I can hardly believe it, but it’s already time for a brand-new writing prompt. Here’s how it works. First, take a good look at the illustration below. Though, before you do, I think it’s fair to tell you that the ink is still wet because Robbi just finished painting it. We were just about to go to bed when she suddenly stood up and said “Shoot,” “Darn it,” and “Shucks.”

She used this questionable language because she had forgotten to do her painting for today’s writing prompt. So I got in bed and she went to her painting table where she made all sorts of scratching sounds.  It may be quiet when you draw or paint. When Robbi does it, it kind of sounds like she is chopping carrots on a cutting board. Anyway, about ten minutes later, she brought me this illustration, which I absolutely love.

Take a long look at the painting and see if a story comes into your head. Let it roll around for a while. Sometimes stories take a few minutes to get going, so don’t be worried if you don’t know know right away what’s happening with that bird and that triceratops. But once you’ve thought about it for a minute or two, and once you have a sense of it, we’d like to know two things:

1) What is this painting called?

2) What is the story that came into your head when you looked at it?

When you’re done, please send me an email so I can post your story along with the others next Wednesday.

Remember, it doesn’t have to be a long story. And it doesn’t have to be a complicated story. It can be any old story in the world.

We look forward to reading your stories.

And for anyone else who likes this illustration, it will be posted for auction next Wednesday.