Fable: The Scrambled Eggs
Writing Exercise #1
We are back! After taking December off and using the time to write more than I ever would have if I just kept up these exercises to work on background projects, I’m excited to come back to you with regular writing exercises. These writing exercises have helped me dramatically with my craft of writing, so I want to keep it going. But I am giving myself permission to be experimental this year, and use these exercises for deliberate learning, more than just regular practice.
We are resetting the counter for the year! Back at number one! This exercise is a Fable1, where I take a story from my book of Aesop’s Fables and try to humanize them.
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!
Fable: The Fox and the Mask (#9)
“Good morning! You must be the new footman.”
“That I am, miss.”
“Have you met with Lord Reginald yet?”
“Not since the final interview. Is everything ok?”
“Oh yes, yes, fine, very well. Let me take you to Mr. Lewis and get you set up.”
The housemaid led me through the servants hall to a cluttered looking office space. “Mr. Lewis?”
“Ah, Henry. Welcome, let’s get you established and then we’ll introduce you to Lord Reginald.”
It was quite the flurry of activity. Fitting me for livery, taking my bags to my quarters, getting some instruction from Mr. Lewis. Soon, Mr. Lewis explained, it was time for breakfast. Mr. Lewis would ring the bell, and Lord Reginald would come down and eat a simple breakfast.
Before Mr. Lewis rang the bell, he took me aside: “Lord Reginald is…an acquired taste, let me say. He is generous and gracious as an employer, and you will do well here. But he is…well, he has some idiosyncrasies which some find challenging to work with. There will be no gossip or mockery in my servants hall, do you understand? If you find you are unable to work with Lord Reginald, I would be happy to give you a pleasant recommendation to some new employer.”
This was all so much, for a first day. “I, uh, yes, sir, I mean, it won’t be a problem sir, thank you for telling me sir!” I stammered.
Mr. Lewis gave me a long, stern look, and then rang the bell. “Come with me.”
= = =
The upstairs part of the house was magnificent. Gold accents were everywhere—beautiful, classical paintings and sculptures adorned every inch of the residence. The architecture was stunning, the furnishings immaculate. Mr. Lewis led me through the hall to the dining room where Lord Reginald took his breakfast. The other servants set the table and placed the small breakfast meal buffet style on a table on the opposite side of the room.
Lord Reginald entered, at length, in all his state. He was an impressive man—tall, square-jawed, clearly a man of strength and power. He was dressed in a fine suit and tie, his shoes shone brightly with their polish, his eyes were bright and sharp.
He smiled at Mr. Lewis as he entered, “Good morning, Mr. Lewis! What an uncommon pleasure to see you here,” he said as he took his seat.
“Yes, Lord Reginald, this is Mr. Terrence, your new footman.”
“Ah, yes, I see that. I remember you from the interview! Welcome to the household Mr. Terrence. Mr. Lewis will take excellent care of you, and I will do my best.”
“Thank you, Lord Reginald.”
“The first thing you should know about me, Mr. Terrence,” Lord Reginald continued, as Mr. Lewis was about to turn and leave— “Is that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Scrambled Eggs are a feature of this house! I make sure to warn everyone, since I eat so many—if you ever have occasion to do the shopping for Mrs. Jenkins in the kitchen, just remember that I only like scrambled eggs.”
“Yes, Lord Reginald.” I nodded, confused at this level of detail.
“Not regular eggs. Only the scrambled eggs. I don’t know how Mrs. Jenkins can tell the difference at the shops, but she has assured me multiple times that our store-room is full with only scrambled eggs from scrambled chickens. I can tell the difference in taste, you know—that’s my number one rule.”
“Very good, Lord Reginald.” I nodded again, more confused this time.
“Will that be all, Lord Reginald?” Mr. Lewis asked, hastily.
“Yes, yes. Thank you, Lewis.”
Mr. Lewis turned on his heels and led me swiftly out of the room. Once we were safely behind the servants door, Mr. Lewis turned on the stairs.
“He means—he likes to eat scrambled eggs, but…doesn’t seem to realize that scrambled eggs come from regular eggs. We tried to correct him once but…it’s better now to just go along with it.”
“I, uh…”
“There will be no gossip or mockery in my servants hall, Mr. Terrence.”
“Understood, sir.”
We descended the steps, and my head swirled.
(697 words )
Talk to me!
Your feedback helps to improve my writing. I would really appreciate a comment on your thoughts on this writing exercise. Consider telling me your thoughts about:
Have you ever met someone who was deceptively unintelligent? (Is it me?)
Do you know Aesop’s Fables?
How do you like your eggs for breakfast?
Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoy! Come back next week for another writing exercise!
Have you taken a look at the section called “The Volume” recently? All my longer-form stories are kept there! Be sure to take a look and catch up on any stories you’ve missed!
Thank you and God bless!
There is a number next to the prompt—that’s for my own tracking, they are numbered in my book. I understand there’s an “official” enumeration somewhere, but I am not following that.
I've heard of Aesop's fables; I couldn't say I'm familiar with them such that I could pinpoint a particular fable by number (Oh, of course, the one with the owl, that's fable 27). :)
I'm actually not keen on eggs much at all; now if we were talking waffles or pancakes, I do like that. Growing up we used to have pancakes on Saturday mornings and man, those were the best.
Seems Lord Reginald himself is a bit…well, scrambled. As for me, I like the steamed eggs my mom makes. We start by tossing the chicken in the steam room, massaging its shoulders, and giving it a seaweed wrap. Then once the egg is out, we roll it around on hot stones before finally cracking and whisking it then sticking it in the stainless steel steamer for a quick 10 min. You should try it sometimes. 💯