“From where the Benson house used to be, take a left at the duck pond,” I explain to the county surveyors. They unpack theodolites.
Somewhere in these woods, my property stops, and Higgins’ starts. They do things differently in Higgins land. But deer tracks meander through both territories, and, come spring, the blue tits may nest in either. Underbrush obscures the lines of latitude and longitude.
I have no option but to ask Higgins to walk the boundary with me, unfurling black and yellow tape where our internal maps coincide. I gift him a stand of chestnuts. We send the surveyors home.
Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here
Neil MacDonald Author 
Sometimes there are easier ways (and cheaper). I enjoyed your story. Wish negotiations were always that simple.
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Thanks. Irene
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Only human beings are equipped to go about territorial issues in this way. The pessimistic side of me thinks the surveyors will be back because I can imagine Mrs Higgins saying “He gave you what?” I really like the way you illustrate the wildlife’s ownership of the area. Those blue tits don’t give a …
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The surveyors can’t find their way around because there’s no map
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Peaceful settlement?Nicely done.
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Thanks, Indira
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Dear Neil,
A new word for me “theodolite.” Always happy to learn something new. I wish all negotiations were that peaceful. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, Rochelle
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theodolites – I looked that up, too. I saw the equipment twice today. Surveyors following up on the construction of a nearby road. I think I’ll grab some chestnuts for Christmas Eve, in the event I face any family conflicts. Thank you, Neil! I enjoyed this very much.
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Thanks so much, Karen
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I like how you illustrate that the two men are as indifferent as the woodland creatures to ownership. Only when authority comaes a-callin’ do they make the effort.
Excellent story, expertly written
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I’m pleased you saw what I intended. Thanks
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Nice that sometimes neighbours can find an amicable solution without the need for others.
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I think they both wanted to keep the county surveyors out of it
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Beautiful way to keep the government out of their business. I didn’t have the impression that these two men were close friends–just willing to negotiate to keep their land from being ruined.
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Folks there keep themselves to themselves
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Glad they found a solution by themselves without involving outsiders. It’s good for everyone around. BTW, thanks for the word – theodolite, just checked it on Google.
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Thanks, Anshu
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It’s like the 19th British mania for enclosing the commons. We used to move surveyors’ stakes whenever we came across them, but progress could not be halted.
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Perhaps in the little community in my story with no street names and no house numbers, they will succeed
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If only every neighbour boundary dispute was resolved with a friendly row of chestnuts. The truth is that nature knows no boundaries and will outlive the wit of man in every case.
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It’s going to be touch and go whether nature outlives us
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That close!
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I don’t think they care much for property lines. They have their own ways and don’t want outside help. Well described story!
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Thanks, Brenda
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Lovely the way the neighbours cooperated, but I don’t like the sound of those theodilites – they always spell trouble.
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They sent the surveyors packing
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Mr. Ayr beat me to it, but I had the same thought. Neither really cares who owns what but for the sake of those official folk…
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Exactly
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This is so nice… after all, maybe property lines don’t matter much… to be friends is what really matters.
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Thanks, Bjorn. They probably matter to these two, but not as much as keeping the county surveyors at bay
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You know the deer and tits also have their boundary lines. They just use piss and song to mark it off instead of plastic tape.
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Yes, but they pay no attention to the lines people draw
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Nothing unites like a common enemy. Nicely done as usual Neil.
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Thanks so much, Dahlia
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I just loved the wonderfully descriptive story, beautifully done.
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Thanks so much
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It is always wonderful to solve disputes amicably and through dialog.
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And keep the county surveyors out of it
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That is how it was done in the good old days, isn’t it, when there were no maps? But on the other hand, most land disputes also started in the good old days, since there were no maps.
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Yup. They shot each other dead back then when men were men
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Nature doesn’t recognise the arbitrary boundaries of Man. I don’t think these neighbours are particularly fussed either, but they have to be seen to be making the effort when The Man comes calling!
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You got it
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A mans word. A handshake. Used to be worth something. Very nice write.
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Thanks, Violet
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Healthy boundaries.
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They seem to work for them
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No Hatfields and McCoys here. Love all the detail
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Thanks, Stu
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Ah a good end. Nice teamwork in this one. Oh course the local animals dont care about property lines
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Thanks, Laurie
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well-settled
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Thank you
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Ah! Only if negotiations were that easy 🙂
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Thanks, Piyali
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No arbitration required.
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None
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I really wish things were this easy. 🙂
Regards, SLSM.
https://stilllovedstillmissed.wordpress.com/
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Some places they are
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Wish it was always like this. Great job.
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Thanks so much, Lisa
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They sound like good neighbours who don’t need others to work out the boundaries between their properties. Love this sentence: “Underbrush obscures the lines of latitude and longitude.”
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Thanks so much, Magarisa
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I feel both men like the idea of the wildlife roaming free on their lands. And that they are only marking boundaries as a formality. Good neighbours!
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It had never occurred to them to mark the boundaries until the surveyors turned up
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Great to see my industry, cartography getting a shout out!! Great stuff as usual Neil.
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Thanks so much. I’m actually fascinated by maps. The novel I’m working on now is about maps and navigation
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