100 words for Friday Fictioneers based on the photo prompt below. Looking at the roster of names now contributing stories I see that the landscape has changed. Old friends have moved on, new voices call. Thought I’d write a story for this prompt since the picture is mine. It’s an obscure tale about halcyon days and will speak to but a few. Don’t feel compelled to comment. Easier that way, right? I wrote this one for me. Hope you all are well and prospering.
She returned to the house in a dream to find a mynah had flown down the chimney. After a long time she was able to throw a towel over it and carry the squirming bundle outside.
The bird regarded her with black, baleful eyes as she gently freed it, taking special care with the strong feet that gripped the terry cloth.
“I never meant to hurt you,” she said gently, then opened her hand. The bird took flight, but before it disappeared over the ironwoods she thought she heard its answer carried on the windless air.
Then she woke.
Dear Doug,
So glad the windless air has carried your voice this direction. A gentle story with healing in its wings.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Dear Rochelle,
Gossamer wings.
Thank you.
Cheers,
Doug
A peaceful story, nicely done.
Dear Iain,
Thank you, sir.
Cheers,
Doug
This was truly lovely, Doug.
Dear Dale,
Thanks for saying so. Good to hear from you.
Cheers,
Doug
The lessons we learn from dreams. Well, sir, it was good to see you poke your head up. I did last week just to say hello and got decapitated. So, I fear I used up all my good will this week and cannot possibly show my face around these here parts no more, ah reckon. Great photo, nice story. See you around.
Dear Helena,
So good to hear from you. Please, for me, and for you, don’t lose contact with the group, or with me. Even though things look one way or another, time softens the edges and gives new perspectives. This world is a better place with you in it and singing.
Thanks for the compliment. I enjoyed the writing and now feel like a ghost visiting old haunts. Brings back memories, as did the prompt.
Cheers,
Doug
I may write a tale based on the image. I had a dream of a woman who has been turned into a hideous, insatiably hungry beast by a witch. She confronts the witch, who has herself been transformed into a mynah bird, and who offers to change her back, if she would just… but the woman doesn’t hear the rest. She grabs the bird and eats it.
The personal metaphor is uncomfortably delicious. Perhaps too much so.
“I never meant to hurt you.” Then she woke. It was never a bird.
Dear James,
Ah, dreams…
Thanks for the comment. Nice to meet you.
Cheers,
Doug
Lovely to see a story from you again, Doug. Fly safely.
Dearest Sandra,
Lovely to be answering a kind and perceptive comment from you. Your mind is a wonderful landscape. Is it any wonder that you live large in mine?
Thank you,
Doug
When I saw your name I thought, “Welcome back!” and you returned with such a gentle story. Don’t be a stranger. Alicia
Dear Alicia,
Your comment made me smile. Thanks for the welcome and the kindness within. I may be getting stranger, but I’ll try not to be one.
Cheers,
Doug
So glad to see you writing again Doug… and this story didn’t disappoint. Somehow it makes me believe in what dreams might tell us.
Dear Bjorn,
It’s good to see me writing again, too. Strange feeling, this. Thanks for the kind comment on my enigmatic story. Dreams are amazing and so hard to hang on to after they are gone.
Cheers,
Doug
Sweet, uplifting story. It makes me wonder how to interpret such a dream.
I like your blog title/nom de plume if for no other reason than I am always adding the letter ‘u’ to the word Dog. Old habits from childhood. Thanks for your kind comment. I tried to capture the fleeting nature of a dream in this story. Tough to do in a hundred words, but that’s the challenge.
Cheers,
Doug
Thanks Doug. Now you have to tell me you have a dog named Doug.
Even if I hated the story, I’d be happy to come across a Doug sighting. Bill and I hope all’s well with you.
janet
Dear Janet,
Wonderful to see your name on the feed. Are you and Bill still globetrotting? Have you settled down to some sort of pleasant routine? All is well with me. Feeling the tug of writing again, a good sign.
Thanks for commenting. (I’m sorry if you hated the story. I’ll keep working at this writing thing.)
Cheers,
Doug
First of all, Dan, I didn’t hate the story. I said “Even IF I had…” 🙂 I’m glad you’re feeling like writing again. That is a good sign.
We’re in somewhat of a routine, although I did a lot of traveling this summer. I’m now working a couple days a week, which keeps me out of trouble. 🙂 Hope to see more of you online and we always hope you’re doing well.
Beautifully written.
Thank you, sir.
So lovely that you are back, Doug, even for a flying visit. Your story left me feeling strangely sad, but maybe I mean wistful. Anyway, moving.
Currently on a break here, both from FF (childcare enforced) and from childcare (holiday in Cambodia) so I’m glad I didn’t miss this.
All the best
Jen
Dearest Jennifer,
It is good to hear you, see you, talk to you and recall all the wonderful conversations we’ve had over the years. Thank you for letting me know you found me.
Cambodia? Is it everything you were led to believe? Who’s minding the store (Sebastian?). Surely he’s not old enough to drive yet?
As for your feeling after reading my offering, I’m glad to hear you say it because that’s what I was hoping to elicit.
Enjoy your holiday, Breathe deep, look deeper and cherish the passing days.
Your friend,
Doug
Dear Doug,
Reading the comments reminded me of attending a family reunion. There are still several of us old timers who have not been able to kick the FFF addiction.
Thanks for supplying the photo this week. Rochelle and I had a blast roasting each other with the bird. Speaking of that, I wonder why no one has written one about “flipping the bird?”
An elegant metaphor. Thanks for the prompt pic.
Glad to read your gentle prose once more. Thanks for the photo inspiration.
Tracey
Beautifully told, gentle and sad. I’m left wondering if this is a dream she has continually, or if after the dreaming of it she is able to forgive herself and move on.
It’s great to read your writing again Doug. I leave hoping for more.
So good to “see” you here, even better to read you. Lovely romantic story, Doug, Thank you.
Hope you are well,
Dawn