Max has a noble mission
Everyone is
bombarded and deals with serious issues; let’s start the week with a smile. Read a short story by Erika M Szabo
Carol casually
walked on the sidewalk in her closed-gate community, her golden retriever, Max,
trotting beside her. Max was a charming whirlwind of golden fur, exuding both
elegance and boundless enthusiasm. His coat gleamed under the afternoon sun, a
testament to his recent grooming. Around his neck, he wore a jaunty little bow
tie on his leash collar, a splash of color against his soft, golden mane. Max
seemed acutely aware of his dapper appearance, strutting with confidence that
turned heads as they passed by.
As they
strolled past a neighbor’s yard, Max abruptly halted, his eyes locking onto
something he had never seen before: a garden gnome. This wasn’t just ordinary
lawn decor to Max. No, to him, this was an enigmatic figure of intrigue and
suspicion. The gnome, with its vibrant blue hat, bushy white beard, and
mischievous eyes, seemed to take on a life of its own, casting a spell of
curiosity and wariness over Max. The cool breeze rustled the leaves around
them, but Max remained fixated, convinced that this whimsical statue was a
menacing enemy, demanding his undivided attention.
With the
resolute determination of a knight safeguarding the kingdom, Max took off like
a bullet. Carol, clutching the leash with all her might, transformed into an
impromptu water-skier, skimming frantically along the freshly moved lawn. Her
voice rang out, a desperate cry that was a blend of “NOOO!” and “MAX!!” as he
charged forward with unstoppable speed. In an athletic leap, he tackled the
unsuspecting garden gnome and then perched himself triumphantly atop it, as
though the inanimate object had conceded defeat in a grand battle.
The gnome lay
on the ground, shattered into pieces that glistened under the sunlight like a
mosaic of colorful shards. Max, the triumphant warrior, strutted away with a
swagger in his step, tail held high like a victory flag. His bowtie, slightly
askew from the spirited encounter, added a rakish charm to his appearance. As
he paraded across the grass, he embodied the proud defender of lawns
everywhere, basking in the glory of his latest conquest.
The familiar
sight of the squat, cheerful gnome that graced the front yard for such a short
time was now gone, replaced by a tall, vibrant pink flamingo. Its plastic form
stood proudly amidst the garden, its neck elegantly curved and its beady eyes
gazing out over the lawn. As for the neighbors, they remained divided, still
deliberating whether this flamboyant newcomer was truly a step up from the
charming, if slightly kitschy, figure it had replaced.
What would you put in your garden?
Gnome or Flamingo?
Erika M Szabo
Erika loves to dance to her own tunes and follow her dreams, introducing her story-writing skills and her books that are based on creative imagination with themes such as magical realism, alternate history, urban fantasy, cozy mystery, sweet romance, and supernatural stories. Her children’s stories are informative and educational, and deliver moral values in a non-preachy way.