Young Writers Society

I poked at the pile of dung with the blade of my shovel, peering into the big mess. The foul odour was so strong at that point in decomposition that it made my eyes water. Of course, most normal human beings would find this patch of excreted waste materials repulsive-- but not me. No siree, Mr. Charles Arbut was not disgusted by something that every creature must be rid of in order to survive.

Honestly, I have no idea as to what all of the ha-bub is about when it comes to prodding at something so natural; but I'd really prefer it if my fiance held my hand, (which she had threatened not to do on numerous occasions), so I always forced myself to wear Latex gloves and wash my hands once I had returned home. My darling Patsi is a force to be reckoned with... just don't tell her that I had just so happened to forget my gloves that day, alright? I forgot to use soap when I got home, too, which may pose a vast amount of problems for my love-life if she were ever to find out.

But alas, this little trek was an important one. I was hot on the trail of a new species, pardon me, sub-species, of dung beetle; on that would revolutionize the way that biologists looked at the creepy little animals. Okay, so that may have been a bit of an over-exaggeration, but a man can dream, can't he?

Finally, after many minutes of prodding, something finally happened. A tiny black beetle with a shimmering shell scampered out from under the pile. I knew right away, judging by the disproportionate and rather ugly face, that this was the beetle I was looking for. Quicker than Flash and five times as determined as Batman, I pounced, landing with my hands cupped over a small patch of ground. One look up, however, told me that my mission had been a complete failure. A few feet away, the blasted bug was flying into the trees, too far and too fast for me to catch.

I smacked my head onto the ground, groaning in defeat. It always had to be me, didn't it? It always had to be poor old Charles Arbut.

Haha, I liked it! Your narration gives the story its own kind of levity that's pretty refreshing.

But I don't feel like the plot's entirely linear. If you had used past perfect tenses, instead of staying strictly in past, I think certain events/mentions of events would have stood out more clearly.

Other than that, I didn't see too much reason for change. I liked it.

Hey Isha!

Well for starters I have to say that this is probably the most unique thing I've ever personally read on this site.
Don't you just love those random writing prompts that mess with your creative juices??

Alright time to get down to business!(or at least someones business! XD)
Needless to say I died laughing when I read this. it is SO funny and quirky it is impossible to read this with a straight face- if someone can they either have no sense of humor or their dead. it's got to be one of those!

This is going to get a little weird but bare with me.

when I started reading this I didn't know what to think. it was so off the wall and different!
but very soon after you had me rolling on the ground with such quirky-ness. that is the only word to describe this piece as- Quirky.

I loved your main character to death, he was so wonderfully awkward and droll- so matter of fact and logical is was absurd. I loved how you had him musing on what his significant other thought of his "escapades" and her rules. it was thoroughly disgusting when you had him "forget" his gloves and go dung beetle hunting in bare hands.

I loved the fact you had no dialogue except what was going on in his mind, and how serious he was about his task- that made me as a reader laugh all the harder!

I actually think you have the basis for a really good (longer) short story here, after finishing it I wanted to read more!
I was left feeling very interested and attached to your main character and wanting to know if he ever did find his new species of beetle.

Great job Isha!
(I was feeling grumpy when I read this and I feel lighthearted now!)

It was a wonderfully light, fluffy, and hilarious read!