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The Casket of Fictional Delights

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The Sweetest Thing

by Pauline Yates

Flash Fiction Amusing, Playful

The Billy Goat Gruff stood proudly in the centre of the bridge.
“It is safe to pass, my lady. I have defeated the troll.”
The lady goat glared at him. “You brute,” she bleated. She turned on her hooves, flicked up her tail and stalked off.
Billy’s ears drooped. He jumped down from the bridge and sat on his haunches next to the troll who lay on his back under the stone archway.
“It’s no use,” he lamented. “These new age girls don’t appreciate duels like they used to. At the rate I’m going, I’ll be left with a harem of two. While Goat Charming Hooves swoons the ladies with his golden horns and inbred charisma. I’ll be the laughing stock of Goatdom.”
The troll sat up and rubbed at a perfect indent of a hoof print on his forehead.
“Maybe I should have howled louder?”
Billy shook his head sadly then clambered to his feet.
“It’s not your fault I’m a loser. Here, let me rub it better.” He rubbed his curly horn over the blackening bruise. A clip, clop echoed overhead. Two white faces peered over the bridge.
“Oh,” said one female goat. “Will you look at that?”
A second blonde face looked down.
“Well isn’t that the sweetest thing? He’s helping poor old troll who fell off the bridge.” She nudged her friend. “Let’s stay here. It’s hard to find a true gentlegoat in these parts.”

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About Pauline Yates

Pauline fills every spare second in her day (and night) working on her stories. Her growing list of publications include short stories with Metaphorosis, Aurealis, Abyss & Apex plus others. She loves the challenge of a writing prompt and is a regular writing contest competitor. She lives in Australia

Pauline Tweets @midnightmuser1


Visit Pauline Yates on the web

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3 responses to “The Sweetest Thing”

  • I.Horsburgh says:
    October 14, 2016 at 12:06 pm

    Good fun, enjoyed this.

    Reply
  • Anne Elizabeth says:
    October 15, 2016 at 12:13 am

    Classic! What unworldly humour. This writer has a clear sense of the ridiculous. Loved it.

    Reply
  • Jane Moore says:
    October 16, 2016 at 1:58 am

    At last! Some well written fun. I enjoyed this work – simply great to read

    Reply

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Everyone at The Casket is hoping 2021 will be a better year than 2020.  We have some great short stories and flash fiction lined up for your delight.  We kick of the year with a story by Lydia Unsworth “The Smallest Boxes” and then for Valentine's we have a story by Dylan Brethour which will also be available as a podcast. Later in the summer we have a new Flash Fiction Summer Collection which will be published online and as podcasts read by Menna Bonsels and Richard Hodder.  We hope you enjoy the stories we have for you and look forward to welcoming you back regularly.

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Text & stories © Joanna Sterling 2021
Stories © various authors
Audio by Menna Bonsels
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