
Written as part of a challenge called Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers, details are available at https://flashfictionforaspiringwriters.wordpress.com/2016/07/25/fffaw-challenge-week-of-july-26-2016/
Jonathan had finished installing the final tripwire. The electric fence had been burrowed underneath. Scent markers, mole repellents, harsh chemicals, bundles of human hair, everything short of armed combat has led to rows of plants dissapearing overnight.
“Eden was populated by a snake. The snake simply made us suffer but left the food alone! He did not seem to believe destroying all food sources was appropriate. Save a single apple! These horrific beasts…..these horrific spawn…I don’t know if I need to use silver tips to defend my garden.” Jonathan stares out along the perimeter. His long rifle would do just fine, but the bleeding hearts that eat from the grocery oppose this idea with laws. “Let the varmints take away their can opener! Chew the compressor out of their fridges!”
He looks at the harvest wheelbarrow, empty. He sighs. “It was a work of love. There is no share with these critters. They take and take. Why can’t they understand a little is OK?! They know no limits!” The one groundhog looks at his friend.
His empty eyes looks at all the food for just him alone. He never appreciates the hard work done to loosen the soil. Last time it was sharp rocks under the fence. Then the electric fence. Poison that bleed into his good as well. Noises to scare them off. They were under attack. The farmer stole their families home. Then locked them out.
The rivals locked in a fierce struggle. The outcome will never completely be said. Just escalating tactics.
“I’ll harpon which ever ones of you dare step here.” Jonathan steps off the board. He hears a thud. His shin burns. He set off his own trap. This time it’s a bruise.
I also like how you present both sides. Varmints are pesky, but they have their reasons too!
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It’s always fun to throw in another side. I have experience with varmints. As much as I don’t mind them eating some, they tend to forget we need to eat too.
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we do all need to eat:)
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We have flower eating chipmunks, tomato eating groundhogs, sunflower eating rabbits, but what the hey — we did kinda move in on them. But I took a completely different turn with my story. Good one.
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I’ll have to take a look. I have a mom turkey staring at me through a window due to lack of food in bird feeder! She has babies, but leaves them in the woods.
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Ground hog vs. The farmer. Fighting for survival of their families both. What’s too much to a groundhog? Why does the farmer hurt them, so.? What’s a little to the farmer? Do they define ‘a little’ the same?
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Animals raiding a garden aren’t good at a little measuring. Sometimes they take out whole rows in an evening. Of course, the farmer has his unseen family too. It’s good vs evil
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Hehe I know. My Grandma always complained about the birds. Of course, I had two dogs who adored peas and would both eat any they could reach. My first dog a chihuahua cross, loved baby carrots and dug them up, leaving the neat little tops. Not only the garden animals to worry about, but pets too if you’re not careful 🙂
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I have a wild turkey with babies which means my first year grape harvest that should feed two people had ten mouths to feed. 😉
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Ahh, I like how you present both sides. Farmer against the gluttonous vermin. Groundhogs against the murderous thief. Very intriguing! Too bad the farmer set off his own trap, probably hurting all of them.
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There’s always two sides and man is a victim of his own devices when it comes to fighting nature
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Very wise words. And yep, always two sides, but those sides aren’t always shown or acknowledged. Good job!
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Thank you. Crisis especially needs a friend
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Poor guy! The groundhogs are eating all his food! This means, WAR! And, it seems he can’t get ahead in his garden endeavors. Great story, Mark!
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I live inside the war zone of man versus nature. Critters start cute, but don’t stay that way
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Hahahaha! That is very true! LOL!!
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Personal experience always helps with storyline.
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Yes! I completely agree!
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Sounds like hard times are coming.
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For one side is always hard times coming. The one is outnumbered so is are against him.
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Surprising how much it takes to protect a ‘crop’
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It’s a battle of wills really
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