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Flash Fiction Friday – An Annoying Speck

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Hugh W. Roberts

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September 19, 2022, prompt: Write a story about mud on the tires in 99 words (no more, no less). The tires can be from any conveyance or serve as an analogy. How did they get muddy, and why? What impact does mud on the tires have on the story (plot) or characters (motivation)? Go where the prompt leads! Click here for details.

An Annoying Speck – by Hugh W. Roberts

It was the tiniest speck of mud on the tyre, but it annoyed him. He couldn’t leave it there on such a special occasion.

“MARSHALL! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” bellowed a voice.

“But sir, there’s–“

“I DON’T CARE. BACK TO YOUR POSITION, NOW!”

“YES, SIR!”

A few seconds before setting off, Marshall retook his chance and removed the mud while his leader turned his back.

Then, on the sound of his boss’s bellowing voice giving orders, Midshipman Marshall joined the other 97 royal navy sailors in towing the carriage containing the Queen’s coffin as the sound of bagpipes played.

***

Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch.

***

Enjoyed this piece of flash fiction? Then you’ll love ‘Glimpses.’

***

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40 responses to “Flash Fiction Friday – An Annoying Speck”

  1. Lisa at Micro of the Macro avatar
    Lisa at Micro of the Macro

    Well written, Hugh! Please let me know if this comment goes to your spam folder. Thanks! 🌞

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Thank you, Lisa. No problem with this comment going straight to spam.

      Reply
      1. Lisa at Micro of the Macro avatar
        Lisa at Micro of the Macro

        Fabulous, thanks for letting me know! I contacted WordPress & Akismet as you suggested! 🌞

        Reply
  2. Gary A Wilson avatar
    Gary A Wilson

    Ah – that could have been me obsessed with clearing away that speck.
    Great take Hugh.

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Thanks, Gary.

      Reply
  3. Mud on the Tires Collection « Carrot Ranch Literary Community avatar
    Mud on the Tires Collection « Carrot Ranch Literary Community

    […] An Annoying Speck by Hugh W. Roberts […]

    Reply
  4. ellenbest24 avatar
    ellenbest24

    Rules are made to be bent to make things right. A lovely take on the prompt Hugh

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Thank you, Ellen.

      Reply
  5. Linda Schaub avatar
    Linda Schaub

    Ahh, he wanted everything perfect, as it should have been. I am sure there were some watchful eyes by those involved in the funeral and procession to ensure everything was perfect. I watched all the highlights and marveled at the precision of the funeral, like you have shown us in the video. There will never be another sovereign funeral like this again, even with King Charles III’s passing as 20 + years on the throne cannot come close to the Queen’s 70-year reign. One of the most-touching parts for me was the lone piper at the end and I learned every morning he woke up the Queen by piping a song (that song if memory serves me right) on his bagpipes. The bagpipes are so melancholy to begin with.

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      I’d heard the Queen had her own piper, but I wasn’t aware he woke her every morning by playing the bagpipes, Linda. I wonder if Charles will carry on that tradition?

      Reply
      1. Linda Schaub avatar
        Linda Schaub

        It was the first time I learned of that piper story Hugh and so I looked in my browser history – it was a story on CNN. I found the story – will send it in a separate comment in case it goes to your SPAM filter. Sometimes my fellow UK bloggers cannot open up news stories, but CNN should be okay. I learned that the Piper to the Sovereign began during the reign of Queen Victoria.

        Reply
        1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
          Hugh W. Roberts

          Thank you, Linda. I got the link too.

          Reply
          1. Linda Schaub avatar
            Linda Schaub

            You’re welcome Hugh. Glad the link worked for you.

            Reply
  6. Will avatar
    Will

    Well done Hugh! Very timely. Though if you don’t mind, a Royal Navy Soldier is actually a Royal Navy sailor. And the navy is always capitalized if named. William J. Miller, Jr., MSgt(Ret.) UASF

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Thanks, Will. And thanks for the advice. I researched ranks in the Navy, and it seems I didn’t get all right.

      Reply
  7. Terri Webster Schrandt avatar
    Terri Webster Schrandt

    Great story of determination and perfect timing, Hugh!

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Thanks, Terri.

      Reply
  8. Brenda avatar
    Brenda

    Great story Hugh.

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Thanks, Brenda.

      Reply
  9. Erika avatar
    Erika

    What a wonderful take on this prompt, Hugh.

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Thank you, Erika.

      Reply
  10. JT Twissel avatar
    JT Twissel

    That’s what I call devotion to duty!

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      I agree. If only everyone in society was the same.

      Reply
  11. Janis @ RetirementallyChallenged.com avatar
    Janis @ RetirementallyChallenged.com

    Although I didn’t watch the somber procession, judging from the pictures I’ve seen, I imagine all mud was removed from the tires (or, tyres) beforehand. Good job, Marshell. :)

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Everything was perfect, Janis. I’m always amazed at how well the armed forces look on occasions like this. I only wish their training on how to look after things correctly was passed down to all in society.

      Reply
  12. Colleen M. Chesebro avatar
    Colleen M. Chesebro

    Oh, this was stunning Hugh! 💙

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Thanks, Colleen.

      Reply
      1. Colleen M. Chesebro avatar
        Colleen M. Chesebro

        You’re welcome. I thought the Queen’s funeral was emotional for everyone.

        Reply
        1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
          Hugh W. Roberts

          I agree, Colleen. It was an emotional but spectacular day.

          Reply
          1. Colleen M. Chesebro avatar
            Colleen M. Chesebro

            It will be interesting to see how things fall into place for King Charles.

            Reply
  13. Liesbet @ Roaming About avatar
    Liesbet @ Roaming About

    This is really good, Hugh! And timely. When we left our previous camping spot, there was more than one speck of mud on our tires as it had rained the night before and our cow pasture had a lot of dirt. This, in turn, made our tires not grip the road very well. Luckily, all was fine. We didn’t even need to use our 4WD. But, our clean car is not so clean anymore. :)

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Thank you, Liesbet.

      Sorry to hear about the muddy tyres. At this time of the year, I find vehicles get much dirtier because of all the mud and spray from the roads and rain. But, so far, we have had a nice start to the autumn, with it being warm by day and chilly at night. Perfect for me.

      Reply
  14. Cathy avatar
    Cathy

    Nice one, Hugh.

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Thanks, Cathy.

      Reply
  15. Sadje avatar
    Sadje

    It was a very important occasion

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Yes, it was. Thank you.

      Reply
      1. Sadje avatar
        Sadje

        You’re most welcome

        Reply

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