ANTS
“What do they look like to you?”
“Ants,” Jin said instantly.
“That’s the standard answer,” the examiner replied, “You’ll
have to do better if you want to be allowed to land on this planet.”
Jin tried again. “A migrating herd.”
“They’re not migrating – they’re not actually going anywhere.”
“But they are
animals and there’s a lot of them.”
The examiner sighed. “I’m looking for a much simpler word.
Look at them again and what’s your gut reaction?”
Jin realised she was trying to help him and the penny
dropped. “Food.”
“Finally!” she smiled. “Pack your weapon and let’s go.”
We are off the England tomorrow for two weeks to help my mother celebrate her 90th birthday and to catch up with children and grandchildren. Fortunately my daughter here will water the garden, because the little rain we've had isn't enough.
Well, I was not expecting that end! Very enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteNicely done.
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm safe. I'm far too old and tough. :D
ReplyDeleteTee hee!
ReplyDeleteLoved the ending, Liz.
Helen (who no longer needs to sign her surname)
Thank you all for commenting. Glad thecending took some of you by surprise! Now i have changed the settings on my blog i can't respond to each comment individually. And it appesrs i have to prove i am not a robot too!
ReplyDeleteYou got me, too. Good job!
ReplyDeletejanet
Hope you get something tastier to eat than your own arm while you're over here.
ReplyDeleteHmm this was some excellent food for thoughts..
ReplyDeleteDear Lizzy,
ReplyDeleteThis great little tale reminded me of Heinlein's Tunnel in the Sky. Very good ending. (Enough to make me slog through the damn Captcha Crap below. Wish me luck.)
Aloha,
Doug
Very nice twist that had me fooled. Well done!
ReplyDeleteRemind me to avoid the shops from now on. Food indeed!
ReplyDeleteLove it when the ending is a surprise. Enjoy England, but you'll need your mac!
ReplyDeleteLizy,
ReplyDeleteWell, the aliens have to survive somehow. :-) Fun tale (unless I happen to be on the menu for the landing party).
Cheers!
MG
Great build-up and punchline. I was scratching my head along with him. Most enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteDear Liz,
ReplyDeleteI could have sworn I commented on your story but, in revisiting, I don't see it.
I do love the twist at the end. Could Jin start with Kardasians? Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Finally i have managed to get wifi out here in the wilds of sussex but only on a tablet so it takes forcever to type anything! Thank you all for commenting.
ReplyDeleteSo aliens have to take exams too. Good to know we will be eaten by only those who are qualified to do so. :-)
ReplyDeleteYeah, that sounds about right *sighs at the inevitability of being someone's food* Great twist :-)
ReplyDeleteBeing an ex-teacher and examiner, this little tale bought back memories. And I must admit, I always went for the chocolate after a tough session. So great ending and so real :)
ReplyDeleteThanks nicola - praise from a teacher means a lot to this ex-pupil!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant twist in the tail there :-)
ReplyDelete