Exceptional Lives

PHOTO PROMPT © J Hardy Carroll

Every time I think of my hundred-year-old great grandmother, I remember her room window. A black-and-white photograph that pictures a woman gifted with a rare beauty, looking out through her window, longing for her long away husband flashes in mind.

After decades, all saw her; a mother looking through the window mourning her gone son.

The youngest generation loved her as their favorite humorist who always sat beside the window.

She had seen so much life that after she was gone, even her window and the bricks of her room started recounting her tales. Something we all like to cherish.

 

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100 words

{Friday Fictioneers}

Happy Campers in Need

PHOTO PROMPT © Anshu Bhojnagarwala

 

Our sister’s transformation from a lively girl to a depressed doll took a toll on us.
Our cousin, Rose, who accompanied us in one of the trips could make her smile and talk, a couple of times.
During the campfire, our sister almost danced a few steps. 

Rose was quick to intervene when she kept staring at the fire.
“Well, what do you see?”

“Folded human hands, requesting help!”
“Oh! It reminds me of the grilled, spicy corn cobs, so D.E.L.I.C.I.O.U.S.!”
“That sounds yummy!” Our sister cried enthusiastically.

Sometimes, all we need is someone to alter our cerebrations.

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99 words

{Friday Fictioneers}

Winter Birds

Photo by Clever Visuals via Unsplash

A nest with a nestling, waiting for its mother.
Far away a mother bird cried, worrying about
A hungry chick, in the withering winter weather.

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25 words

{Three Line Tales}

In Search of Love

PHOTO PROMPT © Ted Strutz

Tiny, the apple of our eyes, went missing.
Pining for a lost puppy was laughed upon. A gone pet wasn’t a reasonable excuse to overlook my work on short notice either.

After managing to get a day off work, I and my son went on to search for our pet. 
His pictures were pasted wherever possible.

Feet away from our home was a ghost forest. On hearing little cries we headed to where an old wrecked car was parked.

The front trunk was open. There laid a noble dog feeding her puppies along with Tiny. 

Mother’s love is peace.

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100 words

{Friday Fictioneers}

Still Waters

Photo by Sam Loyd via Unsplash

The riverside, echoing eerie stories, stood notorious for its paranormal activities.

The still waters that never reflect the starry night skies, the large mangrove trees which hide the haunted palace, the broken statue of a murdered prince which is heard making pleas for help in nights.

Sam and Jill brushed aside all these until they heard mysterious footsteps and disembodied screams the night they had arrived at the riverside. 

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69 words

{Three Line Tales, Week 156}

Sweet Tooth

PHOTO PROMPT © Priya Bajpal

Saras has learned the lessons only a toothache can teach, promptly to disregard when the ache is gone. The fifty-eight-year-old woman can’t quit the sweet stuff. 
A tooth removal was essential. Being a heedless patient, her dentist has stopped exchanging pleasantries. Services weren’t denied, thanks to the Hippocratic oath.

At the clinic, while experiencing excruciating pain, her eyes fell on the multi-colored candies kept in a jar on the pebbled surface teapoy. 
Before leaving after the procedure Saras queried someone if she could take some.
“Of course!” 

Candy-like papers with dental health tips left her bitter for the remaining day.

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100 words

{Friday Fictioneers}

 

Depth Images

PHOTO PROMPT © Russell Gayer

 

“Mom, do you ever think of dad?”

The seventy-eight-year-old mother retained a dazed look at her son’s query. They were walking up the valley towards the pale mountains.

“No!”

“Why?”

“We never enjoyed that connection.” 

 His mother was seen grim-faced and silent. 

To his surprise she continued, pointing at the mountains.

“Your dad was like those mountains. He wanted attention and adoration. Somehow, he gained it. I was…like this valley, always unnoticed, unattended and unappreciated. Everyone forgets mountains are inseparable from valleys…”. She paused. “… It’s good that he’s no more…!”

Alan credited the unfathomable depths of human relationships.

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Word Count: 100

{Written for Friday Fictioneers}

Precious Possession

Copyright – Adam Ickes

They were our mother’s absolute possessions.

To everyone’s despair, they secured a place in the living room showcase. She was adamant.

A pair of soiled, spoiled, blood-stained military boots!

The boots of a soldier who died while serving his motherland.

The boots of a beloved husband who retained nothing as a gift to his wife, other than his blood-stained uniform.

The boots of a father who instilled selflessness among the children while sustaining them struggling far away.

It’s humane to gloss over precious things.

{Written for Friday Fictioneers}

When your Crush Returns…

Photo by Harpal Singh via Unsplash

 

 

At their seventies, two high school crushes meet.

Taking the evening strolls gracefully, they head to the antique merry-go-round carousel spinning around.

The bright and cheerful couple look like the perfect mates which the destiny denied.

 

{Written for Three Line Tales, Week 151}