Hide's 100-word story for June 4, 2025

Hide wrote the following micro-story on Hectalex on June 4, 2025. Each story on Hectalex is inspired by a daily visual prompt and must be exactly 100 words.

A pedestal made of granite. Atop it sits a man made of stone. Atop it sits a bird made of birdmeat. My beach musings were interrupted by a child holding a wooden sphere. “Got any ice cream money, Mister?” “Scram, youngling. I did not come to Venice to have my sacred thoughts derailed by a grubby little urchin.” Before my eyes he shed his human skin. As it crumpled and feathers emerged, I recoiled in horror. The creatures beak opened, and its blackened tongue spoke thus: “Thou camest to muse, but never thought harder at what *could* be a muse.”

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