Inspiration on Tap

Short Story

 

I saw it out of the corner of my eye as I forced my way through the tangle of undergrowth; a metallic gleam. I fairly threw myself towards the golden glow and tore away with my bare hands at the thistles and flotsam that grew all around it. I had found the tap.

 

Upon freeing the tap from it's bushy hideout I sat back on my knees to admire my discovery. It was a plain tap in every way; a single copper pipe sticking up out of the ground with a standard brass head. There was nothing to suggest that this was not an ordinary tap and nothing to suggest that this was indeed the tap that I had been searching for over the last four years. Somehow though, I knew it was the one.

 

I thought back to my grandmothers words. All the years we spent together, writing stories together and wandering in this garden for inspiration. Then just before she left us she told me, “There’s a tap in my garden Honey. Find it if you can because it is a tap of knowledge.”  Remembering those words made my heart start to pound. Here it was! The tap of knowledge!

 

It dawned on me then that through all my years of searching this four acre property I had never wondered what I’d do next. “Now I’ve found it, what do I do?” I asked myself aloud. My words sounded weird in the quietness of the bush. It was midday and even the birds were resting quietly. The sun beat down relentlessly and made me feel dizzy and breathless. 

 

Keeping my eye on the tap lest it mystically disappeared, I took a long drink from my camelback and decided that the logical thing would be to turn it on. This I discovered was more difficult than it looked. Eventually though, using both hands and my handkerchief for grip, I managed to turn the handle. The tap seemed to pause and burp for effect before spluttering out a stream of rusty orange liquid. I watched the water soaking into the earth below and shortly it ran clear and sparkling.

 

"What's meant to happen next?" I wondered. A knot of disappointment gathered in my stomach. "Maybe the others were right all along. Maybe she was talking nonsense. ...Or maybe I'm meant to drink the water... what if I was meant to drink the first drop that came out? It's too late for that now..."

 

"Help me Grandma."

 

At that moment, as clear as a bell, I heard her voice. “Need inspiration? Start to write. You can’t expect water to flow unless you first turn on the tap."

 

So that dear reader is exactly what I have done.

 

 

Author's Note

"Start writing something and the ideas will come. You have to turn the faucet on before the water starts to flow."
— Louis L’Amour

Appreciate any feedback! :)

Reviews

[Carol Cashes]

This is well written and brilliant. Granny knew...they always do.

[Stan Lee]

How do Grandmas know so much? It's amazing! Thanks for reading & reviewing. :)

[Jacob Clifford]

Marvelous. Probably the best "writing inspiration" story that I've read. Instead of lamenting the lack of inspiration, you take advice and make a story out of it.

[Stan Lee]

lol, and I really need to start taking my own advice and get some more stories happening! Thanks a lot for your read and review. I'm glad you liked it Clifford. :)

[Shannon]

A magic tap that takes us to the beginning of every story that will ever be written. It's a glorious intro to each one, Andronicus.

[Stan Lee]

Thanks for reading my story S.Mi :)

[alanwgraham]

I like it! It happened to me a couple of years ago! I got a bit high and 'the tap' was turned on and its still running. I like how you greated a bit of mystery and then all is revealed.
You might like to look at my poem 'manicarus' describing what it was like for me.
Well done.
Alan

[Stan Lee]

Thanks for your review Alan. I'm glad you like it :)

[Woody]

and lo and behold! you've come up with something original and magic. another little gem, Andrea. you're the master of flash fiction :)

[Stan Lee]

Ah Woody, Thank you so much for your encouragement. You're too kind.
I wrote this many moons ago now... like the word "flash fiction" ... my ideas for short stories seem to come in flashes too. :)

[Riddhi]

Very nice story and it says the truth that first we should start writing something and then the ideas will eventually come.......well done...

[Stan Lee]

Thanks for reviewing my story Riddhi. Glad you liked it. :)

[Beccy]

So much enjoyed this wonderfully unique story; and how very true your words ring.

The mind is the biggest reservoir in the world.


Beccy.

[Stan Lee]

You're right there Beccy. Exercise your mind and great things will follow. Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for reviewing.

[Robert Parlange]

Great symbolic story. Thanks for writing it. Sometimes, though, if feels more like regurgitation. Too much college.

[Stan Lee]

What feels like regurgitation? Very happy to hear you liked my story. Thanks for taking the time to read and review. :)

[Robert Parlange]

In college we had these things called “blue books.” They were small composition books that were used as answer booklets for tests. The professor would write a few questions on the board and we were to basically fill up the blue books with answers: mental regurgitation of everything we were supposed to have learned during the semester. Sometimes physical regurgitation after.

The joy of learning.

[Stan Lee]

Oh, I see what you mean now...writing feels like regurgitation sometimes...?

[alifeacoustic]

:P Wonderful. Inspiration within inspiration. A story written by inspiration, for inspiration. Excellent read, thanks for sharing.

[Stan Lee]

Thanks for reading and reviewing! I really appreciate you taking the time. Inspiration from an inspirational quote about inspiration. :P At least it worked that time. :)

[alifeacoustic]

it worked very well. An original piece written wonderfully.

[ReverieJones]

Just a charmingly good read. A piece of coal pressed into a diamond. You also managed to brighten my day.

[Stan Lee]

Well; ReverieJones! First and foremost I am extremely pleased to hear that your day was brightened by my humble little story. :) After quickly reading your profile I admit I am in the same category as yourself when it comes to writing stories.
Thank you so much for your kind comments. I really appreciate you taking the time. :)