The Ranch is open, but I’m on hiatus at the southern edge of the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. The unpaved backroads, hilly terrain, links of lakes and ponds, woods, and the Green Mountains disorient me and yet feel familiar. Several times, going around a bend or glimpsing the humps of ancient wooded mountains, I have anticipated a memory, experienced the feeling of recall only to remember I’ve never been here before.
As if that’s not surreal enough, I’m driving around in D. Avery’s truck. I’ve met her mom at the Juedevine Library where we introduced Wrangling Words in 99 words to Vermonters. I had a beer with her brother at the local American Legion where he’s a big mucky-muck very important person. I fed her dad’s chickens and survived a jaunt through the woods when her friend, a local librarian at the Craftsbury Library, said the trail was how to get there. I’ve never hiked through the woods across a mountain ridge to get to a literary event but, hey, I’m game!
Right now, D. has Vermont beans in a crockpot and is visiting with JulesPaige across camp on Greenwood Lake. She baked sourdough buns, and I made a green salad with tarragon dressing, using honey Jules brought from Pennsylvania. We are waiting for Ann Edall-Robson to arrive from Canada and Susan Sleggs from New York.
Pinch me. I’m living the dream of Some Day.
Some Day I was going to lead a nature writing retreat, call it a refuge because it would be a place to rest the writer’s soul and fill up the creative mind. The Refuge, like the Ranch, would be a safe space to explore Writing Dreams, and further craft, platform, and publishing while learning from the Nature Writing Greats who have influenced me over the years. I wanted to be like Annie Dillard or Wallace Stegner and have a special place from where I could write and inspire others to do so, too.
Greenwood Lake is D.’s special place, and she’s sharing. We had a day of getting to know each other, a day to build trust. The next day we played out loud going to the center of a waterfall, witnessing loon choreography, chasing loons and herons in kayaks, chatting up lake neighbors, and discovering mysteries in old cemeteries. I can imagine a young D. accompanying an uncle as he researched their old family ties here, running off and finding a curious obelisk. I can picture her opening the metal cover on the side, surprised to find a mirror inside. The mirror is gone but not the memory.
Lots of things did not happen before I stepped onto the plane to come here — I’m still waiting on final word with home and MFA. But never mind. I’ve come to the Kingdom, and it’s time to focus on that Some Day and share this Refuge, get it going to become an annual event. We welcome Ranchers tonight, including as koala proxy standing in for Norah Colvin. She also sent us treats and sparkling notebooks. Perfect for the realm.
Collections are going to back up as I’m on hiatus, but I will return to “home” by the 24th when D. and I are reading from last week’s responses to the microhistories. Thank you for joining us in that activity! I’ll return after that with good news and catch up with each of you and publish the collections (last week and this one). Because of my time away, I’m setting up the July 11 prompt to have an extended two-week deadline. I hope you have fun with it!
July 11, 2019, prompt: “My kingdom for a koala!” In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about a koala in a kingdom. You can create a character out of Norah’s koala and give it a Vermont adventure. Or you can make up a story however you want! Can you pull off a BOTS (based on a true story)? Go where the prompt leads!
Respond by July 23, 2019. Use the comment section below to share, read, and be social. You may leave a link, pingback, or story in the comments. If you want to be published in the weekly collection, please use the form. Rules & Guidelines.
Koala in the Kingdom by Charli Mills
Koala jangled plastic hips when the morning sun hit her solar panels. She danced with a big grin while three loons circled in a pattern like a watery Celtic knot. She guarded the birding binoculars from her book perch beneath wildflowers. Koala stood in a mound of chocolate covered macadamia nuts, watching the Lead Buckaroo sneak bites when she was supposed to be fixing dinner. Koala smiled when the card from her Australian writer connected the gathered Ranchers from the Kingdom to Down Under. In 99-words, no more, no less, Koala bore witness to literary art and writerly friendships.
Carrot Ranch Literary Community 
Have fun, kids.
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Having a blast! 😀
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“Yeah, yeah. Pal, where are we? I don’t know if we’re here or there.”
“Shush Kid. Mebbe it ain’t about you or even me.”
“Reckon they’s havin’ fun?”
“Yep. The Poet Lariat is right there by a real live fire, an’ sure ‘enough she’s a real live wire. An’ hear thet? The Prentiss’ have jist arrived fer fireside chats. Hey, here’s Shorty. An’ Jule’s hub. OMG ain’t this cool? Could this git any better?”
“Sounds like we’re here.”
“Right here. Jist heard Ann Edall-Robson’s on her way too. Then Susan Sleggs.”
“Think they know we’re here?”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“Nope.”
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Thought I glimpsed Kid in the Poet Tree but it was Blue Heron. Mighty fine country, this here Vermont.
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Sounds like you’re already having a marvellous time and it’s only going to get better when everyone else arrives. Thanks for the mention. I hadn’t thought of it going ‘public’, then what could I expect from a writer. Now I just have to figure out how to spell ’embarrassment’ in 99 words. 😂😊 Perhaps my grandchildren will help. They’re coming over to play today.
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I love the koala theme, Norah. I have my photo holding a koala plus koala on the tree.
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That’s awesome, Miriam. Where was the photo taken?
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From our Australia trip. I don’t remember the exact location but I wanted to find out. We flew to Sydney, went to Blue Mountain, Brisbane, then flew to Cairns and drove along the coast to Cape Tribulation. We went to a Koala zoo somewhere there. Do you know any Koala zoo in those areas?
We paid to have the picture taken and they also used our camera to take some for us.
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Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is quite close to me here in Brisbane. You can certainly have a photograph taken with a koala there. I had mine taken when I was about seven. But there are other places where you can hold a koala and have a photo taken too; for example, Currumbin Wild Life Sanctuary at the Gold Coast and Taronga Zoo in Sydney. Perhaps the back of the photo was stamped with the location. Can you see the back or is it glued into an album?
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Thank you, Norah! I’ll check. We probably went to the Koala Sanctuary near you not the zoo in Sydney.
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If only we’d known each other then. It’s only 15 minutes from me – just down the road. 🙂
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Wouldn’t it have been wonderful, Norah? In my future travel, I’ll keep in mind of where my blogger friends are. 🙂
We’re coming back to Australia plus New Zealand. We may not go to Cairns this time. 🙂
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If you come to Brisbane, let me know. 🙂
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I surely will, Norah. It’s would be wonderful we could meet. 🙂
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It would. 🙂
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🙂 🙂
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Here is The Koala Kingdom:
https://theshowersofblessings.com/2019/07/23/carrot-ranch-flash-fiction-the-koala-kingdom/
The Koala Kingdom
“Welcome to the Round Table. The top agenda today is on Koala.”
“We had that six months ago.”
“I’ve met with Koala King. His concerns are about the millions of acres of their kingdom being destroyed.”
“By the developers for housing?”
“And the wildfires too. There’re no consistent legislation or adequate resources from the government to protect them.”
“What do we do?”
“The researchers suggested upgrading the Koala status from Vulnerable to Endangered. We’ll recommend that the government declaring the Koala habitat a sanctuary.”
“Yes, the Koala Foundations will jointly go to the government for securing the Koala Kingdom.”
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What a great idea to send a proxy, Norah, and your thoughtfulness and generosity is nothing to be embarrassed about. And perfectly apt to have a prompt in your honour.
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Thanks, Anne. I do feel honoured to have instigated a prompt. The prompt has in turn instigated an idea for a picture book, so I’m pleased about that. 🙂
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OH WOW!!! That’s fantastic.
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Norah, you have been such a wonderful part of our refuge! Sorry, we’ve had a few accidents with your proxy! Koala is living the adventure, that’s for sure. Hope you know that we all appreciate your generous spirit and welcome you here. ❤
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Thank you, Charli. It was important for me to feel a part of it, even if I couldn’t be there in person. Now you’ve got me wondering what happened to my proxy!!! I hope the adventures included some laughs. Adventure goes best with laughter. 🙂
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Your proxy went on a golf cart, hikes, kayaking and guarded the bowl of chocolate-covered macadamia nuts.
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The children and I all wrote the beginnings of koala stories. This isn’t the one I started then, but another one to add to the collection:
A Kingdom for a Koala
“Bring me a koala!” The king bellowed, sending servants scuttling.
His zoo was complete with all, except a koala. The omission stoked his anger daily. He wouldn’t accept that his destruction of eucalypt forests had decimated their population.
From the shadows came a tiny voice. “What will you give for a koala?”
“Anything!”
“Your kingdom?’
“Yes, my kingdom! Anything! Just get me a koala.”
“I have a koala. First, your sceptre and your kingdom.”
Blinded by rage and desire, the king complied.
The koala removed her mask. The king gloated pre-emptively.
“Throw him into the dungeon. Free the animals!”
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I’m back with another koala story to add to the mix:
Surprise Party for a Koala
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Little Koala’s eyes pinged open.
There it was again. BANG! BANG!
She stretched, clambered down the tree and headed towards the noise.
She stopped under possum’s tree and peered into the branches.
“What’s going on here?”
Possum peeked out, glancing left and right. “Nothing.”
“Tell me!”
“Nothing. Go away.”
Koala scrambled up the tree. “What’re you doing?”
Possum grimaced, pointing to a sign.
“You know I can’t read yet.”
Possum placed a crown on Koala’s head. “It was supposed to be a surprise. Happy birthday.”
Koala felt special as a princess when all her friends arrived.
Link: https://wp.me/p3O5Jj-1r8
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I’ll tell what happened to Koala. She fell off the back of a moving golf cart, but was caught mid air, so preserved. Someone had the idea you might have bugged her so you could hear what was going on. There was loads of laughter but you missed the reading of a horse point of view story about carrying her cowboy while he was calf roping. It was mighty near erotica and the word of the day was titillating….Like I said, loads of laughter, and learning, and loons, and water, and new special friendships. We all talked to you during our stay.
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Somebody is forgetting one important lesson. (What happens….)
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Oh my, Koala has had quite an adventure. I wish I’d thought of bugging. I did think of a Fb messenger session but thought I’d better not interrupt the creative flow. I like that there was laughter. Laughter with friends is the best. I’m so pleased to hear you all had a good time.
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Lots of laughter and koala was right in the thick of it for most!
Susan, that horse perspective story came up today at the border when the Canadian Mounty mistook that D. and I were “riders” and I nearly got a case of the nervous giggles trying to cross over!
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Glad you made it over safely.
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I apologize for not replying to the right comment, but I don’t see the “Reply” button in the corresponding one.
Actually, you cannot hold or even touch a koala at Taronga in Sydney.
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That’s interesting. It’s also better for the koalas. It’s changed since I was last there. Thanks for clarifying for everyone.
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It’s weird, because at Taronga I was told it was a NSW thing, but then I heard that at Featherdale you can pet it no problem, so I’m not sure where the “law” comes from.
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I think it’s been a recommendation for a long time regarding the health of koalas. But, as in many things, we humans take no notice if our ‘needs’ are given greater priority.
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Sounds like a great time you’re having. I’d love to do something like that some day.
Since starting my WordPress blog around 20 months ago I’ve met so many other writers. I used to feel quite isolated but now I feel part of a community of like minded people. It’s my dream that one day I’ll meet some of the other writers whose work I have constantly read over the last year. However I’m in New Zealand and I have no money for travel, so at this point it’s just a dream for the future.
I hope you all have a wonderful time. Hopefully it will be quite creative ❤
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What part of New Zealand, Joanne? We went to Australia 15 years ago, but my hubby and his siblings want to go to Australia and New Zealand probably in 2021 (we made travel plan for 2020 already). They are Aussies.
In my future travel, I would keep in mind of where my blogging friends are.
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I’m in Christchurch.
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Thank you, Joanne. I’ll make a note of it.
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This has been a long-time dream, Joanne. The extended version is to get to Australia and New Zealand. It’s wonderful to build community with writers and it starts with safe space to play with words and stories like here at Carrot Ranch. Glad to have you part of this community!
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I’m excited for you, Charli! Your Someday is not too far off.
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Thanks, Miriam, this is an exciting time!
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Yes, Charli. You’ll have to have an opening house when things are settled!
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I’m headed back and close on the house Friday. An open house is a good idea!
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Somehow I haven’t seen your replies, I only saw the ‘likes.’ I came over and saw some comments, Charli. I hope there’s nothing wrong with my blog. Close your house on Friday is wonderful. Waiting for the open house. Some photos of the house, maybe.
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That sounds lovely! I remember the first time I went to Vermont. It felt like going home although I’d never been before. I tried to make it home but fate intervened and rightfully or wrongfully, I listened. I hope you all enjoy the writing retreat…wish I could be there. 😀
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Sascha, I’ve not had such a strong feeling of having been to a place I haven’t. Fate leads us down unexpected paths but I’m finding as long as we show up for the daily ride, it can be amazing.
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I think all of the green–there is so much, even the license plates!–must have reminded me of my childhood, going for summers to West Virginia which was also green and wooded, a place I missed and loved.
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A strong memory of all the green. Now I understand these Appilacian places better.
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[…] Princess Koala at the Kingdom Diner was written for the Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge. […]
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Here’s a link to my story: https://saschadarlington.me/2019/07/11/princess-koala-at-the-kingdom-diner-amwriting/
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Good one!
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Thanks so much, Charli! 🙂
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Enjoy your visit to the waterfall and woods of creativity and rejuvenation–sounds like a little slice of much-deserved heaven!
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Gushing waters beneath the falls fill the well with crystalline waters. Ah, yes, this is a slice of heaven.
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These are the things that assure us of the goodness of life. ❤
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Seems you’ve had a warm welcome, Charli both in the landscape and its people. I’m sure all the ranch hands are with you in spirit. Hoping you all have a marvellous and productive time and looking forward to hearing more. And photos!
Never seen a koala, but will be back with my contribution eventually.
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Lots of warm welcomes here and yes, lots of photos. I may use Ann Edall-Robson’s photos, or Jules’. They are both snapping shots! We are having good productivity. Have fun with the Koala. 😉
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Look forward to seeing them. Have a great time.
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I thought my 99-word story would be light and fluffy. So if the ending takes you by surprise, you’re not the only one…
A Midsummer Night’s Teddy Bear’s Picnic
Celebrating another book birthday: #SugarandSnails turns four https://annegoodwin.weebly.com/1/post/2019/07/celebrating-another-book-birthday-sugar-and-snails-turns-four.html
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Hey Charli, Sounds like you’re having a well deserved good time! Funny, I’ll be at Lake Champlain next week, on vacation with the family.
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Pete! You are like 90 miles away! Have a wonderful vacation.
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Sounds like an awesome time Charli!
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It is, Susan! Thanks!
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[…] Charli’s Carrot Ranch 99-word Fiction Challenge […]
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Sounds like you have had a wonderful time Charli! Here’s hoping it’s all onwards and upwards for you!
Managed a BOTS one!
https://butismileanyway.com/2019/07/12/july-11-flash-fiction-challenge-koalas-kingdom/
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Definitely, the world has shifted, Ritu, and it feels like for the better.
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I am really pleased for you 🥰
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[…] July 11: Flash Fiction Challenge […]
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Thanks, Anita!
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It sounds like you are having a smashing time, Norah. I am so happy for you all.
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[…] Carrot Ranch Koala […]
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In one of the few quiet moments I’ve penned;
In the Greenwood Kingdom
Sheila Koala took a walkabout in a different outback. She needed a solar recharge… she wondered if even the coming full moon would be enough to allow her to dance with all the words she was planning to pen to paper. Just imagining how to listen to the wild strawberries and decode the lightning bugs, and luxuriate in the loons compelling call… this is a strange new world.
At the waterfall the sun not quite out, the trail slick from the previous days rain. Moss was growing brown veined white quartz. These are things that would also help renewal.
©JP/dh
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Very slight change at the site.
See you all when I return. The Poet Lariat of Carrot Ranch 🙂
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Sounds adventurous as same as the Ranch.
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Your time in Vermont must be the best! Thank you for all the stories of what’s happening there. I”m so glad Norah sent along something special. 🙂
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[…] I wrote this for the July 11th Flash Fiction Challenge […]
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OK…
I messed up a couple of things. The link to my story is wrong in the submission. It should be
https://tnkerr.wordpress.com/2019/07/14/fascinating-stories-from-science-i/
There was also a link to the Australian Museum embedded in my story. It doesn’t appear to have made the jump into the submission. It should be
https://australianmuseum.net.au/learn/animals/mammals/drop-bear/
I’ll try to get it right next time. Prolly won’t though, but I’ll try.
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[…] in response to the Carrot Ranch July 11: Flash Fiction Challenge . The challenge this week was to write a story in 99 words on a Koala in a […]
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Awww, that sounds like so much fun Charli, wish I could have joined in 🙂 Here’s my entry for the week. Hopefully, I won’t be disappearing for long periods from now on 🙂 https://jagahdilmein.wordpress.com/2019/07/15/a-gift-fit-for-royalty/
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[…] flash fiction of 99 words was written for a challenge over at Carrot Ranch. The prompt word being: […]
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Here’s mine for this week.
http://susansplace.blog/2019/07/15/the-koalas-picnic-flash-fiction/
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[…] This was written with the prompt to write a story about a koala in a kingdom provided by the Carrot Ranch July 11 Flash Fiction Challenge. […]
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I thought this would be a difficult one, but I came up with a story surprisingly quickly: https://jedigirlblog.wordpress.com/2019/07/16/jill-the-pirate-and-the-koala-king-short-fiction/
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[…] This week at the Carrot Ranch, Charli Mills challenged writers to In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about a koala in a kingdom. You can create a character … […]
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[…] was written in response to the, frankly bizarre and challenging Carrot Ranch prompt this […]
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A day or two in the life. Pretty Seinfeldian, I think.
Up to here with Koalas
Aussie stuff’s ringing out loud and clear today.
An Australia bound Air Canada hits a vortex and plummets’ down.
Or up.
It returns to the nearest land.
Honolulu.
Two day earlier, I wheeled a wheelbarrow of scrap, crap wood and punctured skin. I go to the Doctor for an infected hand. He gives me some Australian Papaw Gel.
Charli posts “My Kingdom for a Koala.”
My Kingdom, such as it is, a little ratty by regal standards, is overflowing with Australian minutae.
Then I remember that my cousin once got deported.
Weed, eh!
Koalas!
Cute, maybe, but unbearably pushy.
http://www.engleson.ca
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Enjoy the adventure! I hope the retreat “blossoms” into more stories (and prompts) for the Ranch!
Thank you, Norah, for inspiring that wonderful prompt.
I ended up finding a kingdom for Koala in a past FF of mine — Green lake habitat … I could not get the Vermont woodlands out of my mind!
Saifun
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That sounds heavenly. I’d love to join Some Day.
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[…] “In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about a koala in a kingdom.” [Extra points for pulling off a BOTS (Based On a True Story)] – a prompt for this week’s CW piece. [Source: @CarrotRanch] […]
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[…] Carrot Ranch Prompt (07/11/2019): “My kingdom for a koala!” In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about a koala in a kingdom. Can you pull off a BOTS (based on a true story)? Go where the prompt leads! […]
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What is wrong with me? 😮 LOL
Hope you enjoy this bit of naughtiness:
So Hot
Sweat slid down between her breasts, over her taut belly, dipping into her round navel and dampening the fabric of her summer shorts. Her sports bra was soaked, unable to absorb more sweet summer effusions.
After having mowed the lawn in 80% humidity, there were plenty.
She tipped her head back and downed the last of her water bottle, shaking it for the final shivering drops. Leaning back on the cement stoop, she peered at her boyfriend, Ted, sipping an icy Koala Cooler.
“I’m parched, Ted. My Kingdom for a Koala!”
Waggling his brows, he tossed her a bottle.
© Liz Husebye Hartmann (2019)
[Continue ]
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Charli, I feel blessed to have been able to attend the first Nature Retreat. I left some major issues at home in order to be there and during one solo writing experience I was “given” the knowledge I was exactly where I was supposed to be on this earth at that given time. An epiphany of sorts. I arrived with questions about my WIP and I left with, not only answers, but a plan to move forward. Thanks doesn’t say it all. May many other Ranch Hands get to attend in the future and may these retreats become available to all, no matter their location. You are an inspiration.
Peace of Mind
When young I could stare at lake water long spans of time noticing the passing boats, the size of or lack of white caps, or a splash made by a fish jumping to catch its supper. Often there would be just the surface to watch; the ripples changing direction with the breezes. This past week I got to do the same in an unfamiliar, beautiful location. I again experienced a peace of mind, free of all other thought. I wonder if it’s the same peace a koala might experience in its kingdom in the tops of a eucalyptus tree.
https://wordpress.com/post/susansleggs.com/10831
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Been on a bit of a hiatus myself — on a mission during a family emergency just to arrive home feeling the effects of air travel, fighting a migraine and then losing to it badly yesterday. I’m not sure what to do with koala’s but I’ll think of something.
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[…] If you want to participate, here’s the link: https://carrotranch.com/2019/07/11/july-11-flash-fiction-challenge/ […]
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That is wonderful. 😊 I am so happy for you all. Have an amazing time! (Lovely that Norah can be there in Koala spirit.) 🐨❤️
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“Sure is nice, layin’ out here under the stars.”
“Yep, Kid, it sure is. Big skies an’ fresh air.”
“Hear that, Pal? Frogs croakin’. Listen. Don’t it soun’ like they’s callin’ fer Shorty? Shorty. Shorty.”
“Kid, thet ain’t frogs. We’s on the Ranch, not some lake back East.”
“Then what is that sound?”
“D’ruther not say, Kid, ‘ceptin’ thet after two weeks a beans mebbe the air could be a might fresher.”
“Oh. Yep, I smell what yer sayin’. But hear that call, Pal? Gotta be loons.”
“Coyotes, Kid. We’s on the Ranch.”
“No loons here?”
“D’ruther not say.”
***
“What d’ya s’pose Shorty an’ our writer’s up to? Ya’d think our writer’d be writin’.”
“Oh, she done turned that writers’ refuge in ta a writer’s refuse. Refusin’ ta write, claims doin’, seein’ stuff ya cain’t make up gits in the way of fiction writin’. Cain’t shape her WIP.”
“Shorty’ll whip ‘er inta shape.”
“Mebbe, mebbe not. Heard Shorty’s unner some kinda Green Mountain spell now too. Either thet or she’s jist been out in the Vermont hot sun too much. Gittin’ kinda looney.”
“Shorty ever comin’ back?”
“Reckon. Even those twisty gravel roads cain’t keep Shorty from Home.”
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“Sure is nice, layin’ out here under the stars.”
“Yep, Kid, it sure is. Big skies an’ fresh air.”
“Hear that, Pal? Frogs croakin’. Listen. Don’t it soun’ like they’s callin’ fer Shorty? Shorty. Shorty.”
“Kid, thet ain’t frogs. We’s on the Ranch, not some lake back East.”
“Then what is that sound?”
“D’ruther not say, Kid, ‘ceptin’ thet after two weeks a beans mebbe the air could be a might fresher.”
“Oh. Yep, I smell what yer sayin’. But hear that call, Pal? Gotta be loons.”
“Coyotes, Kid. We’s on the Ranch.”
“No loons here?”
“D’ruther not say.”
***
“What d’ya s’pose Shorty an’ our writer’s up to? Ya’d think our writer’d be writin’.”
“Oh, she done turned that writers’ refuge in ta a writer’s refuse. Refusin’ ta write, claims doin’, seein’ stuff ya cain’t make up gits in the way of fiction writin’. Cain’t shape her WIP.”
“Shorty’ll whip ‘er inta shape.”
“Mebbe, mebbe not. Heard Shorty’s unner some kinda Green Mountain spell now too. Either thet or she’s jist been out in the Vermont hot sun too much. Gittin’ kinda looney.”
“Shorty ever comin’ back?”
“Reckon. Even those twisty gravel roads cain’t keep Shorty from Home.”
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“Even those twisty gravel roads cain’t keep Shorty from Home”
❤ ❤
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I know all about Some Days and am so happy you are living yours!!
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The Two Koalas
She was born in the year of the Koala (so did the new wave Japanese astrology hippies say,) and so was her son. Together they went everywhere, the tender mom and son, and teasingly she called him “Bubba,” but he replied, every time, “I am not your Bubba, but you are my momma,” and together they laughed.
Their kingdom was the God-given world. They loved the flowers, ancient trees, and the lakes, but unfortunately, many of their favorite places were violated by the aggressive building projects.
Yet, wherever the two went, people said: “Their Koala kingdom is the best.”
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[…] Last week at the Carrot Ranch, Charli Mills challenged writers to In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about a koala in a kingdom. You can create a character … […]
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[…] This flash fiction was written in response to Charli Mill’s July 11, 2019, prompt: “My kingdom for a koala!” In 99 words (no more, no le… […]
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Hi Charli😁
Here is my take on the prompt.
https://aweni.net/2019/07/23/who-did-it/
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16 weeks has been a pretty good run for Hanna, Tal, Mac and Liz . . . Koala Range will be the last of Hanna’s Story I will be sharing with you (for a while).
Koala Range
By Ann Edall-Robson
Mac stood leaning on the fence, one foot resting on the bottom rail. He came here when he needed to think without interruption from humans. This was the pasture the retired horses were turned out in to enjoy the rest of their days, the old-timer’s kingdom. A tradition his grandfather had started, and one Mac was happy to carry on.
“Remember son, you never turn your back on the ones that made you the man you are.”
A soft nose pushed at his hand looking for a treat. Mac’s favourite gelding waited for attention.
“Here you go, Koala.”
https://www.annedallrobson.com/99-words/koala-range
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[…] Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge – The Koala Kingdom […]
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Here is The Koala Kingdom:
https://theshowersofblessings.com/2019/07/23/carrot-ranch-flash-fiction-the-koala-kingdom/
The Koala Kingdom
“Welcome to the Round Table. The top agenda today is on Koala.”
“We had that six months ago.”
“I’ve met with Koala King. His concerns are about the millions of acres of their kingdom being destroyed.”
“By the developers for housing?”
“And the wildfires too. There’re no consistent legislation or adequate resources from the government to protect them.”
“What do we do?”
“The researchers suggested upgrading the Koala status from Vulnerable to Endangered. We’ll recommend that the government declaring the Koala habitat a sanctuary.”
“Yes, the Koala Foundations will jointly go to the government for securing the Koala Kingdom.”
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Nothing like posting at the last minute (and considering there was even an extra week in there)…nonetheless, here is my entry:
The Encyclopedia Kingdom
Julie loved picking up random volumes of the encyclopedia, discovering new animals. It was there that she found entries for wombats and koalas. Both were from Australia, but she’d probably only see them in pictures.
One Christmas, however, she saw a Moore’s ad with a stuffed koala bear on sale, ninety-nine cents. She circled it and hoped the hint would be taken.
On Christmas morning, Julie was excited to open a package containing the little koala. It looked less like the pictures, but she was happy.
Years later, she saw koalas at the Cleveland Zoo. Wombats? Fingers still crossed.
Nancy Brady, 2019
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