Can You Tell A Story In…

It’s time for a new story challenge. Here are your words…

Can you tell a story in 44 words using the following words in it somewhere:

  • TRIATHLON
  • DOLPHIN
  • STYLISH
  • ARISTOCRAT
  • TOFFEE

Last weekโ€™s challenge was to write a story in 24 words using the following words in it somewhere:

  • THESPIAN
  • GOAT
  • WONKY

Here are your fabulous stories:

Nicola Daly:

โ€˜Friends! Romans! Countrymen!โ€™ he bleated.

โ€˜Look at him thinking heโ€™s some great thespian,โ€™ she snorted. โ€˜Heโ€™s just a silly goat with a wonky doo-dah.โ€™

Trentโ€™s World:

Esmerelda, performing a wonky skit with a goat, had her sanity questioned

โ€œI am a thespian!โ€

A misunderstanding got her the Pride Day gig.

Murray Clarke:

Known as the “Wonky Donkey”, Gertrude the goat, was renowned for her lopsided grin, and her long grey beard like an old Shakespearian thespian.

Graeme Sandford:

Act 4, Scene 1

SD Raddicio enters pursued by a goat.

Rad: Oh, Thespians of Tyre, rather 

a wonky donkey

than a ghastly goat.

Helen Northey:

Sophocles, a Greek pygmy goat with thespian tendencies, fell off a wonky stage and died. Tragically (yet suitably dramatic) ending his short life.

Christopher Farley:

You may be a performer, of sorts, Billy Goat, with that wonky walk. You may even consider yourself an entertainer but a thespian? No.

Pete:

โ€œhaiku pebbles fall
like rain causing ripples
on upside down voidโ€

Wonky the orator goat
Stomped cloven hoof
Took a thespian bow
Went โ€œPoofโ€

Sarah W:

Slumped on his wonky chair, Nigel knew his thespian career was over. Rejected again. Not even good enough to play Billy Goat in panto.

The Bag Lady:

The thespianโ€™s words seemed serious and dignified until a wonky goat prop collapsed on his foot. This led to snickering, then all out laughing.

Richmond Road:

Academy Award?
Wonโ€™t you give me your vote
This veteran thespian
Is acting the goat
Eyesightโ€™s shot
Got wonky knee
Isnโ€™t life
a comedy?

Christine Mallaband-brown:

The old wonky goat got up on the stage. It had always had thespian tendencies. Today he was playing the hunchgoat of Notre Dame.

Ann Edall-Robson:

He thought of himself as a renowned thespian of the theatre. Reviews for the Wonky Old Goat suggested his career paralleled the playโ€™s title. 

Therapy Bits:

The thespianโ€™s costume went wonky mid-performance. A goat, escaped from backstage, stole the spotlight. The audience applauded, thinking it was avant-garde brilliance.

My Mind Mappings:

The young thespian’s big debut was ruined when his emotional monologue was upstaged by a wonky goat chewing the setโ€™s curtain during his soliloquy.

Sanny M:

โ€œLovies we need a donkey not a goat,โ€ the thespian exclaimed.

โ€œThis production is getting more like the wonky donkey story than Shakespeare!โ€

L Wie:

His parents felt rather wonky when their 8 year old thespian, having forgotten his line as wolf, started calling the 7 little goats names.

Marsha:

Julie, the thesbian, had no use for her wonky hip and knee. She rapped on the Magicianโ€™s door, screaming, โ€œHeal me, you old goat!โ€

Miriam Hurdle:

The thespian in goat coat balanced on a wonky tightrope. He tipped to the left and the right, and flew off to his dreamboat.

John W. Howell:

โ€œIโ€™m telling you, Frank. If you had seen the drunk thespian from New York City playing the part of a wonky goat, you would have wet your pants.โ€

Pensitivity101:

The thespian wasnโ€™t impressed when asked to portray a goat in the play.

The wonky set collapsed underneath him and all the kids laughed.

Treehugger:

In Midsummer Nightโ€™s Dream, my character was a bit dubious. Puckโ€™s goat- like head was decidedly wonky but as a thespian I carried on regardless.

Andy Cripps:

One Bad Actor.

The thespianโ€™s wonky lines were carved deep โ€” a pentagram. He spoke the words. The goat was sacrificed. The devil rose. โ€œMy soul for fame.โ€

Margaret G. Hanna:

โ€œI am the G.O.A.T!โ€ the thespian proudly proclaimed to all and sundry. Her audience demurred. โ€œShe would be if her diction wasnโ€™t so wonky.โ€

***

93 responses to “Can You Tell A Story In…”

  1. […] Can You Tell A Story Inโ€ฆ โ€“ Esther Chilton […]

    Liked by 1 person

    1. When the aristocrat, The Dolphin of France, entered the triathlon, everyone poohpoohed the idea, knowing he couldnโ€™t swim for toffee. His cycling was far from stylish, let alone effective. When it came to bipedal locomotion his only talent was running off at the mouth.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. That’s so clever. Welcome, Doug, and thank you for your story.

        Liked by 1 person

  2. nikidaly70 Avatar
    nikidaly70

    ‘Who does he think he is turning up in that getup to give out the prizes for the triathlon?’
    ‘That’s Lord Ponsypants, some jumped-up toffee-nosed aristocrat. Blah.’
    ‘Well, he could at least have worn something a bit more stylish instead of that dolphin costume.’

    Liked by 7 people

    1. I could just picture that! Love the name ๐Ÿคฃ

      Liked by 2 people

      1. nikidaly70 Avatar
        nikidaly70

        I thought you might! It amused me, anyway! ๐Ÿคฃ

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Super cute story! I like the name, too.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. nikidaly70 Avatar
        nikidaly70

        Thanks ๐Ÿ™‚

        Liked by 2 people

  3. The stylish aristocrat loved her toffee flavored coffee. She drank it on the way to observe the triathlon in London. Once there, she expected to see glistening men playing all manner of sports, but instead was treated to some kind of dolphin circus show!

    Liked by 6 people

    1. That would be more fun ๐Ÿ˜‚

      Liked by 1 person

    2. I’d like a dolphin circus show! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 2 people

  4. Kate in Cornwall Avatar
    Kate in Cornwall

    Stylish aristocrat, Lord Dolphin of Gloomrae, chomped his way to victory in the โ€˜Gloomyโ€™ Estate Games Triathlon. His bubble-gum bubble was massive, his fizzy-pop burp raucous; but his elegant mastication of the yard of toffee secured the trophy, and hearts of his loyal serfs.

    Liked by 7 people

    1. That’s so funny ๐Ÿคฃ Thanks, Kate.

      Like

    2. So creative! I love all the names and the massive bubble. Hilarious!

      Liked by 1 person

  5. โ€œI did the triathlon dressed as a diamond encrustedย dolphin,โ€ George said.

    โ€œStylish.โ€ Trenton sneered.

    โ€œToffee-nosed aristocratic. Whatโ€™ve you ever done?โ€

    โ€œMe? I drove the Roller eighty times round Papaโ€™s estate in the buff.โ€

    โ€œFor charity?โ€

    โ€œDonโ€™t be vulgar, George. I was drunk.โ€

    Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

    Liked by 7 people

    1. That made me laugh out loud ๐Ÿ˜‚

      Like

  6. โ€œI run like a gazelle, swim like a dolphin, but ride like Iโ€™m spinning in toffee.โ€

    His clothing was more stylish than practical.

    โ€œDonโ€™t let the aristocrat fool you, he won his last triathlon,โ€ the guy to my right said.

    I nodded, determination strengthening.

    Liked by 7 people

    1. Very good, Trent. Thank you for your amusing story.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thanks, Esther ๐Ÿ™‚

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Good luck to him! I cheering him on!

      Liked by 2 people

      1. he is motivated, so perhaps…

        Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you ๐Ÿฅฐ

      Like

  7. […] Written for Estherโ€™s โ€œCan You Tell A Story Inโ€ฆโ€ […]

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Great to see you joining in, Melissa ๐Ÿฅฐ

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Great story. Lots of fun.

      Like

  8. […] her โ€œCan You Tell a Story In…โ€ prompt today, Esther Chilton has challenged us to tell a 44-word story using the words […]

    Liked by 2 people

  9. […] I came across Esther’s site through Melissa – great challenge๐Ÿ™Œ , to write a story in 44 words including the words: TRIATHLON; DOLPHIN; STYLISH; ARISTOCRAT &TOFFEE https://estherchilton.co.uk/2025/07/10/can-you-tell-a-story-in-295/ […]

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you so much for joining in. Looks like you enjoyed it ๐Ÿ˜Š

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Jake, the aristocrat, in a stylish swimming suit with a picture of a dolphin on one leg, wants to be triathlete number one. His participation is dictated by losing to Aunt Maud in her annual toffee pull. He must avenge his disgrace

    Liked by 6 people

    1. That really had me chuckling. Thanks, John.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. I’m sure Aunt Maud will act dutifully disgraced if he wins the triathlon! Great take on it, John. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Yes, she will. Thanks, Marsha.

        Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you so much for your story ๐Ÿฅฐ

      Liked by 1 person

  11. […] for Can You Tell a Story In from Ester Chilton. This week, the number is 44 […]

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you so much for joining in ๐Ÿ˜Š

      Like

    2. Great story!

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you for your story ๐Ÿ˜

      Like

  12. Robert, an aristocrat
    Feeding toffee to a cat
    Which cat had set its heart upon
    Entering triathlon
    Swim like dolphin, run like horse
    Ride a bike quite fast, of course
    This stylish idea left his head
    So the cat just went to bed instead

    Liked by 6 people

    1. I don’t blame it. I would!

      Like

    2. This is too cute, rhyming poetry to boot! Love it!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. That is very kind of you!

        And (to boot)
        I think youโ€™re cute
        Let me make that rhyme
        The compliment
        That you just sent
        Would get me every time

        Liked by 2 people

      2. You’re too good, Mr Richmond.

        Like

      3. “You are too good at this,” she said with a hiss
        and a chuckle, but then hit her knuckle.

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Such bliss! Such bliss! From just one kiss!
        She says Iโ€™m very good at this!
        She says I have a certain touch
        Although I speak in double Dutch
        She says Iโ€™m better than her toys
        (she says the same to all the boys)
        To that I say, โ€œWow! Thank you Maโ€™am
        I feel much more than what I am!
        I try. I try. I really do.
        To impress the likes of youโ€.

        Liked by 2 people

      5. haha! You are with rhymes like my brother is with puns. I’m no competition. It is fun trying, though! LOL

        Liked by 1 person

  13. I couldn’t remember the words, to tired and hot so I’ve copied them.
    TRIATHLON

    DOLPHIN

    STYLISH

    ARISTOCRAT

    TOFFEE

    Here’s my 44 words…..

    Triathlon winner Hugh Toffee was walking on the sea front when he saw a beached dolphin. The stylish aristocrat jumped onto the sand, ran over and dragged it back into the waves. ‘Just needed my bike and it would have been a training session’ !

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Very amusing, Christine ๐Ÿฅฐ

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Watching the triathlon, the stylish aristocrat popped a toffee into his mouth. He was in a hurry to make it to โ€œSea World,โ€ and watch the dolphin show. He wished they would hurry up and cross the finish line. Hurry up, he yelled loudly.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Lots of fun. Great to see you here, Tessa ๐Ÿฅฐ

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I am not here as much. My life has changed. I am on hospice care and so tired I am always sleeping.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. I’m sorry you’re suffering so much. Take care ๐Ÿ’—

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Thank you Esther!

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Very cute! I’m so amazed at how different these stories all are! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Yes it is amazing.

        Liked by 1 person

  15. […] Esther Chilton gives us these 5 words this week to trigger a short story: […]

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Great story. Loved it ๐Ÿฅฐ

      Like

  16. Sanny M Avatar
    Sanny M

    The toffee nosed aristocrat loved to take part in the annual triathlon in the village of Lower Sidebottom. However, his normal stylish Kevin Klein t-shirt was in the wash so he had to resort to wearing his Flipper the dolphin vest top instead. ๐Ÿคฃ

    Liked by 3 people

    1. So funny, Sanny ๐Ÿ˜†

      Liked by 1 person

  17. These stories are hilarious! I canโ€™t decide which one I love more, wonky goat props or the thespian goat chewing the curtains ๐Ÿ˜‚. Perfect distraction while Iโ€™m sitting here waiting for the furniture cleaners to finish. Keep the laughs coming!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m so glad you enjoy them. I hope the cleaners didn’t take too long!

      Like

  18. […] Can You Tell A Story In… […]

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you for your story ๐Ÿ˜

      Like

  19. […] writing promptWhat do you think gets better with age? โˆšView all responses Can You Tell A Story Inโ€ฆ https://worddaily.com/ Three Things […]

    Liked by 1 person

  20. The Stylish Chocolatierโ€™s weekly advertisement appeared under the newspaperโ€™s triathlon poster. 

    The dolphin framed ad read: Closed until further notice. Main supplier raided by police. The aristocrat who paid in full for our exclusive secret ingredient toffee, should not contact us for a refund. 

    Liked by 3 people

    1. You’ve made those words into such a good story ๐Ÿ˜Š

      Liked by 1 person

      1. aerobson Avatar
        aerobson

        Thanks Esther. I so enjoy your challenges each week.

        Liked by 2 people

  21. It was obvious the dolphin would win the triathlon. How could he not receive top marks for the takeoff, elevation and entry into the water? A real water-bound aristocrat if ever there was one. He stuck to the water like toffee to a shoe.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Love it! ๐Ÿฅฐ

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Thanks Ess!๐Ÿค—

        Liked by 2 people

  22. Sophocles, a Greek pygmy goatย and the Hunchgoat of Notre Dame – ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿคญ๐Ÿคฃ๐Ÿคฃ๐Ÿคฃ๐Ÿ˜…๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿคญ

    Liked by 2 people

    1. It’s great, isn’t it?! Thanks, Resa ๐Ÿฅฐ

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Hilarious!!! ๐Ÿฅฐ

        Liked by 2 people

  23. […] for Estherโ€™s โ€œCan You Tell A Story Inโ€ฆ..?#295โ€ โ€“ exactly 44 words using the five requiredprompts: โ€˜triathlonโ€™, โ€˜dolphinโ€™, โ€˜stylishโ€™, […]

    Liked by 1 person

    1. A very sophisticated story, Nancy!

      Liked by 2 people

  24. […] Click to participate. Comments will be turned off this week only to allow you to enter your story on Esther’s blog. I will monitor her blog for responses, and post links to your blog posts here. Have fun! ๐Ÿ™‚ […]

    Liked by 1 person

  25. I just added my story here (I hope I did this right. ๐Ÿ˜‚)

    The triathlon featured George Hampton, a stylish aristocrat from England. During the cycling event, he threw toffee to the onlookers. He never made it to the finish line. He floundered through the swim after losing his breath, and a dolphin helped him to shore.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. That’s great! So good to see you here, Colleen ๐Ÿฅฐ

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Thanks, Esther. โ˜บ๏ธ

        Liked by 1 person

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