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The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
Many thanks to those who sympathized with my angst over the pool closure last week. I’m happy to report the closure was short-lived and I’m back in the water.
A thank you to Russell Gayer, aka What’s His Name, for sending this historical tidbit. Truth is often much more interesting than fiction. 😀
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
NATIONAL BIRD
I was just a little girl, but I’ll never forget those huge red eyes. They’d pierce right through ya as they left a devastating trail of destruction. My father and other farmers, veterans of WWI, fought with all their might to save their wheat crops.
Day after day, the demons attacked. At last, the government declared war on them. Soldiers came to our aid bearing machine guns.
The enemy was more cunning than all the Australian army’s artillery. Despite their best efforts they only killed a few hundred.
There’s no denying those birds won The Great Emu War of 1932.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Great story! I’ve read about that just recently, because of the ‘Emanuel, don’t do it’ videos that went viral. Emus are something, aren’t they? We’re having the attack of wild boars on corn crops here at the moment with hunters trying to stop them. The pigs always win, smart and cunning creatures that they are.
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Dear Gabi,
I haven’t heard for the videos. Might just have to look them up. I had no idea about the Great Emu War until Russell sent an email to me last week.
Wild boars? I wouldn’t want to face them.
Thank you re my story. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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At first I wondered about the date, was it the first of April, No… Wheat and soldiers then took me to Ukraine. Then to the badger cull. All from one picture of a derelict building
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Dear Michael,
One never knows where a photo prompt will take them. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rod Hull (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_Hull) where are you now when we need you?
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Dear Neil,
Never heard of him before so I looked him up on YouTube. Hilarious.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Interesting piece of history.
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Thank you, Sadje. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re welcome Rochelle
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I loved the happy mermaid picture. Glad the swimming pool is open now.
Good story! I didn’t know anything about it. So I get to know something new.
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Dear Vartika,
Truth is often stranger than fiction and more entertaining, isn’t it? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle, the happy mermaid. 😀
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War is tough.
Loss of lives & of course, crops too…
Hope we have no wars anymore.
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Indeed, Anita. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Glad the pool is open!
Never battle Mother Nature! In fact, I would say many of the woes faced by humans come from battling Mother Nature. Oh well, I guess if you want to call someone tough, call them an Emu. (Just not an E-mu, which is a synthesizer)
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Dear Trent,
The poor emus were only doing what comes naturally, weren’t they? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Your tale prompted me to look further, what an amazing war it was. The army clearly hoped the emus would take flight – even though, of course, they can’t!
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Dear Keith,
The army couldn’t even send the emus on the run, could they? Glad you delved deeper into the history. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow! Never thought of emus as being marauding destroyers! Thanks for this new (to me) historical information 🙂
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Dear Linda,
This bit of history was new to me as well. Always happy to share. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a story of triumph…..for the Emus that is. This is crazy real life that I had never heard of. Thanks for the history lesson. Good job.
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Dear Jan,
Of course I have Russell to thank for the info. It was fun to write. Not sure I’d want to face off in a battle with emu. Thanks m’luv.
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Nature will have an opinion on the doings of humankind … And it is not surprising that they voice it … I mean, I can only imagine what the Emu’s blog posts look like!
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Na’ama Y’karah,
“Crazy humans. No match for my strength and speed. They’re kinda funny lookin'” 😉 Thanks for running by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A bird war huh? who knew?? Love this take on the prompt. It was refreshing and creative! ❤
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Dear Kimber,
I can’t resist history. Especially when it’s obscure and almost unbelievable. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Whether Kimber or Courtney, it’s nice to have you back. 😉 ❤
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One of those bizarre stories that are so fantastic, they can only be true! Thanks for that Rochelle, enjoyed the story and the facts.
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Dear Iain,
Who knew? I didn’t until last week. 😉 Glad you enjoyed and took the time to say so. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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There is so much that is so wrong about what “the government” did here I cringe. Thank you for highlighting another episode of “stupid humans in history.”
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Dear Lisa,
Perhaps it wasn’t the right thing to do, but obviously nature prevailed. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, I told my kids about the emu war and they somehow weren’t surprised. You’re very welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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A slice of history well told.
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Many thanks. Neel.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Bird Woman of Belton (WTF)
I’m thrilled you were able to educate the masses on this unusual piece of history. Unlike thier cousins, the ostrich, these birds didn’t bury their heads in the sand and hum the theme to Jeapordy while artillery shells exploded around them.
Thankfully, we don’t have to worry about destruction from flightless birds that swim, such as penguins, and their pesky little kinfolk–mimes.
Happy dog-paddling
Outback wrangler
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Dear Outback Wrangler,
I hope your arms don’t get too tired with all that dog paddling. Of course you have two great coaches in Liza and Grace. Do they throw you a bone for your efforts?
Thank you for the history lesson. I never knew about the Emu. They say when you learn something new your brain develops new wrinkles.
Just remember a mime is a terrible thing to waste. Keep paddling.
Shalom,
Bird Woman of Belton W(T)F
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Dear Bird Woman,
I think you’ve got the quote wrong.
It’s either “A mime is a terrible thing.” or “A mime is a terrible waste.”
Emus on the other hand are only good for Liberty Mutual commercials (which I’m sick of).
Have a blessed day,
Outback Wrangler
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Dear Outback Wrangler.
Feh on Lemu Emu and the other nutball. Gimme the British Gecko any day.
Happy Sunday,
Bird Woman of Belton W(T)F
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Dear Rochelle,
That is just so crazy, I have to agree with Russell… real life is stranger than fiction and definitely can be more entertaining! When will humans learn? Probably never…
A very different type of historical fiction for you! Bravo!
Shalom and lotsa flightless love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
Humans? Learn? Pfft. This was fun to learn and write about. G’day mate.
Shalom and lotsa swift hugs,
Rochelle
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🙂
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Very interesting story! I’m getting educated through these 100 words.
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Thank you, whoever you are. 😉 Always happy to educate. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you for this.
It was a lovely story and i learnt something new too.
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Dear Chioma,
Happy to educate and, hopefully entertain. Thank you
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This piece of history is new to me, as well. A lovely story too! Those Emus sure are tough!
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Dear Fleur,
I don’t think I’d want to pick a fight with an Emu, that’s for sure. 😉 Thank you
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh, Rochelle,
Indeed, the challenges of fighting with Mother Nature (and her creatures) are endless, embarrassing, and ubiquitous. Great story and back story.
Why Hitchcock’s “The Birds” flashed by, but with Emus, I haven’t a clue. 🙂
Swimmingly wishing you Peace,
Bill
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Dear Bill,
Can you imagine “The Birds” with Emus? There would’ve been no one left to tell the story. BTW that movie traumatized me for life. No wonder I need to swim so many laps. 😉 What a relief Hitchcock didn’t make Jaws or worse yet “Goldfish” and what would he have done with Flipper? Oy. I’m scaring myself.
Thank you re my story.
Shalom and waves of good tide-ings,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
As a child I watched movies that I could not manage today. I have no idea when I went soft.
Peace,
Bill
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Yoiks! I had no idea! You always inspire with a little bit of history. Thank you.
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Dear Lish,
How much do I love these bits of historical trivia? Glad you enjoyed. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Querida Rochelle,
I enjoy when I learn something new. Here’s a good one for those coctail party conversations.
I heard or read or perhaps viewed a program about Emu’s and the poerful legs they have.
An unusual subject for you. I had to read it twice to make sure I was reading it right.
Glad your back in the pool again 😊
Abrazos y carino,
Isadora 😎
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Querida Isadora,
Yep, it’s me with a little help from our funny guy Russell. Apparently Emus are a force with which to reckon. Gracias para sus palabras amables.
Shalom y abrazos,
Rochelle
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Yes, we may consider ourselves as compassionate humans, but it looks like the law of survival has the upper hand in our instincts. I had never knew abut the Emu Wars, i learn something new every week from your range of contributions. Thank you.
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Dear James,
I suppose there’s a thin line between conservation and compassion. And in the case of the Emu wars, the birds won. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s funny, Rochelle, I just saw something this week that referenced the Great Emu War. One of those stranger than fiction points in history. You did a great job dramatizing it. I’m glad the pool is open again. That’s important for mermaids such as yourself.
Have a good week,
David
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Dear David,
Weather permitting I’ll be doing some swimming in the Atlantic this week and next in North Carolina. 😉 I really need to live somewhere where I have both ocean and lap pool…the best of both worlds. At any rate it’s good to be back in the pool. Fortunately the shutdown was short-lived. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
PS Truth is definitely stranger, and often more entertaining than fiction. 😉
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As always very well written Rochelle. I had never heard of the great emu War. Thanks for educating me on a little bit of history.
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Dear Andrea,
This was “new history” to me, too. Glad you enjoyed. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Meticulously researched, and highly informative and entertaining. Nicely done, Rochelle.
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Dear Sandra,
All the words this author loves to read. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh my gosh, yes emus are the worst! They are like cats. They just do what they want, every one else be darned hahaha. As an Aussie I loved this one Rochelle!
Oh yes look up Emmanuel he is hilarious!
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Dear Laurie,
I’m so glad you enjoyed. I hope I didn’t butcher the accent too much. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love it!
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That is awesome! Baring immense natural disasters, I love when nature reminds us who’s really in charge.
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*Barring
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