A tiny tale …

for Six Sentence Stories where the given word is Service.

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road-rage.regular

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sxtock-vector-angry-preacher-holding-bible-and-pointing-at-congregation-priest-86967529It’s the Sunday morning service and as the faithful few conclude their random rendition of All Things Bright and Beautiful, Miss Pargiter massages her aching fingers having endured another battle with the wheezing church organ.

Standing in his pulpit, the Reverend Caruthers silently surveys the congregation which braces itself in nervous anticipation. 

“Beware the temptations of the flesh” he suddenly hisses, then as the veins in his forehead begin to bulge, he explodes, spitting like a venomous snake. 

“Fornication, drunkenness; let not Satan determine your destiny for the wages of sin are certain death”

Farmer Fred visibly shrinks in his pew, as three rows back, Postmistress Poppy’s cheeks glow crimson.

After ten minutes of pointing, thumping, and ranting, the sermon is over and Miss Pargiter valiantly attempts to accompany the final rousing hymn, Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin.

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39 thoughts on “A tiny tale …

  1. UP's avatar UP March 25, 2021 / 19:03

    havent’t seen you in a while. glad you’re here. good job on this one. oh, and wheezing church organ….is there any other type?

    • Keith's Ramblings's avatar Keith's Ramblings March 26, 2021 / 11:18

      Nice to back, it’s been a while since we bumped into each other!

  2. Susan St.Pierre's avatar Susan St.Pierre March 25, 2021 / 20:49

    A delightfully vivid scene. Left me wanting the whole story… 🙂

  3. messymimi's meanderings's avatar messymimi's meanderings March 25, 2021 / 23:09

    Oh, my. What ever happened to encouragement and stirring one another up to love and good works?

    Great six, i am so glad you participated.

    • Keith's Ramblings's avatar Keith's Ramblings March 26, 2021 / 11:08

      Good to back, it’s been a while! This priest’s more into dread and fear!

  4. Doug Jacquier's avatar Doug Jacquier March 25, 2021 / 23:34

    Ah, yes, that’s the way to keep the congregation coming back. 😉

  5. Sadje's avatar Sadje March 26, 2021 / 01:41

    Great story Keith.

      • Sadje's avatar Sadje March 26, 2021 / 11:17

        You’re welcome 😉

  6. GirlieOnTheEdge's avatar GirlieOnTheEdge March 26, 2021 / 03:58

    Great to read you at the Six Keith.
    Opening and closing of the service sounded like what you’d expect but the sermon? Yikes! What ever happened to sleepy Sunday church services? 😀

    • Keith's Ramblings's avatar Keith's Ramblings March 26, 2021 / 10:56

      Great to take part, I’ve been meaning to hop aboard for ages! No chance of nodding off during his services!

  7. Zelda Rene's avatar Zelda Rene March 26, 2021 / 07:34

    I prophesy this cleric’s congregation will diminish. Great story.

    • Keith's Ramblings's avatar Keith's Ramblings March 26, 2021 / 10:54

      It may well do, but I imagine some will dread the cosequences of not attending! Thanks so much Zelda.

      • Zelda Rene's avatar Zelda Rene March 26, 2021 / 10:56

        Well, there’s always online church 🙂

      • Zelda Rene's avatar Zelda Rene March 26, 2021 / 12:02

        It works well for me 🙂

  8. ceayr's avatar ceayr March 26, 2021 / 12:00

    C’mon, Keith, nothing wrong with a wee bit houghmagandie.
    Postmistresses are people too, y’know!

  9. Chris Hall's avatar Chris Hall March 26, 2021 / 13:51

    Splendid, Keith! I want to know more about the folk in this village. There’s bound to be some dark doings going on… 😉

  10. hilarymb's avatar hilarymb March 26, 2021 / 16:14

    Hi Keith – fun take of tiny tales … delightful to read … making me laugh. Poor Miss Pargeter – I can feel for her … my fingers ached after those early typing days … but at least I didn’t have the wheeze of the organ to contend with. A couple of days and we’ll be happier and warmer I hope – all the best Hilary

    • Keith's Ramblings's avatar Keith's Ramblings March 27, 2021 / 14:21

      Typewriters were hard work! Delighted to have amused you Hilary.

  11. D. Avery @shiftnshake's avatar D. Avery @shiftnshake March 26, 2021 / 21:55

    And this is why I don’t attend church.
    You brought the Reverend to life, even the last name Caruthers seemed to fit and shape him, cutting, sharp.

  12. The Vintage Toy Advertiser's avatar The Vintage Toy Advertiser March 27, 2021 / 17:41

    Love the pointed characters and their traditional job roles – all assembled in that church service. I half imagine a sleepyish village murder to come, or a very dark episode of Postman Pat 🙂

    • Keith's Ramblings's avatar Keith's Ramblings March 28, 2021 / 14:42

      You could well be right! Thanks so much for dropping by.

  13. Liz H's avatar Liz H March 27, 2021 / 19:12

    Vividly described, transgressions implied. The preacher may bluster, but the writer sees all.
    Well done!

  14. Frank Hubeny's avatar Frank Hubeny March 27, 2021 / 22:52

    Sometimes people need a good lecture from the pulpit.

  15. clark's avatar clark March 28, 2021 / 12:35

    Keith…yo!
    (lol long time no vidi, droog)
    Enjoyable scene… the fun of this Six Sentence format is not merely to craft a scene, but to do so in a manner that lets us Readers feeling the un-bending wood pews press on vertebrae and words of the self-designated moral leaders burn our ears.
    ‘cellent Six

    • Keith's Ramblings's avatar Keith's Ramblings March 28, 2021 / 14:11

      Hey, great to see you again! It’s been a while. Thanks for your insightful comment. Amen!

  16. zoe's avatar zoe March 28, 2021 / 17:23

    That was great…brings up memories of an old classic movie….I can just visualize it all happening in black and white in their Sunday best!

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