This piece was adapted from a much longer original version for the weekly Unicorn Challenge for up to 250 words from a photo prompt.

With his clumpy red hair, galloping acne, galumphing gait and skunk-terrifying body odour, Wilberforce Terrapin Featherstonehaugh’s dreams of becoming a major ball sports star were unlikely to ever reach fruition.

Until one day, in his basement, he found a crystal ball. He picked it up and the room plunged into darkness. A woman’s spectral voice said ‘I am Medusa and I’ve killed the lights so you won’t immediately turn into stone.’

Wilberforce stammered ‘Medusa?’

‘Yes, the genuine article. Think Cher in her prime with snakes instead of hair. I have been trapped in that ball for a hundred years and, out of gratitude, I am prepared to reward you. Tell me what thing or object over which you desire complete control for the and it shall be yours.’

Grumblebum thought long and hard for about thirty seconds and then shouted ’Balls!’

Medusa groaned. ‘You have to be kidding me. Not world peace, cancer, the internet? Why we bother with you lot passeth all godly understanding but …. balls it is.’

Back upstairs, he was watching the lottery draw as he day-dreamed about sports stardom when he suddenly thought ‘Of course! Balls!’ He could win the lottery anytime he liked and never have to worry about money again.

Some months later, head shaved, beard grown, and surgery to his sweat glands complete, William Thomas Fate (or WTF to his old friends) set out to search the world for a beautiful woman with hair that looked like writhing snakes.