I was jogging down Main Street, when my life changed forever. I had just settled into a comfortable pace when it happened. The world erupted in light and swirling colors.
Disoriented, I stopped. Main Street had disappeared! At first I thought maybe I was ill from the exertion, but I hadn't even broken a sweat yet. Checking out my surroundings, I saw that I stood in a large meadow. It was picture perfect! There was even a mighty oak tree for shade and climbing, and a small lake fed by a peaceful stream.
To my right, far in the distance, there was a city. Could that be a castle in the middle of those skyscrapers?!?! Even from this distance I could see that the strange city was a magnificent blend of architectural styles.
To my left, there was a well maintained road leading into a dense forest. There weren't any signs, but I felt a sense of safety. The road was wide and the gravel smooth. There were even paths on both sides for walking and biking.
Straight ahead there was a massive body of water, perhaps an ocean? It was apparent that the city was close to it, they probably had a port. I was in awe, but I had to get home. I looked in back, somehow expecting to see Main Street.
Instead, I saw a paved road. One fork of it led towards the gravel road into the wilderness. Upon looking closer I noticed that it was indeed connected. The other fork went towards the city. The third option appeared to go out amongst farmland. There was no sign of Main Street.
How I wished that I had wings! It would surely take days to reach the city, where I could hopefully get some answers. Daydreaming about this for a second, I began to move my feet. They were clumsy, probably from my shock. I shook the feeling off, and tried to begin a slow jog.
My feet tangled together, and I pitched forward. Trying to catch myself, I spread out a wing. A wing??? I closely examined it. It was mostly grey. As it turned out, I had another one to match it, instead of arms.
Quickly I walked (or waddled) over to the lake, to check out my reflection. Instead, I saw a pigeon looking back at me! I'm a pigeon? Well I did wish for wings.
I decided to try something else. I daydreamed about being swift and sleek, able to run like the wind. A cheetah peered up, mirroring my movements. I then daydreamed about being a man, just like before. Seconds later I saw my own face.
This has to be a dream! I thought about that and it appealed to me. Smiling, I changed myself back into a bird. Who would turn down the chance to fly like a bird!!!
After some experimenting, I managed to take to the air. It's not as easy as it looks! Somehow I managed to gain altitude. The view, through my new eyes, was incredible.
I made a beeline for the city. It didn't take too long, or at least it didn't feel like it did. I was having fun! I circled the entire city from high above. Just as I thought, there was a castle and a port. The watercraft looked like they had arrived from every age including the age of exploration, and also every country imaginable. Some looked like what I would expect on taking a trip to see the ocean in my own world. Some I didn't recognize. Others looked like they might be from the future.
I decided to land in a large park. Remaining a pigeon, just in case the inhabitants weren't friendly seemed wise. The few who were there looked normal. I waddled along, nobody paying the slightest attention.
Crossing a bridge, I was deep in thought. Where am I? This place is so different, and yet parts of the society are obviously from my world. I decided to try to get close to someone. Maybe I would get some clues by eavesdropping.
"The fireworks will start in an hour!" Exclaimed a teenage girl to a small boy. He smiled. I decided to stay with them. They weren't threatening, and apparently lived in this world. I was becoming more hopeful, but decided that it was a good idea to remain cautious.
When the two youngsters strolled towards the picnic tables I flew over to meet them. Laughing, they gave me bits of bread. I wasn't really hungry, but I ate it and entertained them.
As promised, an hour later there was a fireworks display. They were like nothing I had seen before! The colors were more vivid, and they formed into vibrant, detailed flowers as they expanded. I took to the air for a "bird's eye view".
Incredible! I have never seen anything like it. Maybe it won't hurt to stay in this world a little while longer...
This is a 100% power up post! Edit: It will be when I find out where that option went!!!
Note: If you are curious about how this began, read https://peakd.com/@wrestlingdesires/the-coin
Image used with permission. Full credit goes to https://noise.cash/u/photography - please show the photographer some love!
#fiction #writing #inkwellprompt #theinkwell
You take us on a wonderful excursion here. It is a blend of two prompts, Main Street and Fireworks. Well done. You probably have anticipated the following remark: What explains this extraordinary experience? It would be more satisfying to the reader to have a hint about an explanation. Still, a gratifying read.
Thank you for engaging with your fellow authors. This helps our community thrive, and also makes you eligible to be chosen for a spotlight in our weekly highlights magazine. Thank you!
It's my pleasure :) Our poor jogger friend had no clue, and as it was written from his point of view, we may never know!
I plan to have a browse around other stories in a few minutes, I love the writing I have encountered so far!
My best guess is that it went flying with the pigeons. Maybe it's a sign that you should have stayed in that World a little longer. 😂
Loved the read btw!
Greetings, @wrestlingdesires. This imaginative story satisfies a human feeling of flying and allows us to see the world from the birds' point of view, for which we are grateful.
As I understand it, its open-ended nature connects it to the one you posted six days ago in the community and makes it eligible for a "this story will be continued " type of ending.
While we recognise the enjoyment of reading you, we must remind you that our community is dedicated to short stories, with a beginning, a middle and an end, we do not sponsor serialised ones.
Thank you for publishing the product of your imagination, that's very good.
Thank you for the kind words :)
I was told it was welcome if it could be read as a standalone story? If not, I won't blend them any more, extremely sorry for any misunderstanding :( When my imagination does this, it's difficult to stop (but I am willing to)
Hi @wrestlingdesires. It's fine if there's a thread across stories that connects them. As @gracielaacevedo said, one key is that a "story" has a beginning, middle and an end. So you're right that an ongoing story is okay if it works as a standalone story. Typically this involves introducing the character(s) and a conflict, and then resolving the conflict by the end. This determines whether the reader must have read a previous installment to fully experience this one.
In this case, we don't meet the narrator. We don't know if it's a man or woman, young or old, or anything about the person's station in life. And the end of your story does not resolve. It indicates that we must read the next installment.
I hope that helps! We love your writing. Our guidance is to help everyone in our community to continually improve their short story writing skills.
Thanks so much :) That was where I went wrong then, in needing to introduce my character better - I will try to do better in the future :)
Wonderful! Yes, and bringing your story to a satisfying conclusion too is so important. We tell all of our writers this when stories do not seem to resolve the question or conflict posed in the story.
I am always looking for help in improving, so this is perfect :) It's so awesome getting honest and supportive feedback each week from a group who enjoys reading the stories I post.
Sometimes I don't quite nail it, and I love that you guys will tell me exactly where it could have been better. Thank you Jayna and also the rest of the Ink Well team :)
So glad it's appreciated, @wrestlingdesires! We always aim to find that delicate balance between supporting creative effort and providing feedback for continual improvement. Writers can be a sensitive lot, and we never want to come off as being discouraging.
You have nicely explained your imagination. Did you said shuffling the forms; from human to pigeon hehe.
Would you continue your imaginations?
That is up to the admin, as series aren't really encouraged here [maybe I should leave it to your imagination :) )
hahahaha this was GREAT!!!!!!
When you pulled out your wing - I thought ok... i'm gonna love this post. LOLOLOL
and I did - every bit of it!
wow.. hmmm I might need to get there and check out that port. hahahahahahaa
lol I thought that the jogger needed his own story! I would sure be surprised to be in a different world in the blink of an eye!
Maybe you can find an improved version of the good ship Giggles there:)
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STOPCheck out the last post from @hivebuzz:
Now THIS was a journey on Main Street -- with fireworks of SEVERAL kinds! Loved it! Well done!
Thanks - I'm glad it made you smile :)