Georgia

Saturnday Mix – February 25, 2017 – Bastet

Hello!

I’m reading two books at present written by one of my favourite authors, Neil Gaiman.  One is “American Gods” and the other ” Anansi Boys”.  There are a few things that they have in common, one is that they’re about the old gods – those whom we’ve lost sight of and the other is that there are quite a few “tall tales”.

Tall tales are in fact stories that are so fantastic that they are obviously false.  American folklore is full of tall tales from Paul Bunyan to  Br’er Rabbit and many others in between.

Here’s one I just made up for our prompt today:

I was out walking the other morning when all of a sudden the sky turned grey and thick as pea soup.

A man dressed only in his dressing gown came up to me and asked if I‘d by chance seen a white duck.  I replied that I hadn’t.  He thanked me kindly and went on his way walking jauntily like an English Lord.

From under a cabbage out pops a white duck saying “That was close lad, you just saved my feathers from that old cheat!” And off it waddled.  

I stood and gawped as the sun came out again!

©  G.s.k. ‘17

So today I’d like you to write me a tall tale in 100 words … like mine.  And to get you started here’s a picture!

Under a willow
Under a willow

If you prefer poetry, you might like to try a series of shadorma – or perhaps a limerick!

There once was a man all a sheen
Dressed up dapper and grand all in green
He went to a concert
For a hussy to subvert
But was caught and wed by a bonny colleen.

©  G.s.k. ‘17

Once you’ve finished your story or poem, please tag: Mindlovesmisery’s Menagerie and Saturday Mix.  Ping or copy your link into the comments below and add your url to our Mr. Linky App.

Have fun and happy reading and writing!  Bastet

23 comments

  5. I too am reading American Gods – the re-issued edition that Gaiman wanted published, although I’m reading it inconsistently – i.e. in chunks – but it’s such a great story. Absolutely fascinating.

    I had read certain reviews and all – and the general idea was: either you’ll love it or hate it. So far, I’m loving it. And you?

    Great prompt 🙂

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    • I’ve read both editions of the book and I’m really not sure that they differ all that much – or rather, they do of course but even the former edition was great – I think, from what I understand, that Neil Gaiman has a bit of perfectionism in his character – so we might read another version of American Gods in 10 years from now 😉 . I’ve just finished his 10th Anniversary re-edition (which can also be listened to on the YouTube which I’ll do sometime in the future if it’s still up as he reads the introduction of the book – it’s 18 hours long!).

      As for loving it or hating it – I guess that can be true of a lot of things. I loved the book but then I’ve yet to find something written by Gaiman that I’ve not thoroughly enjoyed.

      Glad you liked the prompt! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      • I think he mentioned in the anniversary edition that there were some differences, but that most people would be damn hard pressed to find them. He mentioned it was really just about “editing” back in some of the details, content and scenes that had been cut. Either way, I’m not about to start hunting and pecking to discover it 😉

        True, like most things, but I recall him saying that American Gods was really very unlike most of what he had ever written – more “meandering” stylistically, and I’m thinking, as I read along – “seriously? If this is meandering? then praise be that I should only do it so well!” Of course, I’ve only read one other Gaiman – Neverwhere – loved it – and am currently polishing off a collaboration with Terry Pratchet – Good Omens – which is hysterically wonderful. So like most things, when people “depart” from their well established, then it does raise some eyebrows.

        Have a great week Georgia and thanks for sharing your thoughts 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      • Ah Good Omens – you’re so right that is hysterically wonderful – and he’s going on with Neverwhere I hear. The thing about Gaiman is that he’s found the magic writer’s knack of not getting pigeon holed – even Terry Pratchett had that problem to certain degree.

        You have a good one too – been nice chatting with you 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      • Thanks 🙂

        Neverwhere is an awesome story! If there is to be more, I’d be so excited! 😉

        It’s true, writers can get boxed in, and then either they get stuck and they slide (often the quality of writing slips a bit and becomes formulaic) or they fight like hell to write different stuff. Pratchett was no different in facing this, but he was a great writer.

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    • Hello dear Lorraine! Thanks ever so much for your participation – I’m really happy you enjoyed the tale and the limerick – and I’m off to see what you’ve come up with – I’m sure it’ll be great!

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  9. American Gods is one of my favorite books ever. I love everything in the series, so of course, Anansi Boys is another favorite. Neil Gaiman is a master crafter when it comes to giving old myths new clothes, and a writer god at the art of creating modern myths.

    The duck in your tale made me giggle. And the limerick turned the giggle into a cackle.

    Thanks a bunch for the prompt! 😀

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    • And I thank you for your wonderful comment! Yes I love how Neil Gaiman thinks and works, he has a straight forwardness that enthuses me! His ‘Norse Gods’ is out now and you can listen to him reading the book on YouTube.

      I’m happy you liked my scribbles … I was so happy that they popped up as I’m having a non-writing moment (or a lazy bones moment) which should have passed already but hasn’t. But I’m sure it will.

      You’re quite welcome and thanks for reading! 🙂

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