the Challenge

Darkness, Balance, Silence, Hedgehog and Kaleidoscope.

By Marion Anthony

Here is my attempt at the Challenge. Placing these five words: Darkness, Balance, Silence, Hedgehog and Kaleidoscope.

Gina was a P.A in the catering business and was staying with her colleagues in a hotel near Bournemouth.

It was coming up to Christmas, and they were all very busy. Gina finished her latest assignment and took a break. She decided to go for a walk in a nearby forest. It was winter and the nights were drawing in.  In the Darkness, Gina had to find her balance and avoid the tree roots under her feet.

The Silence was eery! 

All of a sudden, a Hedgehog ran across her path and disappeared under a bush.

After a while, Gina could see a Kaleidoscope of colours as a fairground was just about half a mile away. She eventually climbed through a fence and onto a main road.

"Now to find my way back to the hotel", she thought to herself.

Gina walked down the road and came to a road sign that she recognised. I know where I am now, she thought, relieved. It was not long before she was back at the hotel. Gina got showered and changed. There was to be a meeting of officials to be held that evening. They had come to taste samples of dishes that were planned to be served on a River Cruise ship for Epicureans. The evening was very successful, and the team were congratulated.

Gina recalled her misadventure in the woods.

I won't be walking alone in the dark in future, she thought.

Copyright Marion Anthony - Aug 2026