Thanks to Rochelle for the prompt and the horde of minions for reading.
The tree stood atop the grassy hill under a deep crimson sky. Beneath sat a dog and a frog.
“Evenin’, Earl,” said the dog.
“Evening, Rufus,”
“Purty sunset, eh?”
Earl looked toward the sky. It was indeed a beauty. “Thought dogs couldn’t see colors.”
“That’s a myth. We can see all fifteen of ’em.”
” Rufus, there are millions of colors.”
“Very funny, Earl, but I’m not stupid. You and I both know there ain’t but fifteen.”
Earl put his arm around the dog’s neck and scratched behind his ear. Together they watched the sun set.
“You caught me, pal.”
January 1st, 2014 at 5:28 PM
Hi Adam, your story is darling. Silent
January 2nd, 2014 at 6:55 AM
Thanks, Glad you liked it.
January 1st, 2014 at 5:36 PM
This is so cute! I love it!
January 2nd, 2014 at 6:57 AM
The photo had me thinking of the Cheshire Cat, so naturally I had to go with talking animals.
January 1st, 2014 at 5:45 PM
Very cute!
January 2nd, 2014 at 6:59 AM
Thanks.
January 1st, 2014 at 6:23 PM
ha…I can hear the accents 🙂 Dogs are truly not color blind.
January 2nd, 2014 at 7:01 AM
Yeah, I know, but most people think they are. I don’t recall what colors they can actually see, but from what I remember the range is more limited than ours. I’m sure that info is easily accesible with a quick search, but I’m feeling lazy.
January 2nd, 2014 at 7:03 AM
ha…I was a vet tech and my daughter is the end all, know all of animal information. She is going to be a veterinarian. Don’t ask me how many colors…I just know they do see. I want to know how to look through a doggies eye.
January 2nd, 2014 at 12:47 PM
I looked it up… dogs have 2 types of receptor cones, green and blue. Humans have green, blue, and red. And on a slightly different but related note: the mantis shrimp has 15 different types… just think of all the things we aren’t seeing!
January 2nd, 2014 at 12:50 PM
No way….I want to see more. So not fair…really what does the mantis shrimp need that many?
January 1st, 2014 at 7:17 PM
Love the names and the humor! 🙂
January 2nd, 2014 at 7:03 AM
I like these two. I may have to use them again at some point. Rufus is a basset hound by the way, and Earl wears a blue suit and a top hat. A very odd couple.
January 2nd, 2014 at 9:46 AM
Oh, that makes them even better. I would love to hear more about them!
January 1st, 2014 at 8:03 PM
Cute and witty.
January 2nd, 2014 at 7:05 AM
Why yes, yes I am… Oh wait, you meant the story, huh? 🙂
January 1st, 2014 at 9:04 PM
Earl can probably only see about 15 also so they should get along just fine.
January 2nd, 2014 at 7:10 AM
No idea how many colors frogs can see, but there are animals that have far better eyes than humans, so who knows. Either way, he knows millions exist even if he can’t see them.
January 1st, 2014 at 9:48 PM
I didn’t realize frogs had arms. 🙂 Cute story, Adam. Did you see me wave as I flew by twice on I-76 on Monday-once each way on the same day? Have a great 2014.
janet
January 2nd, 2014 at 7:12 AM
They don’t, but they also don’t talk and wear blue suits and top hats. This one does though. He’s more of a Wonderland frog than an actual frog, plus arm is one word and front leg is two 🙂
I thought I felt a breeze. You must have been going pretty fast. Hope your trip went well.
January 2nd, 2014 at 7:50 AM
I know frogs don’t do all those other things, but the word “arm” threw me for a moment, had me re-reading to see where I missed a person coming into the conversation. As for the trip, it was what the airline industry calls a turnaround. Left Akron about 8 am and got back at 10 pm. But no bad weather and it went well.
janet
January 2nd, 2014 at 7:54 AM
Think of an anthropomorphized frog standing on his hind legs wearing a blue suit and a top hat. That’s Earl. Rufus is just a regular old basset hound, except for the talking of course.
January 2nd, 2014 at 2:59 AM
It would be nice if all differences of opinion could be settled so amicably.
January 2nd, 2014 at 7:14 AM
The world would be quite a different place if that were true. Different and far better in many regards.
January 2nd, 2014 at 3:27 AM
Sweet! Earl’s a good friend-knows when to stop arguing, knows what’s important and what’s not. Pretty smart for a frog 🙂
January 2nd, 2014 at 7:14 AM
Smarter than a lot of people I know. haha
January 2nd, 2014 at 3:49 AM
Very sweet story, I’m picturing Kermitt. But I thought 15 was right!
January 2nd, 2014 at 7:15 AM
Of course 15 is right, Perry. I just made up the millions thing for the sake of a good story.
January 2nd, 2014 at 5:18 AM
A sweet one with great friends. Earl’s certainly a great friend to play along with the color discrepancy — and I like that he scratched behind Rufus’s ear. A good buddy.
January 2nd, 2014 at 7:16 AM
We could all use a friend like Earl, and one like Rufus too.
January 2nd, 2014 at 5:58 AM
Dear Adam,
The cuteness baton is yours this week. Now all this story needs are some great illustrations. Charming.
Shalom,
Rochelle
January 2nd, 2014 at 7:19 AM
Dang, I had a feeling it would come back to me eventually. I’ll have to pass it off next week. I don’t want to ruin my street cred….
You’re right, it does need illustrations. I would have added some, but I’ve never been good at those. I can draw, but illustrations were always one of the most difficult artforms for me. No clue why.
January 2nd, 2014 at 9:13 AM
Wonderfully imagined ….. loved it 🙂
January 2nd, 2014 at 11:20 AM
Thanks, so much. You’re very kind.
January 2nd, 2014 at 10:34 AM
Great characters, great dialogue, great idea - just great!
January 2nd, 2014 at 11:19 AM
It’s great to see such a great response for my story.
January 2nd, 2014 at 10:36 AM
reminds me of the quote: “Men are only required to know five colours”. What the heck is “puce” anyways? Great post.
January 2nd, 2014 at 10:45 AM
If I knew the answer to that question I would likely be a woman. In other words, I have no idea. Thanks for reading!
January 2nd, 2014 at 12:00 PM
What are friends for? I enjoyed your story, Adam; I’d love to see you use these two again.
January 5th, 2014 at 8:49 PM
Chances are you’ll see them again. Whether or not they’ll be used in such a lighthearted way is up for debate.
January 2nd, 2014 at 12:58 PM
Great story - it must have been a huge toad to get it’s arm round the dog’s neck!
January 2nd, 2014 at 1:09 PM
Or a small dog… or possibly a combination of the two. 🙂 Thanks for reading.
January 2nd, 2014 at 3:11 PM
Wonderful cute story… I really loved the names of the toad…
January 3rd, 2014 at 8:34 AM
He really is a wonderful toad, especially once you get to know him.
January 2nd, 2014 at 3:20 PM
Lovely story - two old friends just “chewing the fat”!
January 3rd, 2014 at 8:35 AM
These two certainly go way back.
January 3rd, 2014 at 4:12 AM
Great companionship. Thanks for writing this.
January 3rd, 2014 at 8:35 AM
Thanks for reading.
January 3rd, 2014 at 3:06 PM
Humans can only see red, blue and green? I’m not human, then, as friends have suspected for some time. Endearing tale of cross-dressing humans.
January 5th, 2014 at 8:50 PM
We can see red, green, blue, and any possible combination from combining those colors.
January 6th, 2014 at 12:52 PM
Of course (says Ann, blushing ‘cos she’s an artist and ought to know this). But oh, no, so I am human after all! 🙂
January 3rd, 2014 at 7:21 PM
Such a sweet and easy story this week, Adam. It suits the photo perfectly. Few of us were willing to go dark with this one; something I’m enjoying. 🙂 Happy New Year!
January 5th, 2014 at 9:45 PM
For some reason I went to Alice in Wonderland and the Cheshire Cat. Somehow these two were born of that idea. It wasn’t that I wasn’t willing to go dark. It’s just that this story came to me before I even had a chance. 🙂
January 5th, 2014 at 9:57 PM
Love when that happens! 😉
January 3rd, 2014 at 9:57 PM
Aww, unlikely friends, but sweet. Thanks for the comments on mine. Happy New Year.
January 5th, 2014 at 9:46 PM
Unlikely friends are sometimes the best friends. Thanks for reading.
January 3rd, 2014 at 9:59 PM
such a sweet wonderful story. i loved it. and i also liked the characters’ voices. happy 2014 🙂
January 5th, 2014 at 9:47 PM
They’ll likely make another appearance in the future. Maybe they’ll meet the moths trying to take over the world. Maybe Earl will eat one of those guys. Haha
January 4th, 2014 at 1:56 PM
I loved the interchange and affection between the character. This is a feel good story if there ever was one.
January 5th, 2014 at 9:47 PM
You’re right. I should probably get myself to a doctor. This one is so unlike me. I must be sick.
July 16th, 2014 at 8:07 AM
[…] guys originally appeared in the story Friends are Important. The wanted to come back for another. Who am I to turn them […]