PHOTO PROMPT© Sandra Crook
He came to escape. Refresh. Clear his mind. Where better than a lodge out in the Botswana bush? Archer checked his phone for the fiftieth time. Only her screen-lock picture smiled back at him.
Outside, a masked weaver bird worked diligently on his nest. A female fluttered by and slipped inside the hanging nest. Archer knew if she liked it she would stay. Within seconds she popped out and flew off. Just like that. No warning. No goodbye. Leaving the weaver bird staring after her wondering what he did wrong.
“Chin up, buddy. The right one will stay.”
99 words
The prompt reminded me of the bright yellow weaver birds that are prominent in Botswana. There’s one that tears the leaves off of my palm tree into thin strips to weave his nest. They are such clever little things.
Honestly, I’m not sure if the females inspect the nest to their liking. Some bird species in the world build elaborate nests, complete with fancy bottle caps or shiny pieces of litter, and the female arrives to inspect it all. If she approves she simply settles right in. If not, she continues on her way.
Written for Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. Write a story in 100 words or less.
Fajr, Books & That First Cuppa 
A lot of back story in this one. A brilliant way to convey the sense of loss being felt by the protagonist by linking it with the mating ritual of the weaver bird.
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That’s what I was aiming for. Thank you!
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A lovely echo between bird and man
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Thank you, Neil.
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The weaver bird. What a perfect metaphor you have chosen 🙂
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Thank you. They are such clever little creatures. And hard workers too.
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Great metaphor. A very beautiful write.
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Thank you, Lisa.
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Dear Fatima,
I love they way you used the prompt. Beautifully woven tale and I learned something about a bird I didn’t know before.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Glad I could share this tiny bit of ornithology with you, Rochelle. Thank you!
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Nice story, fun post, thank you for introducing me to the Weaver Birds.
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Glad I could share it with you, Ted. Thank you.
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What a fascinating bird. Good job including it in your story!
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They are totally fascinating. Thank you, Tannille. And thanks for stopping by and reading my post!
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Such an expertly conveyed metaphor. I used to watch weaver birds entertaining their prospective mates when we lived in Jo’burg. It was difficult not to feel sorry for them when the female trashed their efforts. 😦
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Thank you, Sandra. I didn’t realise you lived in Jo’burg. Yeah, those females were high maintenance!
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This is so clever, and such a beautiful metaphor. Unrequited love smarts, but the weaver bird teaches to let go. Something we can learn from him.
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So true! Nature teaches us how to be who we are without reservation and constraints and flow with life.
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Lovely story. It’s a tough life for those birds, all that effort!!
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It is tough, but eventually, a mate does settle in. Thank you, Iain.
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What a terrific take on the prompt, Fatima!
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Thank you, Dale 🙂
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