These guys originally appeared in the story Friends are Important. They wanted to come back for another. Who am I to turn them down?
I know I haven’t been around much, I even missed Six on the Sixth this month. Sorry about that. I actually did write stories for the last three or so FF prompts, but I didn’t post them because I’ve been in a bit of a writing funk and they just came out looking like garbage to me.
Anyway, on to the words you actually came for. Here’s my story paired with my photo. Thanks for using it as a prompt Rochelle.
Goat Head
“Earl?” said the dog.
“Yes, Rufus?” said the frog.
“Why’s there a goat head in the corner?”
“That’s a relic from my Satanist days.” Earl grinned.
“You… were a Satanist?”
“Oh yeah. I was big into the whole ritual sacrifice of virgins scene.”
“That’s not a thing… is it?”
“No. I bought it at a garage sale. It spoke to me.”
“That’s a pretty weird thing to buy. You don’t even like hunting.”
“You should have seen me trying to carry that thing in here by myself. It was a riot.”
“I’m sure it was, Earl. I’m sure it was.”
July 16th, 2014 at 8:21 AM
Dear Adam,
I’m trying to visualize the frog carrying the ram’s head. Hard to hop that way I’d think. Strong back legs. ;)
shalom
Rochelle
July 16th, 2014 at 8:39 AM
Hard to hop indeed. I suspect it was more of a wobbly leg shuffle with frequent breaks. Maybe even some rolling of the head near the end.
July 16th, 2014 at 8:40 AM
Dear Adam,
Thanks for the great picture this week!
Aloha,
Doug
July 19th, 2014 at 2:38 PM
Glad you liked the photo, Doug.
July 16th, 2014 at 8:51 AM
Adam, That was hilarious. :D I can just see it from your description to Rochelle. That was as good as the story. Well written once again. Thanks for the photo. :) —Susan
July 19th, 2014 at 2:40 PM
I almost went with him carrying it as the story, but I didn’t know how to work Rufus in there.
July 16th, 2014 at 9:03 AM
“Earl?” said the dog.
“Yes, Rufus?” said the frog.
This part…no words. Dog/frog combination - epic. :D Tnx for the photo!
July 19th, 2014 at 2:41 PM
They are quite the odd couple, but somehow they work.
July 16th, 2014 at 9:13 AM
Oh I love a frog with a good sense of humour :)
July 19th, 2014 at 2:42 PM
Doesn’t everyone? Isn’t that a requirement of being human? If not it should be.
July 16th, 2014 at 9:32 AM
Frogs, dogs, satanists, virgins… what more could you want in 100 words. Delightful bit of nonsense, Adam. Thanks for the picture.
July 19th, 2014 at 2:43 PM
Frogs, dogs, satanist, and virgins… Oh my! Sounds like a weird Wizard of Oz remake.
July 16th, 2014 at 10:56 AM
very, very funny:) and thanks for the cool pic!
July 19th, 2014 at 2:44 PM
Glad you enjoyed both the story and the photo.
July 16th, 2014 at 11:40 AM
Your story made me smile, Adam. I’m glad it’s “not really a thing.” I giggled thinking of a frog trying to carry something like that all by himself.
Welcome back! May your muse be always with you.
Cheers!
MG
July 19th, 2014 at 2:46 PM
I’m glad its not really a thing also. Well not a thing as far as I’m aware anyway. There might be some dark underground cult somewhere where it is a thing… Say that would make for a good story. I might have to explore that at some point.
July 20th, 2014 at 12:22 AM
Now you’re starting to scare me, Adam. The best advice I can give at this point was given to me on Facebook (which is in itself rather scary): Don’t die a virgin. There are terrorists in the afterlife waiting for you.
Wow! I really need to have a few more drinks before I comment here. The single glass of wine tonight isn’t cutting it.
I’m off to pour another glass of blackberry wine.
Cheers!
Marie Gail
July 16th, 2014 at 12:42 PM
“It spoke to me.”
What the heck would that say? :-)
July 19th, 2014 at 2:49 PM
That was answered in the original version but was cut for length. Rufus asked the same question. Earl’s answer was “buy me, I suppose.” Though it was a figurative speaking to rather than literal.
July 16th, 2014 at 2:27 PM
Lol, if a headless goat spoke to me I do believe I’d faint…not struggle to carry it lol love the cute humour :)
July 19th, 2014 at 2:51 PM
Earl would have run the other way if it actually spoke. It was more a “I’ve got to have that” kind of gut feeling than actual speaking I’d say.
July 21st, 2014 at 10:02 AM
Haha same thing to me,…that is not something I would wish to possess. Good one though lol
July 16th, 2014 at 3:25 PM
I really enjoyed this, to say the least! The Satanist humor was really a great mention. Thanks for sharing this wildly inspiring photo and writing such amusing dialogue!
July 19th, 2014 at 2:51 PM
You really can’t go wrong with a bit of Satanist humor can you?
July 16th, 2014 at 3:40 PM
Too bad Rufus wasn’t there to help with the goat head! Great story as usual Adam!
July 19th, 2014 at 2:52 PM
I’m sure Earl would have welcomed the help, but it wouldn’t have been nearly as fun to watch.
July 16th, 2014 at 6:05 PM
I like the playful take on the prompt. I had to laugh at the image of the frog brining in the ram’s head.
July 19th, 2014 at 2:54 PM
Glad you enjoyed it Cole. I almost with I was an animator so I could bring it to life.
July 16th, 2014 at 6:33 PM
You were a Satanist/it spoke to me. These lines play well together. Cheers.
July 19th, 2014 at 2:55 PM
I didn’t even notice that, but when you’re right you’re right, and you’re right.
July 16th, 2014 at 8:16 PM
What a great image, the frog carrying the goat’s head.
The first two lines of the story have a picture book rhythm, and then it goes off in a whole other direction - I love it :)
July 19th, 2014 at 2:56 PM
I think these two would be right at home in a picture book.
July 17th, 2014 at 2:28 AM
I love Rufus and Earl! And thanks for the wacky picture this week!
July 19th, 2014 at 2:59 PM
I love them too. They’re among the favorite characters I’ve ever created. Only problem is that being a talking dog and frog they can’t really be part of any of my other stories. They need their own world to exist in where animals can talk.
July 17th, 2014 at 4:29 AM
A satanist frog with a talking ram head - isn’t it so obvious! And of course he has to have a doggy friend! Superb !! :)
July 19th, 2014 at 3:00 PM
Well it just wouldn’t have made any sense at all if he didn’t have a doggy friend. That just would have been ridiculous.
July 17th, 2014 at 9:02 AM
Such fun and great voices.
Good pic.
July 19th, 2014 at 3:00 PM
Thanks.
July 17th, 2014 at 9:55 AM
Finally now it all makes sense. Thanks for this week’s photo, made for pretty interesting stories.
July 19th, 2014 at 3:01 PM
I haven’t had a chance to read a lot of them yet, but I hope to get through most of them later this evening.
July 17th, 2014 at 11:35 AM
I like how the frog is so casual about his dalliance with Satanism :-)
July 19th, 2014 at 3:04 PM
I’m sure he’s so casual about it because he’s just messing with Rufus.
July 17th, 2014 at 11:37 AM
Ok - the visual on the head hopping along…creepy. :D
July 19th, 2014 at 3:05 PM
I would go funny over creepy, but I guess you had to be there.
July 17th, 2014 at 12:59 PM
Oh, the vision in my head… hilarious, Adam!
July 19th, 2014 at 3:05 PM
Glad I could add some comic relief to your day.
July 17th, 2014 at 1:57 PM
Adam,
I enjoyed writing to your photo, even though my story turned out to be more of a childish pun. We have been missing you. Glad to see you back and I love these characters.
July 17th, 2014 at 2:37 PM
Also, when I read the title I was reminded of the Rolling Stones album, Goat Head Soup. :)
July 19th, 2014 at 3:07 PM
Nothing wrong with a childish pun every once in awhile. Glad to be back. Hopefully I can get out of my writing lull quickly.
July 17th, 2014 at 6:11 PM
I’m into the ” …the whole ritual sacrifice of virgins scene”. Could you contact me with more info?
(smile) Randy
July 19th, 2014 at 3:09 PM
I’ve been out of the scene for awhile, but I hear Perry Block has made a deal or two with Satan. Perhaps he can point you in the right direction.
July 18th, 2014 at 1:32 AM
Very sweet…I think. Definitely very funny, though.
July 19th, 2014 at 3:10 PM
Glad you enjoyed it.
July 18th, 2014 at 1:42 AM
Great dialogue … i enjoyed it a lot!
July 19th, 2014 at 3:10 PM
Wonderful. I’m glad to hear that.
July 20th, 2014 at 12:10 AM
:-)
July 18th, 2014 at 2:50 AM
LOL. I can almost imagine it.
July 19th, 2014 at 3:12 PM
I wish I was an animator. Then you wouldn’t have to imagine it.
July 18th, 2014 at 3:05 AM
Dear Adam, I loved the picture - what is that stuff in the ram’s mouth? You are so clever. Good story! Nan :)
July 19th, 2014 at 3:13 PM
It’s a tumble weed kind of stuff that made its way inside at some point. Glad you enjoyed the story.
July 18th, 2014 at 9:28 AM
Adam, I’ve missed you! You know I loved this photo when you first posted it on FB, ages ago. It was fun to put a story to it, but I’m still dying to know the real one. As for stories… I spent some free time reading a certain horror story, while in Scandinavia. I’m just about done, and will be in touch. Sorry for all the delays! :-p
July 19th, 2014 at 3:17 PM
If I knew the real story behind this I’d let you in on it, but I never bothered asking. It’s probably better that way. The truth is likely a lot more boring than the fiction this photo has inspired. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the other story. At least I think I am. Always a bit nervous to hear someone else’s thoughts about my writing. Never gets any easier.
July 20th, 2014 at 10:48 AM
Dang! I was hoping I’d hear a story here Mister Adam! Alas.
As for the other, we can plan to talk or I’ll send you a complete email. I hate feedback; you’re right, it NEVER gets easier! Each writing group, when the other writers in my group break down my work, I cringe… the whole time! I’ll be gentle. ;-)
July 22nd, 2014 at 8:08 AM
Let’s go with the email for now. That could change, but it’s hard to gauge when I’ll have free time with a three year old who enjoys time with her daddy and has said daddy wrapped around her little finger.
July 22nd, 2014 at 11:40 AM
As it should be. ;-)
July 18th, 2014 at 11:03 AM
Nice and loved the photo! ^..^
July 19th, 2014 at 3:17 PM
Glad you enjoyed it.
July 19th, 2014 at 2:46 AM
Haha, I love the title!
July 19th, 2014 at 3:20 PM
It does have a nice ring to it doesn’t it?
July 19th, 2014 at 4:23 PM
For a second I thought the dog was the next sacrifice.
I like you ending better.
July 19th, 2014 at 6:11 PM
good thing Rufus is nice enough not to eat Earl. good doggy . . . and cute story for your intriguing photograph. thanks!
July 20th, 2014 at 12:25 AM
Adam, that is quite a funny visual of a frog carrying the ram head! Maybe a pack of ants helped him out. This is a great photo for the prompt. It’s one of those prompts that can brings a world of possibilities! Thanks for the photo. Great story. Good to have you back.
July 20th, 2014 at 3:53 AM
I laughed. I can well imagine how the sight of the goat’s head lurching into the middle of a bunch of satanists would cause a riot. :)
July 20th, 2014 at 8:24 PM
Sounds like Rufus is one gullible dog. :) I can see them as old friends.
July 21st, 2014 at 3:32 PM
Thanks for the photo this week! Great Inspiration!
Liebe Grüße
Carmen
July 21st, 2014 at 6:10 PM
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July 21st, 2014 at 6:18 PM
Great post in reply to your photo prompt! Rochelle certainly picks and chooses well!
Loved the story so much it inspired my post - a reply “as it were.”
Great piece and I’ll definitely have to check out your space - anyone who thinks a frog and dog conversing and are buds, has captured my imagination ;)
July 21st, 2014 at 7:19 PM
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August 8th, 2014 at 2:19 PM
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