What's So Funny?
Russell Gayer, author speaker
The Perils of Penelope
What’s up with all the insects? Is it because it’s summer? Those are just two of the questions that occurred to me upon seeing this week’s photo prompt from Madison Woods http://madisonwoods.wordpress.com/ I realize bugs have their place in the grand scheme of things, but is inspiring creativity really part of the job description? I think not. Had it not been for its name, you would be staring at a blank screen.
The Perils of Penelope
“Help, help! Please saaa-ve me!”
“Give it a rest, Penelope. I’ve rescued you from a speeding train, a buzz saw, a five-hundred foot waterfall, and an IRS auditor—and it’s not even noon yet.”
Four years at Hero Academy had not equipped Raul for the constant whining, screaming, and over-acting forced upon him by this little drama queen. To her, life was one perilous misadventure after another—with Raul, her trusty safety net.
“You’re resting on top of a fat man’s bald head. What could possibly go wrong?”
“Oh, wise guy, eh?” said Moe.
He swatted Curly on the noggin.
22 Comments on “The Perils of Penelope”
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What's So Funny? 
Ah the Hero academy transitioning to the three stooges – neat/imaginative take on the prompt Russell.
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I love this! The first part was funny on its own…then we come to the twist ending 🙂 And I love the sentence about "resting on top of a fat man's bald head".My story – http://newpillowbook.wordpress.com/2012/06/22/friday-fictioneers-advice/
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So creative. So perfect. So funny. Love it!–Janhttp://janmorrill.wordpress.com/2012/06/22/flashfriday-fictioneers-the-damsel-fly-dance/
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A funny and fascinating take on the prompt. Me like very much! Mine is here and linked as well: http://readinpleasure.wordpress.com/2012/06/21/fridayfictioneers-the-omen/
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It's not all capes and crusades. I loved the button. And, just cause, "Niagra Falls? Slowwwwly I turned…."
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hahaha! Another funny episode.http://logo-ligi.com/2012/06/21/a-silent-moment/
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This is by far the most different I've seen so far. Very creative!
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Hi neighbor,You had me laughing before the story even started. When do we get to the chigger and tick prompts? It is a very buggy summer here, probably because of our mild winter. But you know that. You're probably scratching just like me!My story is here: http://bridgesareforburning.wordpress.com/
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Now that was clever!
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My dog's name is Penelope. Did not see the 3 stooges coming in to this one!Mine is here: http://erinleary.wordpress.com/2012/06/22/flash-friday-fiction-6/#entry
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Love this…now we can add Penelope to Owl and Raccoon's adventures. I'd like to see a Penelope series as well. You can find me on the list, if not…here: http://www.triplemoonstar.blogspot.com
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Sounds like any series starring Penelope will consist of prequels. Ouch! What a way to go! Very funny. And creative viewing of the prompt picture. I'm seeing it in an entirely new way.
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hahaha…very funny. Loved your take on it, Hero academy haha..nice.
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You always leave me laughing. here's mine http://www.rochelle-wisoff.blogspot.com/2012/06/homework.html
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I liked the way that you positioned the photo. Which is probably not what I'm supposed to say, but I thought that it showed that there were two different parts to the story. At least, that's what I understood. May I ask a silly question? How the Hell did the Stooges get in there? There I was, enjoying the story, and then the photo arrived and there was a different story after it. What did I miss?
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Well, as so often happens with stuff I read online, I am completely confused by some 'cultural' reference which passes me by. In this case, the three stooges. However, up to that point, I loved it and I'm sure a lack of shared cultural background is my fault not yours.I'm over here: http://elmowrites.wordpress.com/2012/06/22/friday-fiction-the-crossing/
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This was a very difficult prompt for me, but what doesn't kill you is supposed to make you better (or so I'm told). I had to find some way to kill her off. Penelope, the damselfly, goes overboard trying to stay in constant distress, wearing poor Raul out. At the end, he believes she is crying wolf, when in fact she had made an ill-fated landing in a slap-stick comedy's most prolific danger zone.
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You make a good point, Elmo. Not everyone has the same shared experiences or cultural background. I'll take that into consideration on future writing and hopefully broaden the appeal to a larger audience.Thank you for providing an honest, straightforward comment that can help me improve.
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you can't worry too much about the cultural references of others. if you try to reach all audiences – then you will never reach any. you can't write generically enough so that you don't exclude anyone, not unless you want to write about nothing interesting.
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Haha, poor little damsel in distress. He should have rescued her that one last time 😦
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Nyuk nyuk nyuk nyuk!Hey Moe, Hey Moe!Russell,I've been working my way backwards through the list and finally got to yours. Not disappointed. As ususal.Can't figure out how you do it, though. Wired funny, I guess.Aloha,DougP.S. Thanks for dropping into my Kaleidoscope.
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Raul certainly has a busy schedule. Who doesn't love the three stooges?http://thebradleychronicles.wordpress.com/2012/06/21/flash-fiction-friday-shearing-placid/
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