Two for the price of one!

Keith's Ramblings

For Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers photo prompt.

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As I was away sunning myself in Italy last week I wasn’t able to participate, so I thought I’d post two stories this time round! The first is new, but the second is one I wrote for Friday Fictioneers back in 2017..

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We are so misunderstood. We really don’t mean to frighten you.

Obviously flies and mosqitoes are scared of us, but I need to eat just like you. You have butchers shops, I have a web.

You have no idea how difficult weaving a web is.  Round and round and round, I get very dizzy. Thank goodness I have eight legs, I can’t imagine attempting it with just two!

Some of you are arachnophobic, most of us a humaphobic; we have feelings too you know.

We’d make great pets if only you’d give us the chance. Embrace us don’t chase us!

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As night drapes a blanket of darkness over a slumbering world, I slink away into the stillness of the street. I hear the rustle of fallen leaves, the rattle of a discarded can cartwheeling along the gutter. 

I spin my head toward a screeching owl for I am not alone on my nightly journey. I turn again as a fox skips from one overfilled dustbin to another. A bat swoops. Fluttering moths frantically circle a street lamp. 

A spider weaves a web with which to harvest the flying fruits of dawn.

We are the creatures of the night. Our night. Ours.

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Click Froggie to discover what others have written.

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PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

45 thoughts on “Two for the price of one!”

  2. rochellewisoff Jun 19, 2024 / 12:53

    Dear Keith,

    When it comes to pets, I’ll take a dog or a cat, thankyouverymuch. 😉 Count me among the arachnophobes. I agree with Neil, the repeat was worth a second go round. I missed you and enjoyed both of your stories.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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  6. Maria Michaela Jun 19, 2024 / 13:30

    Beautifully woven, Keith. Spiders are misunderstood creatures indeed. I learned to be scared of them as my brothers used to play with them when we were kids. Tarantulas are another thing. I’m sorry, I don’t care to understand them 😅

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    • Keith's Ramblings Jun 20, 2024 / 16:50

      There’s one watching me as I write this so I’d better be careful what I say. Not a tarantula, fortunately!

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  7. Dale Jun 19, 2024 / 13:48

    An enjoyable duo, Keith. Hope you had a wonderful time.

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  8. Suzette Benjamin Jun 19, 2024 / 15:46

    Thank you Keith for the two story installment. Both are magical reminders, I think of the value of the life that is all around…if one happens to spot them that is.

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  9. Sandra Jun 19, 2024 / 15:59

    A ‘twofer’ this week. You won’t win me round on spiders. I appear to be good spider fodder and have the scars to prove it.

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  10. James McEwan Jun 19, 2024 / 20:05

    Some people do have pet Tarantulas, more as a talking point rather than as cuddly furry friend. Not for me.

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  13. elmowrites Jun 20, 2024 / 16:49

    I enjoyed both, although very different feels to them. I like the spider – I’ll let him keep his freedom but he can live rent-free in my home as long as he keeps on top of the mosquito population.

    Recovering arachniphobe,

    Jen

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  14. Brenda's Thoughts Jun 20, 2024 / 21:50

    Sunning in Italy sounds fantastic, Keith.  I hope you had a wonderful time.  The first story is very cute.  I love the POV of the spider: humanphobic.  The second story is my favorite with its eerie feel.  Well done!

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  15. michael1148humphris Jun 20, 2024 / 23:18

    Two interesting snippets that I enjoyed , It was good to hear the spiders point of view,

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  16. Dawn M. Miller Jun 21, 2024 / 00:21

    No to spiders! I am uncomfortably allergic and have no use for them, although I did enjoy their POV. 😉

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  17. Alicia Jamtaas Jun 21, 2024 / 01:44

    Both stories were a fun read. I agree with Brenda. The first from the POV of the spider was delightful. I don’t mind spiders at all even though they like chomping on me every now and again. And the second was indeed eerie. Well done on both.

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    • Keith's Ramblings Jun 21, 2024 / 12:32

      Chomping on you – I’m not sure I’d like that to happen to me! Thanks so much, Alicia

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  18. Margaret Jun 21, 2024 / 09:09

    I was all set to reconsider my aversion to spiders after your first story, but the second one brought it all back. Two good ones, Keith.

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  19. Angela Adams Jun 21, 2024 / 12:43

    Two enjoyable stories! I appreciate spiders, but certain ones still make me nervous…

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  20. granonine Jun 22, 2024 / 16:29

    Spiders are quite low on the food chain, but I still can’t say I have warm feelings for them 🙂

    I remember the second story, which has a whole different feel from the first.

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  21. msjadeli Jun 22, 2024 / 19:36

    Double delight, Keith, with the first an honest plea and the second spooky with the creatures who own the night. Really love the sensory imagery in the 2nd one. The song, “Music of the Night” comes to mind.

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  22. authorfleurl Jun 23, 2024 / 03:17

    Awww power to the creepy spider! Lovely story…and I’ve just thought of another story about a spider…that’ll make 3!!

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  23. GHLearner Jun 23, 2024 / 21:24

    Two great stories this week, what fun. I’ve learned to like spiders, I rescue them, admire them, read up about them. But please, keep the big, hairy kind away from me. Far away…

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