
#CCC61
Liz sat at the kitchen table. The tea pot was still full, the tea cold.
Open on the table was a brown paper package with an illegible postmark. Instead of bubble wrap, the wadding was sheep’s wool, the lanolin having left a greasy film on her fingers.
The packet had contained a single giant seed, rounded at one end, pointed at the other, curled like a speech mark. The seed was enamel hard, the surface patterned with oily rainbows as if it had lain for years, burrowed deep inside the mouth of a hungry oyster.
At first she’d cradled it in her left palm, coming to terms with its weight, the heat of its skin.
Then the seed shivered. Lay still. Shivered again… As if a tiny heart beat inside.
That was when Liz decided she didn’t want to hold it anymore.
***
Written for Crimson’s Creative Challenge #61. See the pic and join in here.
And if you’re wondering how I came to write a story about a giant, pulsating seed… Well, the image looks like a giant hothouse to me.
I know I set the limit to 150 words, but in this case… I’d have been delighted had you written more. You had me intrigued with your giant seed. π
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, thank you, Crispina. I’m so glad you were drawn in. It was definitely the case with this one that I could have written more, so perhaps I will in the future. Thanks again
LikeLiked by 1 person
And my thanks to you for contrinbuting
LikeLike
Such a great photograph. I could have gone in any number of directions. I had just sown some sweet pea seeds, so perhaps my mind was already drifting that way
LikeLiked by 1 person
Seems likely. Always look forward to reading yours… yours and Dales. π
LikeLike
π
LikeLiked by 1 person
Btw, what do you think is in the seed. I have my own ideas
LikeLiked by 1 person
In truth, I hadn’t given it thought. I have Kerrid pick up a palm-sized seed from the shores of the Boundless, which I think was probably some kind of tropical tree. But your question-mark shaped seen? The scientist in me says its shape is indicative to its needs of survival, while the poet sees it as a clue to what it’s to become. Something that raises questions. Something from another world? Or maybe it’s not a seed at all, but a intergalatic space craft?
LikeLike
Hmm. I quite like the space ship idea, though I hadn’t considered that myself. It’s definitely something out of the ordinary, that’s for sure
LikeLike
We tend to think of life from other systems as being, sizewise, the same as us. Ridiculous. The most prolific non-plant and non-fungus life on our planet are the smallest of small…
LikeLike
That’s what I imagine alien life will be when we find it- microbial or at least not walking, talking, ray gun weilding small greys
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed, must agree. I once saw an artist’s impression of life on Jupiter… wonderfully colourful balloon-like creatures that lived in the gases.
LikeLike
Wonderful idea, though π
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed. π
LikeLike
This was wonderful and I echo Crispina. Want more!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Dale! So glad you liked it. I’m tempted to write more, I must say. Thanks for reading
LikeLiked by 1 person
Woot! Don’t let us stop you!
LikeLike
π
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it’s drawn me in. What will grow from this strange seed? π
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much! What do you imagine it’s in there? I suspect this sprang from the fact I’d just sown some sweet pea seeds, though I’m hoping they won’t develop a pulse of their own! Thanks for reading
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmm, could be something enriching, or something that takes as it grows, quickly enveloping, subduing, strangling… π
LikeLike
Ah, I do like the way your mind works! I think it might well be something like that, perhaps something that begins well and ends … Not well π
LikeLiked by 1 person
A touch of the sci fi or horrors creeping in there – liked the last line Lynn, you should extend this piece
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Alyson. Ooh, I am drawn to the horrors, though never very fortunate ones, I prefer the creeping dead type π. Thanks for reading
LikeLike
You’ve included some lovely detail and description, Lynn. The film of lanolin left on her hands, the enamel hard seed case – I think it’s the exactness of these descriptions that draws us in.
Nice story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Penny. Really glad you felt the descriptions worked, especially the exactness of the detail. Glad you liked it
LikeLike
bravo! Well done!
LikeLike
Thanks so much π
LikeLiked by 1 person