Hope – Friday Fictioneers

Published by

Thomas Charles Henry

April 20, 2016

It’s Friday Fictioneers time! Once again I’m posting on a Wednesday. Is that cheating? Everyone else was doing it Officer! The challenge is to write 100 words based on a weekly photo prompt chosen by our host Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. Check out her blog for more information by clicking here. Thank you in advance to all who take the time to read, like or comment.

2016 04 22

PHOTO PROMPT © Madison Woods

Hope

My approach caused the bird to struggle harder. Sensing its panic I increased the speed of my climb, wincing as another barb bit deep into the palm of my hand. At the top of the fence I paused, thoughts of escape crowding my treacherous mind.

I untangled the bird and watched it soar away to freedom. Then, like a coward, I retreated to the world I knew.

The uneasy feeling of being watched returned. I took some comfort in its familiarity. Perhaps the whole thing had been nothing more than a setup. After all, it’s hope that hurts the most.

NB. My friend set me the challenge of writing something uplifting this week. I failed. I started with the best intentions (man climbs fence to rescue bird) but then ‘my treacherous mind’ took over and ‘like a coward, I retreated to the world I knew’. Sorry Kelly. Maybe next time…

29 responses to “Hope – Friday Fictioneers”

neilmacdon

April 20, 2016

Oh that’s lovely, the trailing edges that lead from this carpet to a bigger weave

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rochellewisoff

April 20, 2016

Dear Thom,

It wasn’t a total downer. 😉 At least he set the bird free. Wonderfully descriptive writing.

As for cheating? Nah. It used to be that Madison posted the photo on Wednesday and it didn’t go live until Friday. I’m not sure where that changed but I saw fit to leave the name of the group as is. Although we could certainly be called Wednesday Writers, couldn’t we?

Shalom,

Rochelle

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1. oldentimes
  
  April 23, 2016
  
  I’m with Rochelle!
  
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2. Thom Carswell
  
  April 27, 2016
  
  Thanks Rochelle for another interesting prompt and some nice feedback. It’s a good job submitting early isn’t cheating – I’m not sure I’d be able to stop myself!
  
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Mike

April 20, 2016

Perhaps he should have carried on and gone over the wire but then what waited on the other side. Liked the change in the last paragraph.

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1. Thom Carswell
  
  April 27, 2016
  
  Thanks Mike. Sometimes it’s a case of better the devil you know.
  
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mickwynn2013

April 20, 2016

It’s sd that he seems to have accepted his lot and spurns the chance to escape

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1. Thom Carswell
  
  April 27, 2016
  
  Thanks for reading Mick.
  
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jellico84

April 20, 2016

Actually, this was a very uplifting piece. To give freedom to another, when you cannot fathom it yourself… that is AWESOME! Loved this write, really and truly.

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1. Thom Carswell
  
  April 27, 2016
  
  Thank you so much! That’s really nice feedback. It’s a shame he didn’t quite comprehend what he had done for the bird. Maybe he wouldn’t have felt like such a coward if he did.
  
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  1. jellico84
    
    April 27, 2016
    
    Indeed!
    
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Björn Rudberg (brudberg)

April 20, 2016

There is a sense of a Stockholm Syndrome in that familiarity of being inside…

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1. Thom Carswell
  
  April 27, 2016
  
  Absolutely Björn! Thanks for reading.
  
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IfeomaO

April 20, 2016

it ain’t wrong to go back to what you know if you’re ok with it. nice take on the prompt.

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1. Thom Carswell
  
  April 27, 2016
  
  Thanks Ifeoma. Some people just accept their lot in life.
  
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Sandra

April 21, 2016

A very thought-provoking piece. I enjoyed it.

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1. Thom Carswell
  
  April 27, 2016
  
  Thank you Sandra.
  
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draliman

April 21, 2016

I was uplifted until I reached the last line! Great story.

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1. Thom Carswell
  
  April 27, 2016
  
  I first wrote the line about hope a few years ago when I was in a particularly bad place. Now whenever I think of the word ‘hope’, that line jumps back into my head.
  
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wmqcolby

April 21, 2016

It’s interesting how there is one bird that puts sharp things in the nest to keep the baby bird from landing in it again. Kind of similar.
Neat story, Thom!

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1. Thom Carswell
  
  April 27, 2016
  
  That’s an interesting connection! Thank you for commenting!
  
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Josslyn Rae Turner

April 22, 2016

Great story! 🙂

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1. Thom Carswell
  
  April 27, 2016
  
  Thanks Josslyn!
  
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gahlearner

April 22, 2016

I love this, and the options it gives for deeper stories. Even in sad circumstances good things can be done. The bird is free, maybe the narrator will be too, one day.

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1. Thom Carswell
  
  April 27, 2016
  
  I’m glad you took that from the story. Thanks for reading.
  
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madamewriter

April 24, 2016

Excellent running metaphor in that attempting to write in an uplifting manner was as painful as barbed wire. Well done!

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1. Thom Carswell
  
  April 27, 2016
  
  Thanks! It was an interesting piece to write for precisely that reason! Glad you liked it.
  
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Tamal

April 25, 2016

That’s actually feels uplifting to me 😛 Well done.

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Thom Carswell

April 27, 2016

Thanks Tamal. I’m glad you feel that way. Thanks for reading!

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