Image: http://publicdomainarchive.com/public-domain-images-vintage-kids-toys-books-fisherprice/
The opening sentence: “Nothing is ever as easy as it looks.”
It was those words that echoed in my mind from day one. Understanding their language didn’t seem all that hard. After all it was a series of grunts and groans. How hard could be it?
Well let me tell you those grunts and groans each had a context, the context had its own grunt and groan and to further add to the problem from town to town there was an accent to deal with.
So a simple request like: Can you tell me where the post office is? Came back in a variety of ways.
In one town:
Ench yar discut fuk eh.
In another town:
Yeah mate ya jistgooutthadorr and ternlift then right then liftagin…..
It was so confusing. Having a conversation was always beset with problems.
In the pub one night one guy asked me:
‘Arck ya frum aother planit?’
I said no I was Sydney in Australia, he said ‘ arck ya not uman?’
I left and never went back, this was a crazy place. I think I’ll go back to where I have come from where the language is precise and not a concoction of miscellaneous grunts and groans.
Written for: https://rogershipp.wordpress.com/2016/02/26/flash-fiction-for-the-purposeful-practitioner-week-9-2016/
Morpethroad 
I love it! Great idea on the writing prompt!
Thank you so much. Not being American San Francisco I know little about and the ABC can be a challenge from time to time…have a good weekend…
Have a good weekend as well – and I think you did very well — great ideas 🙂
Thank you, I do try…..Michael
I like how you took the ABCS in the prompt and mixed it up for your story. Super creative!
Thank you Jade, hmm….it’s just how it all came out…
😀
😀😃
Vividly reminded of the time I spent traveling the uk. Those northern accents get you every time.
Yes they can Steph. Thanks for stopping by, hope you are doing well.
Doing great, just got my nose to the grindstone with Uni. How have you been?
I am well thanks. It’s been so hot down here, hopefully it will begin to cool down as Autumn approaches.
Good luck with your studies.
Heh, yes, divided by a common language…
Thanks Sonya have a good weekend
LOL! Michael, the accents from different parts of our world do often sound like they are from a different planet. Australian accents are really hard for me to understand, just like your story. That could easily have been me! Great story!
Joy I sound very clear when I speak….lol…though some American friends do ask me to slow down when I do speak.
Hahaha! I would probably one of those too. I’m from the southwest in the USA and we talk a little slower here.
I met one on my trip thru Europe so I have an idea of how you speak.
Haha!
😊
Great story, Michael.. you did an amazing job with the prompts 🙂
Hello Lori, thank you. You are very kind…
My pleasure, Michael 🙂
Accents can be like foreign countries at times. Great idea for the prompt!
Thanks Roger, good prompt to write too.
Thanks