As I told Sandra, I decided not to kill anyone today. Going on the light side. Thank you so much for reading and commenting. Have a wonderful day.
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A circus run by the critters. Doesn’t seem to be working out too well.
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As long as those Zambezi boys stick around it might just work out. Thanks, James.
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Seems I must have gone down a rabbit hole to reach a circus like this. Fun story.
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Oh, I’m so glad you thought it was fun. Went for a wee bit of whimsy this week. No stabbings or burials, gunshots or drowning.
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And I am smiling, too.
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Thanks! I’m pleased I made you happy this week. Alicia
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This might be the coolest circus I’ve ever seen. Love the image of a bear refusing to make treats. And the comment about human beings, well… I can’t say that I disagree–we can be quite dense.
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Oh! I hope it doesn’t close before you can see it! 😉 Maybe the ants and bears will come back. Thanks for the lovely comment. Much appreciated.
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Ah, I love this! Love the world you’ve woven, pulled me right into your dreams, Alicia. Gorgeous
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You are very kind, my dear. I had a lot of fun writing this. The bug reminded me of a man in a crazy tuxedo. Alicia
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I can see that – the sharp delineation of colour suggests a well cut suit. Lovely job
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I am guessing this was a flea circus and now that it’s closing the proprietor will open a market with many booths that sell antiques, knick-knacks, and paddy-whacks. Someone–please–give that dog a bone.
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Then “That old man can come rolling home…..” Thanks, Russell. I think Daily might just take you up on your suggestion.
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I absolutely loved this.
And … I loved the voice of your’n critters. Wonder how the stupid humans had to watch the ant act…
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Oh, Dale, thank you! Before I hit “Publish” I wondered if the story was too corny.
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Not even a little bit!!
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Great twist. I love where you went with this. Your story has left me imagining what other acts the circus might have 🙂
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Gosh! Wouldn’t it be fun to have 100 more words? Or 200? or…. Thanks for reading and leaving a comment.
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Love this take, excellent 🙂
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Thank you, Iain. I always appreciate your input. Cheers and have a great afternoon.
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What a charming story! Simply fabuloso!!!
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What a charming comment! I love the word fabuloso and the fact that you used in your comment. Much appreciated. Alicia
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The circus is dead. Long live the circus!
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Not dead as long as the Zambezi brothers are willing to swing from here to there. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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And welcome to our merry band of writers.
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Thank goodness for the Flying Zambezi Brothers. They saved the day. Those stupid, helpless humans. Such an imaginative take, Alicia.
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Thank you, Amy. As you know, it’s always fun to take the different elements and create a story.
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This is why I never put grasshoppers in charge of anything important 🙂 At least there are still the Zambezi brothers.
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You are a wise man. Thanks for reading my wee tale, Ali.
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I was amused by the whimsical descriptions. Hopefully the circus’ fortunes can be turned around somehow.
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If anyone can do it, Daily can. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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Aww love that last line. Nice and fun 😃
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😉 Thanks
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This conjured up some wonderful visions. Loved the ants refusing to pull wooden carts!
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I’m happy I filled your mind with a good vision or two. Thanks.
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What a varied circus that is! Or rather, was. Daily has his work cut out for him now. Fun story!
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Maybe if we keep our fingers crossed, the Daily Circus will survive. Thanks for stopping by, Joy.
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loved it. perhaps you could expand it into a short story for children.
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So Daily isn’t a human! I love this story. It’s so quirky. That last line is a treat, with him rubbing his wings together in obvious glee. I sense that those Zambesi brothers are going to come a cropper before not-too long. Brilliant stuff, Alicia.
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Thank you, Sarah!
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Wonderful piece of whimsy. I love the image of buffaloes on bicycles especially.
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Thank you, K. I had bears on bikes at first and that seemed to “normal.” I’m glad you liked the switch. Alicia
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I got right to the end of the comments, to say how I liked the buffaloes on bikes, and K Rawson just beat me to it.🙂
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The more the merrier, Michael. I’m glad you liked them. 🙂 Thank you, Alicia
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That grasshopper is a worthy director, the suit is perfect. Too bad that his circus is doing so bad. Fun story, Alicia. Err, that sounds oddly strange. 😉 And adds to the fun.
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Oddly strange is exactly what this circus is! Thank you so much for stopping by. I look forward to your comments.
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I really liked this. It’s not just fun but surreal and really imaginative. Thanks.
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You’re welcome! I glad you saw the “what?” factor in my story. I always appreciate your comments, Michael.
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Love this.. you really played with all the animals… I guess for a trapeze artist wings can be considered doping.
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That made me laugh! Thanks, Bjorn.
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The last line got me. You made me smile.
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Yeah!!!! Thanks, Dawn.
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I love the circus idea. Well told. Sounds like he might make it survive regardless of the number of acts he has
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I think he might! Thanks, Laurie
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Daily is a bit of a spiv! Lovely stuff!
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Thanks, M.J. He is a bit of a spiv!!!!
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Reminds me of Night Circus: the magic, the crazy details and twisty turns. Love it, Lish. I am constantly in wonder at how your imagination works. It’s dreamy.
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Thanks, Dawn. I’m glad you found Daily’s Circus dreamy. That’s exactly how I wanted it to be. Cheers. Lish
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