This is my entry for this week’s Friday Fictioneers Challenge run by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. This week’s picture prompt was provided by Santoshwriter. The challenge is to write a story within 100 words.
The Origins of a Dream
“Maybe he’s mad,” Joey whispered, peering through the tangled branches where they crouched. He shivered, though he told himself it was because of the dew dripping down his neck.
The old groundsman’s voice droned continuously in meandering reminiscences, his movements achingly slow as he snipped withered flowers from stems.
Charlie sniggered. “As a coot!”
“Maybe he chops people’s heads off.”
“Maybe he’ll chop your head off.”
“Or maybe,” the groundsman interrupted, “he’ll tell you boys to quit hiding under a shrub and to help an old man out.”
His tales of bygone days continued as they trailed him around the park.
Word Count: 100
Today’s story is a companion piece to yesterday’s FFfAW entry, The Price of a Dream. As I mentioned yesterday, that story was cut down from 400 to 175 words to fit the word limit. In order to do that I had to edit out several things – one of which was the character of the old groundsman. I was rather sad about losing him as it was he who inspired the twins to become groundsmen themselves and his stories that drove them to regenerate the park. Luckily I was able to reuse him, and the twins, today.
Click the little blue frog to see other entries or to add your own.
An Enchanted Place 
I recycle characters that either wouldn’t fit or don’t cooperate with the story. It leaves me with a story waiting to happen.
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Recycling characters is definitely a good idea. 🙂 Thanks for visiting.
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Can the “old coot” and the kids be the subject an occasional story in the future?
Old folks do seem to have eyes and ears all over their body…..LOL
Love it. Another twist and turn I was not expecting….sweet.
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They may well do so! I’m actually trying to write a collection of short stories to put on Amazon and they might make an appearance there as well. 🙂 I’m glad you liked it.
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I hope they absorb the gardener’s tales. He sounds like a wise old man.
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He is and they do. He has a big influence on their lives. 🙂 Thanks for visiting.
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i love happy ending. 🙂
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Thank you. 🙂
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Maybe mad but certainly not deaf!
This conjures such a lovely scene.
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Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
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Nice characters, and appealing dialogue. I like this very much. It feels like a slice of something bigger.
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Thank you, Margaret. 🙂 These characters may well make an appearance in something bigger.
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Never assume that old men can’t hear.. I hope they had a wonderful time with his stories.
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They find his stories fascinating. 🙂 Thanks for visiting.
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I have characters that come and go — over the course of many months sometimes.
I really enjoyed the edited out groundsman. Thanks for bringing him back to life.
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I liked the groundsman too much to lose him completely. Thanks for visiting. 🙂
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Ah ha! Boy-fun! Fun-tastic!!!
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Thank you. 🙂
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I loved it! hope we will get to read more about them in the future!
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You may well do so at some point! Thanks for visiting. 🙂
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I’d love to hear the old man’s stories, too. Beautiful take on the prompt, such fun characters.
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He has some great stories! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
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You have that talent to make words speak to us (your readers)! I wish you put the unabridged version of your story up as well. They are joy to read!
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Thank you. 🙂 I’m actually planning to turn it into a full short story some time -although I may save that for a short story compilation for Amazon rather than putting it on my blog…). I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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In total agreement. She is a major talent.
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Thank you. 🙂
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