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!”

____________________________________________________

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

Lance on March 10, 2012 at 3:59 am said:

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.
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- jesterqueen on March 10, 2012 at 4:04 am said:
  
  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
Anna Smith on March 10, 2012 at 4:03 am said:

Oh that's so cute 🙂
- jesterqueen on March 10, 2012 at 4:04 am said:
  
  Thanks! I can't wait to read all the entries (so far) tonight. It looks like there are TONS. This is so fun.
Weissdorn on March 10, 2012 at 6:40 am said:

Oui! Dix points pour le reine folle!
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- jesterqueen on March 10, 2012 at 12:34 pm said:
  
  Oooh! I never knew my French title before!! The Mad Queen. I love it!
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barbara on March 10, 2012 at 7:50 am said:

ahhhh – grotto. My head immediately went to books of Pern and dragons hatching . . . be careful, don't go too close . . . imprinting is immediate . . . Mama!

🙂
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- jesterqueen on March 10, 2012 at 12:35 pm said:
  
  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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The Gal Herself on March 10, 2012 at 8:06 am said:

I hope they're chicks and not little baby velociraptors a la Jurassic Park. Nicely done!
- jesterqueen on March 10, 2012 at 2:22 pm said:
  
  Can't you just hear them hiss as they pop out?!
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andra watkins
Twitter: andrawatkins
on March 10, 2012 at 8:26 am said:

I wish we had more than 33 words for this one. I'd love to read her description of the births.
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- jesterqueen on March 10, 2012 at 2:19 pm said:
  
  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.
booguloo on March 10, 2012 at 10:07 am said:

Liked it. Never seen purchase used in that way before.
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- jesterqueen on March 10, 2012 at 2:20 pm said:
  
  It's moderately archaic. 🙂 (which of course makes it all the more appealing to me!
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El Guapo on March 10, 2012 at 10:47 am said:

Great piece. Exclamation is definitely justified!
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- jesterqueen on March 10, 2012 at 2:21 pm said:
  
  Excellent. Thanks for dropping by! You're always a welcome visitor.
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kgwaite
Twitter: kgwaite
on March 10, 2012 at 1:09 pm said:

Ah, very nice. Terrific read.
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- jesterqueen on March 10, 2012 at 2:22 pm said:
  
  Thanks! I can't wait to find out who is guilty of what over in your blogworld!
Jill K. on March 10, 2012 at 2:18 pm said:

JQ, adorrrrable story in only 33 words. I think those exclamation points are totally earned 🙂
- jesterqueen on March 10, 2012 at 2:23 pm said:
  
  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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Diane Turner on March 10, 2012 at 6:07 pm said:

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.
- jesterqueen on March 11, 2012 at 3:54 am said:
  
  Thanks Diane! I think I'd be feeling my way along the cliff face the whole time, just like Susannah there!
natalie on March 11, 2012 at 7:53 am said:

When you think about what happens after the chicks hatch, it is a miracle and an appropriate use of !.
- jesterqueen on March 11, 2012 at 10:26 am said:
  
  That baby birds survive their first hours of life is pretty darned astonishing.
  Hop over and visit jesterqueen’s recent post Wasn’t his name something like Aaron Chello?
Dana on March 11, 2012 at 10:17 am said:

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!!!! 😀
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- jesterqueen on March 11, 2012 at 10:28 am said:
  
  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.
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Mel
Twitter: accordingtomags
on March 11, 2012 at 11:07 am said:

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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jesterqueen on March 11, 2012 at 12:58 pm said:

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!
trifecta on March 11, 2012 at 5:07 pm said:

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!
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- jesterqueen on March 12, 2012 at 5:52 am said:
  
  Thanks guys! This meme is extraordinary. Every week, I feel like I'm part of something meaningful and hard to define.
Evelyn on March 11, 2012 at 10:03 pm said:

Interesting take. Yes, nice to see a positive use. Golden eagles nest in cliffs. Fly with the best! Evelyn
- jesterqueen on March 12, 2012 at 5:49 am said:
  
  I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Jester Queen

Speaking truth to the king never sounded so foolish

Nestlings

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