The seagull
Microfiction: A conversation with a seagull
One day, I was enjoying some chips whilst watching the sea. A seagull landed beside me, eyeing the snack. “Planning on stealing one?” I asked.
The seagull ruffled his feathers. “Not steal, borrow. You’ve taken plenty of my fish from the sea.”
I blinked. “Did you just talk?”
“Only when I must,” the seagull sighed. “You see, we clean your scraps, guide lost ships, and keep the coastlines in balance. But you, humans, chase us, poison our fish, pollute the waters with plastic, steal our nests, destroy our habitat, and kill our chicks before they can fly. We are not the plague, the ones destroying the planet.”
”I never thought about that, I’m sorry,” I apologised.
”Respect us and we’ll keep singing over your shores. May I please have one chip now? He kindly asked.
“Sure. We can share all the fish and chips.”
~~~
©️Susan Fourtané, 2025 - All rights reserved (5/June/2025)
About the Creator
Susan Fourtané
Susan Fourtané is a Science and Technology Journalist, a professional writer with over 18 years experience writing for global media and industry publications. She's a member of the ABSW, WFSJ, Society of Authors, and London Press Club.
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Comments (8)
You wrapped this story up in a beautiful bow. It was informative, well-written & truth-filled! Awesome work Susan! 🌸
What a wonderful view of the delicate balance between nature and humans. Love it!
Awww what a polite, fact-spitting seagull. Loved your story!
It's not enough the seagull can talk, but says it as it is. More honest and straightforward than most people, and here to reminds us what's important.
Oh that's a lucky shot, the gulls face makes me really want to know what it might be thinking. Well... This seagull is a bit much. Why must he point out the truth to us like this, lol. Oh my, the knowledge of what the seagulls do Vs us as humans, made me swallow hard. At this point we should be sweating. Nice ending. Eye opening too. I really enjoyed this👌🏾
This is a great take on the human-seagull relationship. It makes you think about how we treat them. I've seen seagulls around, but never thought they might have a point like this.
I never thought about it that way, seagulls do a lot for us!
So sweet. We must share and respect.