Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: ENVY (jealousy of another’s advantage) (02/12/15)
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TITLE: The Vendetta | Previous Challenge Entry
By Graham Keet
02/15/15 -
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Every September the little village of Southdowns holds an agricultural fair, bringing participants and visitors from near and far to view breathtaking displays of flowers, fruit and vegetables. The fair always culminates in a prize giving ceremony for the best produce in a variety of categories. Competitors range from professional farmers to local gardeners who concentrate on growing at least one prize specimen in order to win a category medal or, for the best overall specimen, the coveted Spillman trophy.
The winner of any category enjoys an elevated status in Southdowns, and if a local should win the Spillman trophy, he or she is guaranteed a position of reverential awe for the next twelve months.
“I’ve heard Joe’s pumpkin is doing pretty well too,” Joan Brownley remarked cautiously. “It should be a close contest.”
“He is not going to take the Spillman trophy again this year,” Bill spluttered, his face turning red. “Twice in a row is enough – I can’t bear to think of him winning again. This year it’s mine.”
“Take it easy, dear; remember your blood pressure. I certainly hope you do win, but from what I’ve heard, Joe’s number one pumpkin is already over a thousand pounds.”
Two nights before the fair began, in a dark corner of his greenhouse, Bill Brownley lifted the cover off a container and peered inside. “Ah, my little beauties, I’ve a job for you; soon you will be having the feast of a lifetime.” He rummaged in a wastepaper basket and, in the dim light, fished out a paper bag. Placing a stone in the bag, he poured in the contents of the container and tied the top closed with a piece of string. Then humming to himself, he set off in the darkness across the field that separated his property from that of Joe Springer.
On reaching the fence surrounding Springer’s property, he peered into the darkness and could just make out the huge form of Joe’s champion pumpkin. Taking careful aim, he flung the bag with its hungry contents over the fence, where it landed with a thud right next to the giant pumpkin. The bag burst open, releasing about thirty Borer Beetles; enough to destroy any pumpkin patch in no time at all.
‘Judgment day’ came and the judges weighed the pumpkins. Each pumpkin required a forklift to place it on the electronic scale, the anxious owners standing by in anticipation. After the weighing and careful inspection of each specimen, the results were: third place, Martin Henry with a pumpkin of six hundred pounds; second place, Joe Springer, coming in at nine hundred pounds; and first place Bill Brownley, with a pumpkin of one thousand and twenty four pounds.
Brownley was beside himself with pride. “Heard you had a bit of bad luck with your number one pumpkin, Joe, had to enter your number two.”
“Yeah, these things happen,” said Joe, shaking his head. “Borer Beetles - came from nowhere.”
“Too bad, too bad,” gurgled Bill, trying to hide the smirk on his face. “Well, I guess I’ll see you in the main hall later for the awarding of the Spillman trophy; if you decide to come.”
At five thirty the loadspeakers blared out over the fairground, inviting everyone to the main hall for the final award. Bill Brownley was right in front. “This year it’s me; yes, yes,” he sang under his breath.
Old Dr. Spillman, a world-renowned horticulturist, took the microphone. “This year the standards have been extremely high, and almost any of the produce on display could take the trophy. But one in particular has taken our fancy: weighing in at eighty pounds, twenty eight inches long, and sixteen inches in circumference; ladies and gentlemen, I present you with Joe Springer’s cucumber.”
The crowd erupted in applause, except for Bill Brownley, who stood spluttering, his face nearly the color of the prize tomato. He stormed up to Joe Springer. “Where were you hiding that thing, I thought you only did pumpkins?”
“Nothing like variety, old boy,” chuckled Joe. Then tossing a paper bag to Bill he added: “Next time you may want to take your name off the bag first.”
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Well done.
God bless~
The reader could feel his feelings of envy build.
Very plausible plot and setting.
Nice work.
God BLess~
Congratulations!