Welcome to the first Haibun Thinking challenge.
This week I have chosen the prompt below:
“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
– Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
I beg the forgiveness of you all for posing a second haibun/haiku but this idea came to mind and I had to go with it.
The seaman looked down on his rusty and well-worn craft. It would be soon that he would have to go a shore and seek the help of others for not only were his numbered but his entire vessel, his life and his joy were taking water faster than he could bail it out.
Today he thought I will venture ashore and make myself known to the people of this foreign land. No sooner was he ashore than he was approached by three locals. Oh no thought the seaman I feared the trolls would be out today and I am encountering three of the worst.
The trolls were infamous in the seaman’s world, they had on past occasions caused him grief as they had challenged his way and had then exiled themselves from his land.
Here they were again barring his way. Upon the seaman stating his concerns for his ship the three trolls invited him into their home, fed and watered him, saw to his ship and offered him safe passage out of the kingdom on condition he pay homage to the one held in highest of esteems the Enchanting Queen, Awesome Ruler of the World.
As it was a Wednesday the Awesome one was holding her weekly audiences and with a bit of luck the seaman could see her, pay her, her due homage, thus winning him favour out of their land.
The trolls made representation to the Enchanting Queen, Awesome Ruler of the World and the seaman came grovelling, as was his want, whenever he wanted something, and knelt at her feet.
Afterwards the three trolls enjoyed a cup of their finest ale toasting the Enchanting Queen, Awesome Ruler of the World, as she too liked a drop with her favourite trolls.
As they sat around the royal court they all agreed that sometimes life did move pretty fast and if you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it. And none of them wanted to miss a thing.
seaman in trouble
trolls ready to the rescue
toasting their success
Written for: http://haibunthinking.wordpress.com/2014/01/21/haibun-thinking-week-1-january-21st-2014/
Morpethroad 
Great story Michael, I really enjoyed it. Your Haibun is short and snappy and says it all.
Thank you so much Lyn you are very kind.
I’ve never done a Haibun, I just conquered Haiku, a poet I am not. I really enjoyed your story. So what’s the difference between a Haibun and a Haiku?
If you read the Haibun Thinking page:
the guide for a haibun is set out there. Simply the idea is to try and write in the present moment, so in first person present tense, though you’ll read a variety of interpretations on it. Then your Haiku should compliment the haibun. My first one – Insane – is probably a better example the seaman was a bit of fun. Its a good exercise just getting your head into the right space for it….I like doing them…
Thank you Michael, I will look into it, although I’m not sure at this time if I have time for another challenge. I will definately keep it in mind.
Haha I love that 🙂
I was discussing this with Anja today so she was the only one of you awake so we decided to add it…..glad you see the joke.
😀
Thanks for showing me what a Haibun is. Can´t write poetry but love to read it, and good writing. Good poetry for me when I read it is like my yoga.
Thanks Charley, that is a lovely comment. Give it a go, it’s fun. Thanks again for reading.
My pleasure.
Wonderful story and message… I enjoyed too. It is not easy for me to write Haibun but haiku much better, I try sometimes. Thank you dear Michael, love, nia
Thank you Nia, yes please try, I will help you if you like.
You already know my opinion of this 🙂 Sorry I fell asleep as you posted it. lol Love it.
Thanks Anja, yes I do know….hope you are well rested???
Yep…get to go into work a few hours later thanks to the weather.
Great story! and your forgiven…LOL~
Thanks for sharing your inspiration! 🙂
Thanks Courtney thanks for reading my work.
Write ten if so inspired. Trolls can be blessings in disguise.
Thank you!
I like to play at Qweely too…you might enjoy this short verse:
http://juleslongerstrandsofgems.wordpress.com/2014/01/22/qweekly-summer-chill/
A charming story. I like trolls. they are such conning creatures.
They are but these ones are nice cunning….Thanks kim
Yes they are.
Good to know the seaman did not come to a bad end, and properly worshipped a goddess. Sounds like a good day, overall. 🙂 Great haibun and story.
Thank you Brenda it is good that the trolls turned out ok.
LOL I have a soft spot for trolls. As long as they don’t eat my friends.
Oh Brenda, treat them nicely and they’ll bring you riches. They may be ugly but underneath they have hearts of gold. Well two of them, one is a bit dodgy.
Hmm, but which one is dodgy?
Well amongst the trolls that argument rages daily sometimes. Often the Enchanting Queen Awesome Ruler of the World is called to adjudicate. Her word is always final, for that day anyway. It is the biggest troll who is the dodgiest.
That’s size-ist. I’m sure the thinnest would be the dodgiest, they are most likely to be plotting to steal all the cookies.
Not in this kingdom, or queendom…..but we trolls do have a code of honour, of sorts, depending on how many cookies are being offered.
AnElephant suspects that he is the dodgy one, dear Brenda.
He means well but is often a bit of a numpty!
You are jumping to conclusions good sir. Why should you be the one to assume the dodgy mantle? Though being numpty does give you an advantage.
Well, I suppose you can have a turn being dodgy if you really want one. I would think elephants would have a tough time being dodgy, being more likely to knock a mark down. Still, you can have some cookies… Just baked chocolate chip ones.
Thank you Brenda they taste just delicious.
Excellent, glad they came through well. And that you got one before my kids ate them all.
Thankfully all but one of mine have left home and he doesn’t eat my cookies….but my gkids like them…..
The Queen….I mean, I know which one is which 🙂 But…I digress……..
AnElephant apologises to Sir ST2, he did not realise you deliver a double helping this week.
But he loves your little tale, although he obviously has no idea who any of the characters can be.
Thank you it’s good to be anonymous even when we know who.
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