By, Nan Claire Falkner
Amy finished putting away the leftovers in the cooler while Joe put up his camera equipment. Birding was so rewarding. The seasons changed and the birds migrated spring and fall each year. How lovely to sit on the Dock and watch the ducks fly south for the winter. Waving good-bye to them, Joe snapped one last picture for his yearly portfolio.
The earth began to shake. Amy could see walking giant robots across the water getting closer every day.
The Robot General laughed as he watched the humans from his binoculars and ticked off another species. “If only they knew!”
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Hey Nan — Should I get my welder out to stop those Walking Giant Robots or should l just get a lasso to tie up their feet like they did in Star Wars. …. Nah, I like the welder.
You are my number one fan – thanks honey!
Hmm. Giant robots. Great story.
Thank you Susan!
That’s a really original take on the prompt Nan! Well done.
Dear Sandra, Thank you for stopping by and reading my story. I was so busy this week with company, I didn’t even start writing until this afternoon (Friday – Kansas City time). My take is somewhat sci-fi but I guess it could happen some day – I hope not, though. Nan 🙂
Giant robots who laugh! Maybe we could expose them to some really bad jokes and they might go away. I like your peaceful little scene, before the earth starts to shake. A really clever idea.
Dear Margaret, Thank you for stopping by and reading my story! Yes, we need some bad jokes all right! Sometimes I think when it’s peaceful, beware of the coming trouble.
It’s always better not knowing – living in the joy of the moment.
Enjoyed this. Randy
Why thank you Randy, I enjoy living in the moment too! Thanks! Nan 🙂
Like the change of perspective and pace in the middle there. Poor Joe, I don’t think he’ll be doing much birding in the future. Very clever idea.
Dear Sarah Ann, Thank you so much! Yes, I think Joe might as well take his camera, and binoculars and go home. Thanks for stopping by. Nan 🙂
That was a big unexpected change in the middle – nice!
Claire
Dear Claire, Thank you for reading and commenting! Have a good week! Nan 🙂
What a twist, Nan! That would throw a wrench into peaceful bird watching. Giant robots would be quite something to see. Great story. I enjoyed this!
Dear Amy, Glad you stopped by and commented. Bird watching isn’t going to be peaceful anymore if giant robots move into town! Thanks! Nan 🙂
Nice switch. I’ve often wondered if mankind would be more cautious if we were the next species to be wiped out. Well done.
Dear Alicia, Maybe we would pause and think what we are doing to several species every day.
Thanks! Nan 🙂
Great image of the robots and of the peaceful present about to be taken over by the future.
Dear Maree, Love your name too! Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my story. I think the great outdoors isn’t meant to have giant robots killing everything in sight. Thanks, Nan 🙂
I wonder if anyone/thing is watching the robots in their turn? There’s always a bigger fish!
Dear Draliman, You are absolutely right! Have you every felt your hair standup because you thought someone was watching you? I have and it’s creepy! Thanks for stopping by! Nan 🙂
Really creative piece!! Good writing 🙂
Dear Nan,
Human-watching robots. I’ll be watching for them. Do you think there are any at Loose Park or Shawnee Mission Park? Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Dear Rochelle, We saw a drone flying in Shawnee Mission Park recently so maybe there really are robots watching us! Have a good week Rochelle and thanks for stopping by. Also, thank you for being our fearless leader – you do an absolutely wonderful job! Nan 🙂
Oh there are some vibes from H.G. Wells here.. please come bacteria 🙂
Dear Bjorn, I’ll even take the common cold! Thanks for stopping by Bjorn! Nan 🙂
Depends on who the watcher is!
Love your sci-fi story!
Remembered the movies- War of the Worlds & Avataar….
Dear Anita, It is sort of “War of the Worldish” But, I think it’s just a matter of time that something like this happens. Well . . . it could! Thanks for stopping by Anita! Nan 🙂
Does have a war of the worlds feel to it. A gentle pleasurably activity being pursued before it all comes tumbling down.
Dear Subroto, Thanks for stopping by. I see now that a virus or the common cold (not Ebola) could stop it in it’s track. Nan 🙂
Nan, nip over to AnElephant’s story and get the device!
Great write here!
Dear Elephant, I’ll do that! Thanks! Nan 🙂
You have me wondering whether the birds are watching the robots. 🙂
janet
Dear sustainabilitea, Whoa this is so late – I am so very sorry. Thanks for reading my story!
Indeed, who is watching who? Great write! 🙂
Dear Love Happy Notes – Daily Fun and Inspiration. Thank you for reading my story. I apologize for this being – well, I think it’s almost 4 years old and it’s about time I realized I didn’t reply to your comment. So sorry!
There’s a nice surprise, to know they aren’t threatening after all. At least I assume they’re not ticking off species for any sinister purpose. 🙂
Dear David, Well, nothing like being 4 years late to reply to your comment. Thank you so very much. SOME DAY, I just may figure out this thingy I’m using. Sorry!
Haha, that’s fine. I was going to say I feel bad for seeing this a month late, but I guess I don’t need to. 🙂 Hope you’re doing well these days.
Let’s hope the robots intent is to watch humans like Joe watches birds. But I don’t like the general’s laugh… Good story, Nan.
Dear Karen, Thank you so very much for reading and commenting on my story. I’m sometimes really S L O W. I apologize. Sorry!
Dear Nan,
‘Amy could see walking giant robots across the water getting closer every day.’ This sentence has two things that are somewhat confusing. I want it to read…’giant robots walking across the water…’ Is that possible what you meant? I don’t know. Second is….’getting closer every day.’ The entire story is set in the ‘now’ yet this sentence rips us out of the now and has us twanging back and forth like a bowstring as we try to decipher what has been seen, when, and for how long.
I mention these items because I think you will treat the questions as just that and not an unwarranted critique. I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled for clarification or for a warning to back off.
Aloha,
Doug
Dear dmmacilroy, Thank you so much for reading my story and commenting. Today, I went back to double check my responses to comments and lo and behold, I missed a bunch. I am so very sorry this is so very late.
Woof! Stay away from the lake. Love Robot General.
Dear patrickprinsloo, I am so very sorry this is 4 years late. I just now read it. Thank you for reading and commenting on my story.
Nan, I agree that I don’t like the tone the robot general is taking. For the ground to be shaking they must be on the move. I would caution that couple to run and hide if possible.
Well written. 🙂 — Susan
Dear Suzanne, I figured out how to go back and double check to make sure I had answered all the comments made on my story. WELL, I hadn’t and I apologize profusely. Thank you!
Hi Nan, great story, you mix the beauty of Nature with robots, good mix to remind us to enjoy more the beauty around us now.
Hello Elizabeth, Please forgive me for not noticing I hadn’t answered your comment 4 years ago. What was I thinking? Sorry and Thank you for reading!
Don’t worry, sometimes we get lost in time! 😉
You had me at ‘Giant Robots’ 🙂
Nice.
Dear wildbilbo, Well, I missed answering some of the comments that were made on my story. I apologize and Thank you for reading and commenting. Sorry!