The mouse trailing flowers from his whiskered mouth scampered into the zoo cage. He crouched then leapt, clung and climbed up the black-tipped tail that stretched up into the sky.
The mouse traversed the latticed flank, ascended the curve of the giraffe’s mane.
The giraffe chewed acacia leaves unperturbed.
The mouse wove a crown of cornflowers between her horns, and descended her snout.
Black eyes looked up into brown. The mouse’s heart pounded hard.
He slipped.
The giraffe’s black tongue flicked out and rescued the falling mouse. Gently she bowed down. Her cradling tongue uncurled.
They kissed their farewell.
Bill West lives in Shropshire, England. He is a member of the Shrewsbury Scribblers Writers’ Group, I*D Writers’ Group and a number of on-line Writers’ Communities. His work has appeared in Boston Literary Magazine, FlashQuake, Mytholog, Heavy Glow, Right Hand Pointing, 21 Stars Review, Foliate Oak and other places.
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28 Responses to “LOVE MADE THAT TINY HEART THUMP • by Bill West”
Comments
« Interview with Oonah V Joslin | Home | VOICE MAIL AFFAIR • by R.A. Lewis »
February 15th, 2008 at 1:07 am
What a great flash, Bill! A genuine twist on the forbidden love theme. Hoping to see more of your stories here.
February 15th, 2008 at 1:23 am
That’s plain silly. A mouse can’t get hurt falling to the ground, no matter how far - its terminal velocity is too low. On the other hand what the giraffe did ran the risk of some reflex cutting in and killing the mouse.
February 15th, 2008 at 1:49 am
The surreality is just part of what makes this genius. I wish I had your wild imagination, Bill!
February 15th, 2008 at 3:20 am
“The mouse wove a crown of cornflowers between her horns, and descended her snout.” That is both wildly imaginative and very sweet. I wish I could think up stuff like that, Bill.
February 15th, 2008 at 4:23 am
Thanks Sarah, Peter and Oonah.
Peter, it is that kind of speciest argument that true love has learnt to ignore :¬P (but thanks for commenting)
Bill
February 15th, 2008 at 4:47 am
Surreal and imaginative!
February 15th, 2008 at 5:33 am
Thank you GMoney
February 15th, 2008 at 7:50 am
It overcomes all Bill.
Wonderful & happy flash…well unless some…action ensues. Now that could be messy - if you know what I mean?!!
February 15th, 2008 at 8:16 am
Thanks Avis
The mind boggles! :¬)
February 15th, 2008 at 10:11 am
Lovely …. great writing, Bill.
‘Twas the day after Valentines’ day…
Cheers
February 15th, 2008 at 10:39 am
Oh Gawd, now I have THAT image in my head
February 15th, 2008 at 11:04 am
Bill,
I like your story. Great imagery in crisp sentences.
Have you ever seen the children’s book, “Never Too Little to Love”?
I read your story this morning, and it seemed so familiar. I couldn’t figure out why, and it’s been kinda driving me nuts. I found the book just now.
It’s a tall book about a mouse’s love. You don’t see who he’s trying to get to at first, but he stands on all sorts of stuff, and falls down, and when you turn the page, the object of his affection is a giraffe. She bends down and kisses him. And she has a garland of flowers on her head. Weird, huh?
What’s all this about mice and giraffes?
Anyway, thanks for driving me mad all morning. Good story.
February 15th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Reminds me of this old definition:
The Height of Ambition: A mouse crawling up an elephant’s leg with rape on his mind.
February 15th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Love this story - more please!
Sarah
February 15th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Loved this Bill. Made me smile.
Rosie
February 15th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Thanks for commenting Jordan.
Hope it didn’t give you vertigo :¬)
Bill
February 15th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Bill,
nice and quirky, quaint without being Disney.
Cheers
Mark
February 15th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Thanks John
Funny, that is what my wife said. Dinner is tomorrow apparently ;0)
Bill
February 15th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
LOL,
good story
February 15th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Hi Kevin
No, I don’t know that one. Unless it is an old one (my youngest son is in his late teens) I wont have seen it.
Synchronicity! Sounds good though.
My wife loves giraffes so this one was for her (a little late - yes, we were an unlikely pairing, but one made in heaven, or someplace equally as good)
The mouse idea came with the flowers but the idea of the garland didn’t come until he reached the top!
Thanks for commenting.
Bill
February 15th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Thanks Steven
Bill
February 15th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Hi Sam
LOL
Bill
February 15th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Hi Sarah
Thanks for the kind words.
I will see what I can do. :¬)
Bill
February 15th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Thanks Rosie.
Bill
February 15th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Thanks Mark
I was thinking more Pixar Animations on speed :¬)
Bill
February 17th, 2008 at 10:37 am
One of the best love stories ever. Unforgettable!
February 17th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Thanks Rena.
Loved Peter & Sid by the way.
Bill
March 4th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
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