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.
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s what I was aiming for. Thank you!
LikeLike
A lovely echo between bird and man
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Neil.
LikeLike
The weaver bird. What a perfect metaphor you have chosen 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. They are such clever little creatures. And hard workers too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great metaphor. A very beautiful write.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Lisa.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad I could share this tiny bit of ornithology with you, Rochelle. Thank you!
LikeLike
Nice story, fun post, thank you for introducing me to the Weaver Birds.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad I could share it with you, Ted. Thank you.
LikeLike
What a fascinating bird. Good job including it in your story!
LikeLiked by 1 person
They are totally fascinating. Thank you, Tannille. And thanks for stopping by and reading my post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
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. 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sandra. I didn’t realise you lived in Jo’burg. Yeah, those females were high maintenance!
LikeLike
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true! Nature teaches us how to be who we are without reservation and constraints and flow with life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely story. It’s a tough life for those birds, all that effort!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is tough, but eventually, a mate does settle in. Thank you, Iain.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a terrific take on the prompt, Fatima!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Dale 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person