Nestlings

Susannah’s fingers sought purchase in the cliff face.

Chris asked, “Are the eggs safe?”

Trying not to disturb the silence, she nodded. Then, squinting into the grotto, Susannah gasped. “Oh look! They’re hatching!”

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This is my submission for this weekend’s Trifextra prompt, which asks us to submit a 33 word story with a justifiable exclamation point.

About jesterqueen:
Jessie Powell is the Jester Queen. She likes to tell you about her dog, her kids, her fiction, and her blog, but not necessarily in that order.

Comments

Nestlings — 32 Comments

  1. I just read this with my 7-year-old daughter looking over my shoulder so thank for not using bad language or talking about boobies.

    My daughter and I want to see these baby chicks. Cute 33, dude.
    Hop over and visit Lance’s recent post Tonight, I Have To Leave ItMy Profile

    • Oh, you lucked out on that one. You never know WHAT you're going to find on Jester Queen. But then, you knew that ;P

    • Thanks! I can't wait to read all the entries (so far) tonight. It looks like there are TONS. This is so fun.

    • Oooh! I never knew my French title before!! The Mad Queen. I love it!
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  2. ahhhh – grotto. My head immediately went to books of Pern and dragons hatching . . . be careful, don't go too close . . . imprinting is immediate . . . Mama!

    🙂
    Hop over and visit barbara’s recent post Camp!My Profile

    • RIP Anne McCaffery. One of the best authors I have ever enjoyed. The dragonsinger trilogy is going to be my daughter's introduction to Pern in a few years, when she won't just flip out over thread.
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  3. I wish we had more than 33 words for this one. I'd love to read her description of the births.
    Hop over and visit andra watkins’s recent post Roy ToyMy Profile

    • This one started out as a kid climbing a tree, finding the birds by surprise. Somehow, she morphed into a rock climber and the eggs became her deliberate purpose.

    • It's moderately archaic. 🙂 (which of course makes it all the more appealing to me!
      Hop over and visit jesterqueen’s recent post NestlingsMy Profile

    • Excellent. Thanks for dropping by! You're always a welcome visitor.
      Hop over and visit jesterqueen’s recent post NestlingsMy Profile

    • Thanks! I can't wait to find out who is guilty of what over in your blogworld!

    • Whew! If you hadn't, Susannah was just going to let go of the rock (and detach about a hundred safety stays) and plummet down the cliff 8)
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  4. Great images. I wanted you to have another 300 or so words to read what happened next. Perfect use of the exclamation point. Nice work.

    • Thanks Diane! I think I'd be feeling my way along the cliff face the whole time, just like Susannah there!

  5. When you think about what happens after the chicks hatch, it is a miracle and an appropriate use of !.

  6. This is so adorable! I see you used two exclamation points but I think they work here… it's making me a little bit crazy(ier? lol) that some people think exclamation points are best used when exclaiming anger or fear… why is it supposedly wrong to express joy with an exclamation point or few? I love this!!!! 😀
    Hop over and visit Dana’s recent post Unexpected ExclamationMy Profile

    • I'm just arrogant enough that I think some of the greats got big heads. Sure, F. Scott was an excellent writer. But he wasn't the be-all-end-all. I've heard this complaint of his before. And yeah, some people overuse exclamation points. They're the same ones who overdo. all. punctuation. Like that. Moderation in your exclamation would be a much better motto.
      Hop over and visit jesterqueen’s recent post Wasn’t his name something like Aaron Chello?My Profile

  7. Grrr. My comment booted me out. It wasn't that bad, I swear! 😛 I don't know how I missed reading yours this weekend, I always keep and eye out for yours.

    I love this one! So cute…unless they are alligators or an alien species hatching. I'm hoping they are Mourning Doves instead. 🙂
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  8. Grr indeed — I hate when the comment form gets evil. And really, given that this is MY blog, it ought to be able to handle absolute vulgarity!

  9. Thanks for linking up to Trifextra this weekend. I love your baby birds/crazy, creepy dinosaur babies. And I absolutely agree that exclamations can be used for joy and not just fear or anguish. Nicely done!
    Hop over and visit trifecta’s recent post Trifextra: Week SevenMy Profile

    • Thanks guys! This meme is extraordinary. Every week, I feel like I'm part of something meaningful and hard to define.

  10. Interesting take. Yes, nice to see a positive use. Golden eagles nest in cliffs. Fly with the best! Evelyn