PHOTO PROMPT © Miles Rost

It’s time for Friday Fictioneers again! This week, our host Rochelle Wisoff-Fields has chosen the image above by Miles Rost as our visual prompt.

Kyle looked at it from all angles but saw no other way out.

Normally, one wouldn’t think of an asparagus beetle as having mental health issues, but Kyle was the anomaly.

His spotted little life was fraught with angst. Depression, anxiety, and hunger were his only companions.

And all because of one dirty secret: Kyle hated asparagus. He’d tried to acquire a taste for it, but all he found palatable was ever-elusive chocolate.

Perched on the edge of a wire, Kyle closed his eyes and jumped.

Instead of plummeting to earth, Kyle soared aloft.

“Oh, yeah,” he sighed. “Wings.”

27 responses to “Kyle’s Conundrum”

  1. granonine Avatar

    Oh, yay! Maybe he’ll flutter off to a chocolate nirvana :)

    1. The Abject Muse Avatar

      I sure hope so. Kyle coulld use a break! :-)

  2. msjadeli Avatar

    Susan, your story cracked me up bigtime. The insect equivalent of Eeyore.

    1. The Abject Muse Avatar

      Thanks, Jade/Li! So glad you got a laugh. :-)

      1. msjadeli Avatar

        You’re welcome :)

  3. Keith's Ramblings Avatar

    A delightfully different take! What a wonderful thing for Kyle to discover!

    1. The Abject Muse Avatar

      Thanks, Keith. Much appreciated!

  4. jenne49 Avatar

    I love this take on the prompt: gentle and funny, but still showing the life of the outsider.
    In this case a happy ending. Let’s all hope for wings!
    A really inventive and clever story.

    1. The Abject Muse Avatar

      Thanks so much, jenn49!

  5. GHLearner Avatar

    And just when he enjoyed his new-found skill, master-flyer bird came along and… mission accomplished. What a unique and fun take on the prompt.

    1. The Abject Muse Avatar

      Thank you. So glad you enjoyed!

  6. draliman Avatar

    Poor Kyle :-o I hope he can find a support group for others of his ilk.

    1. The Abject Muse Avatar

      Hey, great idea! Surely he can’t be the only one afflicted.

  7. pennygadd51 Avatar

    Subtle and funny at the same time – nice! The twist made me grin.

  8. James McEwan Avatar

    Clear Kyle was a born in the wrong body, and should have been a chocolate-eater fly.

    1. The Abject Muse Avatar

      Agreed. Fate can be cruel sometimes.

  9. Nobbinmaug Avatar

    Even insects have that survival instinct. I hope that brings Kyle a new approach to life. Maybe try lettuce.

    1. The Abject Muse Avatar

      Lettuce might be the answer. Easier to chew and not so pungent.

  10. plaridel Avatar

    i guess he earned his wings somewhat. :)

  11. Mason Bushell Avatar

    That’d be me I fail at most everything, I’d surely bugger up suicide as well lol. Great story.

    1. The Abject Muse Avatar

      I knew a guy who shot himself in the head and missed. True story. Anyway, glad you enjoyed!

      1. Mason Bushell Avatar

        Now thats a skill to attempt to shoot yourself in the head an miss!

  12. neilmacdon Avatar

    A chocolate beetle. And with introspective thought. The planet may be in safe hands after our passing

    1. The Abject Muse Avatar

      Wouldn’t that be a kick? I worry about this ol’ planet.

Whatcha think?