Charli’s prompt this week:
March 1, 2018, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that includes a raven. It can be in nature or used to describe humanity as a metaphor. Follow the bird. Go where the prompt leads.
We have a set of ravens that congregate on the roofs of the houses of our neighbourhood… but they weren’t the inspiration for my flash today.
No.
I ended up thinking about the famous ravens at the Tower Of London. I knew they were meant to always be there, but wasn’t sure why, so it was time for a little research again.
Did you know they clip one wing, so the birds don’t leave, though there have been ‘escapees’ and they had to ‘sack’ some because Raven George kept eating Television aerials, and Raven Grog was sighted outside an East End Pub, drinking on the job!
I kid you not! If you want to read a little more, click here!
And here is my little attempt!
“It is a worry indeed, Your Majesty, yes. We’ve had to sack three of them this year, and getting decent replacements, well that is an increasingly tough task.”
Beefeater Chambers looked out of the window, whilst speaking to the Queen on the Royal telephone.
The requirement was six ravens to be guarding the Tower of London at any one time, or the Tower and Kingdom would fall, and this new generation, well they were useless.
They didn’t have the spunk of their ancestors, calling in sick all the time, too busy posing for the tourists and Instagram selfies.
Really!
https://carrotranch.com/2018/03/01/march-1-flash-fiction-challenge/
Charli Mills
Mar 08, 2018 @ 00:39:03
Great flash, Ritu! I love the ambiguity — it can be read that the Beefeater is referring to the ravens or royals! Of course, with your research on the some of the ravens who’ve been sacked, I’m thinking the demise belongs to the clipped ones.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ritu
Mar 08, 2018 @ 06:49:50
Glad you enjoyed it! But yes, it is referring to the clipped ones, rather than the ‘others’!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Charli Mills
Mar 11, 2018 @ 01:50:01
Ha, ha! Good to know! I read it as the ravens, but thought it was fun to leave it open-ended.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ritu
Mar 11, 2018 @ 06:45:35
Always good to have a little ambiguity!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist
Mar 05, 2018 @ 02:21:41
LOL. Ravens employees of the crown. Good take. The prompt took me to the Tower also. Loved your additional info.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ritu
Mar 05, 2018 @ 06:51:04
Glad you enjoyed Irene! I shall pop over to read!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aimer Boyz
Mar 03, 2018 @ 17:01:10
They maim the birds? That’s awful.
Good thing we don’t have any story about birds circling the CN tower 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ritu
Mar 03, 2018 @ 18:00:36
Apparently it doesn’t hurt but still…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aimer Boyz
Mar 03, 2018 @ 18:04:56
Doesn’t seem right, does it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ritu
Mar 03, 2018 @ 18:06:44
No. Not at all.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hugh's Views and News
Mar 03, 2018 @ 16:12:31
I love this. You could have entered it into the blog post competition. It made me laugh so much. Great research work on your part, Ritu.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ritu
Mar 03, 2018 @ 16:18:37
Aw thanks Hugh!!! Hmmmm…. maybe I should do a last minute second entry! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jennie
Mar 03, 2018 @ 11:41:44
This is funny!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ritu
Mar 03, 2018 @ 12:03:17
Gotta put a modern spin!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jennie
Mar 03, 2018 @ 14:59:58
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fourth Generation Farmgirl
Mar 03, 2018 @ 00:35:57
Great read and fun post, Ritu! Enjoy your weekend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ritu
Mar 03, 2018 @ 10:08:23
Thanks Tonya! Have a great one!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fourth Generation Farmgirl
Mar 03, 2018 @ 12:26:16
Thanks, Ritu. You, too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Erika Kind
Mar 02, 2018 @ 21:13:36
Haha… love your story! Oh, those modern times and too much social support from the government.
I remember that raven legend from my visits to the Tower of London.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ritu
Mar 02, 2018 @ 22:13:55
Could you imagine if ravens really were affected like the younger generations???
LikeLiked by 1 person
Erika Kind
Mar 02, 2018 @ 22:17:53
It’s the evolution… lol!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ritu
Mar 03, 2018 @ 10:07:57
Lol!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Michael
Mar 02, 2018 @ 18:37:50
Fascinating story Ritu. I only recently heard the story of the ravens in the Tower. I think it was on QI…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ritu
Mar 02, 2018 @ 20:06:12
Glad to bring you something fascinating Michael!
LikeLiked by 1 person
dornahainds
Mar 02, 2018 @ 18:31:06
Wonderful! And a Great reflection of the so-called today’s youth, for sure.. 😎🥀😎🥀😎🥀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ritu
Mar 02, 2018 @ 20:05:41
Glad you enjoyed Dorna 😍
LikeLike
robbiesinspiration
Mar 02, 2018 @ 17:51:53
Ha ha, Ritu, a jolly good take on the prompt. I hope your arm is feeling much better now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ritu
Mar 02, 2018 @ 17:58:32
Glad you enjoyed Robbie! It’s getting there!!! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
syl65
Mar 02, 2018 @ 16:01:51
What are we going to do with the ravens of this generation! 😄 Thank you for sharing the London history Sister!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ritu
Mar 02, 2018 @ 16:06:06
Lol!it’s the younger generations of every species Lol!
LikeLiked by 1 person
syl65
Mar 02, 2018 @ 16:08:32
Lol!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
OIKOS™-Redaktion
Mar 02, 2018 @ 15:47:20
Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Annette Rochelle Aben
Mar 02, 2018 @ 15:24:40
Wow, I loved reading this a couple times…. Makes one wonder whose wings needed to be clipped, eh?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ritu
Mar 02, 2018 @ 15:32:22
Glad you enjoyed! I feel so sorry for those ravens!
LikeLiked by 1 person
willowdot21
Mar 02, 2018 @ 13:07:55
Love this one Sis it’s gorgeous 💜🌹🌹
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ritu
Mar 02, 2018 @ 13:26:13
Thanks sis 💜💜💜
LikeLike
willowdot21
Mar 02, 2018 @ 15:47:43
Pleasure it true 💜💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Norah
Mar 02, 2018 @ 11:49:19
Thanks for adding the backstory to your story, both of which are fascinating.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ritu
Mar 02, 2018 @ 11:59:30
Thanks for Appreciating Norah 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
pameladbeverly
Mar 02, 2018 @ 10:06:22
Ha ha (raven selfies) although the history of the ravens in London is sad. Actually it is outrageous, in my opinion. The birds are essentially prisoners.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ritu
Mar 02, 2018 @ 10:12:28
They are… clipped wings and all… I know they get fed and everything, but that is not natural for them at all, to be stuck in one location, not able to really fly…
LikeLike
Aimer Boyz
Mar 03, 2018 @ 16:59:54
I agree. Criminal to maim birds because of a fable 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ritu
Mar 03, 2018 @ 18:00:05
It is cruel indeed
LikeLiked by 1 person