EMPTY NEST - a hundred word story

EMPTY NEST

That garden shed was a bone of contention from day one.

He wanted a man-cave to store his tools, while I envisaged a quiet retreat for writing. Grudgingly, we shared the space, each snarling when disturbed by the other.

Until sparrows converted his crusty, gnarled gardening glove into a nest. Stealthy as thieves, we watched noisy hatchlings feed and fledge. Indulgent, we brought insect gifts and wiped their crap off tools and books, naming each baby.

Then one morning they flew out to claim the sky.

We cleaned up silently, united in our grief, as bereft as university parents.

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Thanks to Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers on her blog   https://rochellewisoff.com/  and to Douglas MacIlroy for the photo prompt.

I was away last week for three days, celebrating my daughter's birthday in Ireland, and did not visit as many other FF blogs as usual, for which I apologise. Must try to do better, as the teachers used to say - perhaps they still do?

PARENT PROTEST POWER

This was the sight that met our eyes on our way home today - parents collecting their children from the school in Parque de la Reina.
Something you see everywhere, right?
It nearly didn't happen here. The Cabildo decided to extend the school to take senior pupils as well as infant and junior, and they were going to do start work this month. Apparently this would have made the school too dangerous for the pupils so the summer holiday was to be extended indefinitely.
What about our children's education? The parents complained and actually changed the minds of the authorities. What happens next I don't know, but it's proof that - sometimes at least - it's worth making a fuss.