The Inventor

The Inventor

Everyone agreed Walter was a genius. Well, not every one. His older sister and his Mother saw him as a source of exasperation.

Walter would take hours to figure out how to do fifteen minutes of work so it came as no surprise, when told to rake the backyard, that the first thing he did was think.

There has to be an easier way, Walter thought. "Any ideas, Buster?" he asked his dog. Buster just wagged his tail.

In a flash, it came to him! Looking around, he scooped up his sister's jump rope, which was lying on the back porch, as he headed to garage.

"What mischief are you up to?" The voice of his mother startled him.

"Nothing Mom. Dad said I had to rake the leaves before I could go on the computer."

Turning, Walter saw his mother peering at him suspiciously. "Well OK but be careful," she said. "The tulips are in peak color and I want to cut a bunch for the table."

As Walter returned to the yard, Buster bounced up carrying his favorite ball.

"You want to play? Sit!" Buster obediently sat.

"Staaa-aaay," Walter whispered as he tied the rake to Buster.

Taking the ball, he rolled it across the yard with Buster in chase, the rake bouncing but leaving a path free of leaves.

It was then that Walter realized his mistake. Once Buster had the ball, it was time for his favorite game: Keep Away! Now Buster began to run, the rake careening wildly.

In slow-motion, Walter watched Buster run toward the garden and then cringed as the bright tulip petals soared into the sky like confetti.

As he heard a rising "Nooooo" coming from the house, Walter knew that he wasn't going to get on the computer today.

But, next time...



Notes

Word Count: 300 exactly.

An entry for April 21 "Daily Flash Fiction Challenge"  [13+]
Prompt: Write a story that includes a tulip, a jump rope, and a rake.

Thank you for taking time to read my words. I would appreciate it if you took a moment and left a comment. Your reaction, impressions, criticisms, - yes, even praise are all equally welcome.

Ken