Sunday, August 11, 2013

To The Proprietors Of The Tin Shed...A Short Story


I love this week's picture for the weekly writing prompt, but it caused me a problem. There are so many different ways a story could be crafted using this picture and these five words. I went with something a little different. Once again, here are the rules:

1) Use the photo and the 5 words provided in your story
2) Keep your word count 500 words or less.
3) You have until next Tuesday to link up your post.
4) Link up your story at these sites: Nicole, Carrie, Leanne, or Tena.
5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow.

This Week's Words:
 
Passport
Sunrise
Carousel
Travel
School
 
Here's what I came up with this week, and Carrie--sorry to hear about the sad news. It's so hard to lose a pet, especially one that love you and your family unconditionally. Take care.
 
To The Proprietors Of The Tin Shed
 
To The Proprietors of The Tin Shed:
 
My name is Filbert J. Snodgrass and I'm writing today to notify you of an issue I experienced in your store last Saturday (August 10). First, let me say, that I have been involved in the antique industry for the past 45 years, specializing in rare tin items. Never before have I experienced anything like I did on Saturday when I first set foot in your store.
 
My initial thought? Shock! At no time have I ever seen such a collection of antique tin whistles in my life! The police fire double whistle, circa 1932? Of course you'd have that one, although the three you have are quite exquisite. The Oriental Tweet, sometimes called the Sunrise Charm Whistle, is also a nice addition to any collection. But in my wildest dreams did I ever think you would have in a vintage Ohio Art carousel whistle. I haven't seen an example of this--in any condition--since my school days as a Rhodes scholar in England. I don't care what stamps you have in your passport, you could travel the world over and still have a difficult time finding one of those.

Rare items aside, the sheer enormity of your collection is staggering! Antique pipe whistles from Cameroon, tin tongue lips (or as the old timers call them, wolf whistles) you have in various colors and sizes, the Bulgarian tin whistle, the Chinese Red Army children's toy whistle...I could go on and on.

As I drove from your shop, I wondered why your collection has existed this long without antique dealers, collections--even auction houses--knocking down your door in search of buying it piece by piece or sold in its entirety. Your collection is, in a word, magnificent!
 
Then again, perhaps you do not wish to let the world know of the incredible treasures housed in the humble walls of The Tin Shed. Let it be known, however, if you ever wish to bring attention to both your store and your beathtakingly beautiful assemblage of tin whistles, please feel free to contact me anytime, day or night. I would LOVE to help share these items with the rest of the world.

Yours truely,

Filbert J Snodgrass
Snodgrass & Sons Antiques

Word Count: 377




2 comments:

  1. I love your take on this, writing a letter has worked so well. Well done.

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  2. Great job, I loved your submission. I have to admit that I'm partial to antique stores and you sound like you know your way around collectibles:)

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