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Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Don't Bug Me! (FF)



As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed into a gigantic insect.

“Well, this isn’t going to do much to add to my popularity,” Gregor thought. He hoisted himself on his painfully thin spindly legs and wobbled out toward his family.

“Boy, I’m not very coordinated,” he thought. “I used to be able to fairly well fly through the air.”

“Gregor!” screamed his mother,”you’re a bug!”

“Tell me what I don’t know,” replied Gregor.

“We’ll have to get you to a specialist,” said Gregor’s father. “Maybe they can turn you back into bacteria like all the rest of us.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Poor Gregor’s plight is nothing to sneeze at. Turning a bug back into bacteria has got to be almost as difficult as being an executive at Sony Pictures these days.

My story based on the picture prompt above is just one of many such stories authored by the Friday Fictioneers which you can access by clicking here. I know you'll enjoy them.  

Now don't bug me!

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29 comments:

  1. AnonymousDecember 17, 2014 at 8:10 PM

    Well, if you're a bug wanting to turn back into bacteria, then the doctor isn't flu with you.
    Just be careful that you don't go viral.

    Randy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Perry BlockDecember 18, 2014 at 12:03 AM

      I don't think there's much chance I'll ever go viral unless it's within the original definition of the word, courtesy of Gregor. Thanks, Randy

      Delete
  2. AnonymousDecember 17, 2014 at 10:59 PM

    Nice spin on Kafka - what if the metamorphosis wasn't a backwards step?
    Cheers
    KT

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Perry BlockDecember 18, 2014 at 12:04 AM

      Yeah, that was the idea. I guess everybody prefers their own species, even if they're a germ.

      Delete
  3. Sandra CrookDecember 18, 2014 at 2:58 AM

    Isn't that parents for you? Let him explore his new entomology ... he's probably been wanting to come out for a long time. Very kafka-esque.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Perry BlockDecember 19, 2014 at 2:57 AM

      Yes, but I understand there's more to it than that. Gregor is bi-life form; he loves bugs and bacteria. As long as I don't have to watch, more power to him.

      Delete
  4. Douglas MacIlroyDecember 18, 2014 at 5:43 AM

    Dear Perry,

    Franz is rolling over in his grave and Gregor Samsa is getting his fifteen minutes this week. Nice take on the prompt.

    Aloha,

    Doug

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Perry BlockDecember 19, 2014 at 2:59 AM

      I think he's going to get several hours, thanks to you. Too bad he'll be enjoying most of them flying up people's sinuses. Thanks, Doug!

      Delete
  5. Rochelle Wisoff-FieldsDecember 18, 2014 at 5:52 AM

    Dear Perry,

    For some reason your story bugs me. Some days are like that.

    Chappy Chanukah,

    Rochelle

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Perry BlockDecember 19, 2014 at 3:00 AM

      At least it didn't give you the flu!

      Delete
    2. Rochelle Wisoff-FieldsDecember 21, 2014 at 5:29 AM

      You didn't need to, Perry. I had the flu week before last. Not fun.

      Delete
  6. DawnDecember 18, 2014 at 4:02 PM

    Haha Perry, this is one of your best!

    ReplyDelete
  7. RussellDecember 18, 2014 at 6:03 PM

    I hate when that happens. Believe it or not, I used to be popular. Then I took up writing and people ran the other way like humor could kill.

    You're right about our chances of going viral. Odds of winning the lottery are far better.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Perry BlockDecember 22, 2014 at 1:42 AM

      Way better odds and I don't even play the lottery. I don't know if humor can kill, but in our hands it can certainly die!

      Delete
  8. AnonymousDecember 19, 2014 at 5:04 AM

    Perry,
    How do you do it.? You created another humorous story, this time out of a simple buggy photo. Love reading your post every week, although I don't always leave a message. My hat is off to a very gifted writer.
    Mike

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Perry BlockDecember 22, 2014 at 1:43 AM

      Thank you so much, Mike. But put your hat back on, it's December here!

      Delete
  9. brudbergDecember 19, 2014 at 4:50 PM

    Ha.. I knew it.. I would not be tho only one to identify Gregor in the picture.. I like your reversal of the tale...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Perry BlockDecember 22, 2014 at 1:44 AM

      Yes, you and I were both buggy this week, Bjorn! Thanks.

      Delete
  10. AnonymousDecember 19, 2014 at 5:56 PM

    What would be worse...bug or bacteria?! Take your pick. A Butterfly would be ok. Great take on the Kafka story. Funny story.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Perry BlockDecember 22, 2014 at 1:46 AM

      Thanks, Amy. Except for the fact that they only live about 15 minutes, I'd go for the butterfly too. I'm banking on at least another couple of hours,

      Delete
  11. margireneDecember 20, 2014 at 4:43 PM

    I remember when my kids metamorphosed overnight and started to bug the heck out of me. I think they were about 13. Thankfully they both changed back into human beings again a few years later.Fun story.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Perry BlockDecember 22, 2014 at 2:09 AM

      Sure wish mine would change back already. Thanks!

      Delete
  12. Dawn Q.December 20, 2014 at 6:57 PM

    Oh the crazy places your imagination goes, Perry! Your stories always amuse and entertain me with your creativity.

    ReplyDelete
  13. liz youngDecember 21, 2014 at 9:48 AM

    Your side-jumps are even more far-fetched than mine! Well done again.

    ReplyDelete
  14. AnonymousDecember 22, 2014 at 2:09 PM

    Dear Perry - Bug or Bacteria? Go figure which one is the nastiest unless someone has some penicillin, then I choose bug. Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays! Nan :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Perry BlockDecember 23, 2014 at 8:28 AM

      Death by Penicillin --- sounds like a cool movie title. Thanks, Nan, and happy holidays!

      Delete