Crunch: The Umbrella
Writing Exercise #19
Another visit to dip into my own well of prompts, but this time + weather because it was stormy here yesterday. Sorry I’m late!
If you have ideas for Prompts, Crunches, Sprints, Relays, Stretches, Fables, or other writing exercises in the future, please leave them in the comments! If you would like to write your own take for this exercise, please comment with a link so that I can see what you wrote and support your work, maybe even share your version with my subscribers. Please let me know if you have any thoughts, comments, or constructive criticisms as well!
Enjoy!
Crunch: Write about a dirt path (+ weather)
He used to carry an umbrella with him everywhere. Just the way of things. He was frightened—frightened—of the rain. Even cloudy days filled him with worry. His heart quickened, he began to sweat—will it or won’t it, he thought, as he went about his business. And, sure, more often than not he looked a little strange carrying an umbrella around on a sunny August afternoon. But those few times, those special times—he looked like a genius.
Today was different. He had been talking on the phone. He stepped out of his house. He got in his car. He drove to the little trail. He arrived, he hung up. He reached behind the passenger seat—no umbrella. Panic. The sky looked clear. Could he do it? I can do it, he thought. Just a short little jaunt. He stepped uneasily out of his car, and found the dirt path in the woods, and he began his walk.
The walk was a looping trail, and when as much trail lay ahead of him as behind him—he heard a terrible sound.
Thunder.
A summer storm was gathering, it would sweep in—he could see the dark clouds behind the trees. His heart pounded. His hands shook. He wasn’t going to make it.
The pitter patter of the first drops landed like a volley of arrows. Then, the deluge. Thunder pounded. Rain bombarded him. He was soaked head to toe.
He smiled. Oh, he thought, this isn’t so bad.
(250 words)
Talk to me!
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Have you ever been unavoidably caught in the rain?
Do you keep a lot of stuff in your car, just in case?
What’s your favorite writing weather?
Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoy! Come back next week for another writing exercise!
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Thank you and God bless!
This made me want to get out and go for a walk myself. Well done!
1. I have; I'm not overly keen on it. I don't usually carry an umbrella anymore because I don't really drive; I used to have a Star Wars umbrella with a lightsaber-style handle, but alas, that was lost some years ago. C'est la vie.
2. I did when I was driving. Now, not really. Mostly it's the car seat for the kiddo, lol.
3. I...don't know that I've ever thought about it! Whatever doesn't knock the power out, is my thought. :) I will say, I do really love a grey rainy day; I don't necessarily like being out *in* it, but if I don't have to go anywhere.... my wife is the same way.
Hello, Scoot! This is David the Barbarian, back from a refreshing repast. I had an experience like that recently, the last day of my vacation out fishing. It was windy, overcast and drizzling, and I didn't catch much that day but it was still a great ending.
A very comfy story you've written, and I have been noodling a longer adventure type story, my Crunch might be a contribution to that.
https://open.substack.com/pub/bigdavesimagitorium/p/a-forest-path?r=bv9ve&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true