Carrot Ranch #FlashFiction ‘Bats’ #99Words #SundayBlogShare

Posted byLucciaGrayPosted inBlog, Carrot Ranch Flash FictionTags:, , , , , , , , , , , ,

This post was written in response to Charli Mills at Carrot Ranch’s weekly #99 word Flash Fiction Challenge. This week’s prompt is to include a bat in the story. Check out other entries or take part yourself!

Bats

‘Granny, what do bats eat?’

I sighed wishing my daughter was here to answer her son’s question. ‘I have no idea, Jimmy.’

‘We need to find out.’

‘Why is that, sweetie?’

‘We’re doing a class project about what animals eat and I got the bat.’

‘Let’s ask google.’

‘Who’s that?’

‘Someone who knows everything.’

‘Everything?’

I nodded and tapped the microphone. ‘Ask your question.’

‘What do bats eat?’ Jimmy asked.

A woman’s voice replied. ‘Most bats eat insects and are called insectivores…’

‘Mrs Google is a really clever lady, granny. Can we ask her when mummy is coming back?’

****

This weekend I was lucky enough to have my grandchildren visit. While we were busy doing some arts and crafts, I told my grandson I had to write a story about a bat. He was horrified at first and begged me to choose another animal, so I told him it had to be a bat, because Charli, was the boss and said it had to be a bat. He insisted they were black and ugly, so I suggested drawing a ‘cute’ bat.

This what he finally came up with. And he was wearing his batman sweatshirt!

While he was colouring his cute and colourful bat, I started jotting down some ideas and I asked him to help me write the bat story.

‘Shall we include a cave in the story?’ I asked him and he shook his head violently. ‘I want to know what bats eat.’ he said and so we asked Google and found out a few things about bats. He was relieved that they ate mostly insects!

We had a great time chatting about bats and colouring. His little sister joined us in the fun and his mum, my daughter, popped in now and again to check on our progress and chat. It was a lovely way to spend the evening, so I’m puzzled as to why my story took such a sad turn.

I suppose I was thinking how lucky we all are to have each other and how important siblings, parents and grandparents are for children. Sometimes we forget to value what we have, until we no longer have it. I certainly hope he never has to miss anyone in his family.

When we’d both finished our tasks, he said he’d like to send Charli the picture, so Charli, here’s the prettiest bat you’ll ever see! Thanks so much for the prompt and for hosting the weekly challenge.

****

Published by LucciaGray

Writer, blogger, teacher, reader and lover of words wherever they are. Author of The Eyre Hall Trilogy, the breathtaking sequel to Jane Eyre. Luccia lives in sunny Spain, but her heart's in Victorian London.

20 thoughts on “Carrot Ranch #FlashFiction ‘Bats’ #99Words #SundayBlogShare”

  4. Well, of course, I had to comment on this because I ADORE bats. I have an entire Pinterest board dedicated to nothing else. I love the bat you and your grandson drew! And there are many bats (especially in Australia) that are so stinking cute!

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    1. Thank you, Irene. We had fun! He didn’t dress for the photo. It was a coincidence. I’d actually bought it years ago for his older cousin, my older grandson, who’s 7 and used to love batman:)

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  8. Pingback: For the Bats « Carrot Ranch Literary Community

  9. That is the best bat drawing, ever! Oh, Lucy, how wonderful to share the prompt with your grandson, and yet you gave your flash a poignant twist. He’s a blessed to have a loving grandma and mom to help him answer his curiosities! Tell him how much I enjoyed his drawing!

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