I’m a bit late to the party, but I needed to have a discussion with a rather large friend in order to get his ideas about the way things are progressing in his pod. We shared mackerel paste and tea. I’ve narrowed down his diatribe to 100-words.Thanks to Ted Strutz and Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for this week’s photo prompt – the ferry to San Juan Island, I believe.
I want nothing from you nor do I need to give you anything.
Let me be and in turn, I will avoid you.
Our kind has plowed these waters for hundreds of years, moving in groups or alone.
Your kind stalks us in boats, turns us into piles of bones and barrels of oil.
You show no mercy.
You slaughter pregnant females and babies.
Our males are scarred by your explosive harpoons.
Now is the time to enjoy our beauty, listen to our songs, learn from us.
Or just leave us alone.
Do it!
Do it now!
Before time runs out.
Up From the Ashes 
A sad, sound story Alicia. Yes, we’ve plundered the seas for too long, taken too little care. Let’s hope we can change. Nicely done
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You’re so right! I googled the Japan whale take this year. 300 some odd whales killed for “scientific study” although the meat goes to market. A picture showed a whale and her calf being drug onto the ship by their tales. Very sad. Thanks for reading.
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I’m not generally a fan of talking animals. But for this I’ll make an exception
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Ha! I hadn’t thought of it that way. But of course, you’re right. I’ve taken this ferry many times and seen whales maybe once. That’s what brought this story to mind. So glad you stopped by.
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the animals weren’t really tallking. You were
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I love how you have let the whale do the telling… a sad fact how we have treated our gentle giants…
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Thanks, Bjorn! I saw a slideshow about two months ago produced by a couple who traveled the Scotia Arc. Their group stopped at an old whaling station – I can’t remember exactly where – and the statistics on the number of whales processed at that spot made me cringe.
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Dear LIsh,
Like Neil, I’m not a huge fan of talking animals. It often doesn’t work and becomes trite and, if you will, just plain goofy. I’m happy to say that yours did not. It packed a wallop besides. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, Rochelle. I’m all over that “No talking animals thing!” I’m glad you read the story all the way to the end.
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I was going to echo Neil but Rochelle already did and I have to agree, I didn’t even think of this as talking animals… but the message is loud and clear and beautifully done.
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Ah, shucks, Dale. What a lovely thing to say. Thanks very much.
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Your “giant friend” had me wondering. But you delivered with a great payoff. Nice!
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Thanks very much!
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Sometimes I feel sad for the whole ocean,
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I guess I’m in the minority, but I think the seas have a lot more to offer us than we imagine. Of course, with that comes the responsibility of making our natural resources, like we do on land.
Nice poem and wonderfully done, appropriate message. 🙂
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Oh, boy, me too! Thanks, Michael.They’re discovering new things all the time. I do hope we learn to manage them and the things we already know about in order to allow everything to survive. Thanks for spreading hope!
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That should be managing, not making.
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🙂
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I could almost see the whales diving and smashing the water with their tails 🙂
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Thank you! I believe they have every right to be angry. I appreciate your stopping by. I still have mackerel paste if you’d like some. 😉
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Yes! I love this. Give the whales a voice.
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Thanks! I do think they’re talking to us – we just don’t listen.
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So many animals in the sea and on the land hunted to (near) extinction. Nicely done!
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Gosh! And so many gone… Thanks for reading. I always appreciate it.
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if whales can talk… this is just sad.
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Thanks! Sorry to bring another downer to FF! I’m glad you stopped by.
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While reading the comments I remember seeing photos of huge piles of buffalo bones. The entire species practically wiped out for their hides. We do it on land, at sea, and in the air. If there’s a dollar to be made from fish or fowl, man will do his damnest to get every last dime. Well written, Lish.
*Personally, I enjoy talking animals. 🙂
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Crazy white men tried to kill all the buffalo so they could get rid of all the Indians. What a plan! Thanks. (My kitty says “Hi!” 🙂 )
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Back to cannibalism in few decades. (I wonder?)
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Gosh, I sure hope not.Yikes. We may all need to become vegetarians. Thanks for reading and leaving a comment.
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An interesting conversation, indeed! 🙂
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The mackerel paste and tea helped. Thanks, Jellico. And thanks for following my blog. I appreciate it.
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You’re welcome, dear. I finally got around to doing some maintenance on my blog. Now, to try to get the durn blue frog thing to work. grrr…it’s given me grief for ever so long.
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I enjoyed your new way of approaching the writing of this story. I thought it was clever. It had a much more powerful punch. Sad … the way we’re destroying everything. Well written, Alicia. Hopefully, changes will begin.
Isadora 😎
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I’m glad you liked the style of this. One can only hope things will begin to change, sooner than later. Have a lovely weekend.
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That was a punch in gut. Such sadness beautifully written.
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Thank you very much.
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This is the one leaving San Juan Island. When are you guys going to get on that ferry and come visit me?
Heartfelt story.
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Soon. Did I tell you that Dawn Landau and I are now in a critique group? She and I, if she could EVER stop flittering around, should come visit you. Wouldn’t that be fun? I’ll make a note right now and contact her…. Will keep you posted.
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That would be a lot of fun. I could come to B’ham too, but then you two would miss the beautiful ferry ride.
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What a brilliant way to tell a story. Excellent.
My story – ‘An empty bottle’
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Thanks very much, Keith.
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Yes! Let’s just leave them alone! Wonderful! :o)
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I’m glad you liked it! Thank you.
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Great plea and they need to be heard, as you say, before it’s too late. Nicely done
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Thanks, Michael.
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When humans come everything else has to give way. I can sit here safely and lament, now that the buffalo’s gone.
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Sad but true.
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This could be a metaphor for so many things.
I enjoy stories that make you think a bit.
Thank you.
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You’re certainly welcome Thank YOU for a lovely comment.
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Oh, that yearly slaughter is terrible. ‘Scientific study’ is an excuse pure and simple. It’s sickening. Good writing, Alicia. —- Suzanne
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This prayer has been said many times. Indeed let’s hope it is heard before it’s too late.
Such a strong matter-of-fact voice your whale has, evoking strong emotions.
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I love this point of view – and now we’re killing them with plastic disguised as food.
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I’m glad you found the POV compelling. Thanks very much.
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I love the line ‘Now is the time to enjoy our beauty, listen to our songs, learn from us.’ So very true.
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Thanks very much, Clare.
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Beautiful. I just saw a terrible video where a whale died after ingesting a pile of plastic. We need to respect these majestic creatures.
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Yes, we do. Thanks so much for reading.
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Daaaaang. There’s a LOT of emotion here. Quite well done, mi lady!
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What a lovely thing to say! Thanks, kind sir.
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Indeed. I can hear the anguished cries. Well told
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Thanks, Laurie.
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Sad but true. Yes, one day we will leave them alone and only listen to their songs. Of that I am certain 🙂
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Hold that thought – it’s a good one. Thanks for reading!
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