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A Haitian Proverb. . .

6/7/2020

14 Comments

 
Author Suzanne Burke invites writers to respond to Week 3 of her "Fiction in a Flash Challenge" by creating a story or a poem inspired by the image. If you'd like to join in this endeavor, just click on the link above, and you'll be led to Suzanne's website where she offers suggestions and instructions. 

This week's photo takes me to an imaginary island somewhere in the Atlantic, far from COVID-19 and riots in the streets. Walking its pristine beach, I am surprised by what I find and share it today. I hope my discovery brings a smile and maybe a fresh breeze. Have a great day!
​

Picture
​A Haitian Proverb
 
“Bekka, come on. This will be fun.” His irritation mounting.

            “Mom’s not gonna like it.” She looks away and shifts her legs nervously. 

“Come on, she won’t even know.”

            “Remember last time? Not pretty…”

“Good grief! Just crawl across the tree trunk and we’ll jump together.”

            “What if we miss?”

“How could we? We’d be right above the swing. We can’t miss.”

            “Yeah, well, if something could go wrong, it will.”

“You always do this. You know that right? A l w a y s. Forget about it! I’m going without you.”

            “Alright!! I’m coming. No tricks though.” She struggles to pull herself up the tree trunk. 

“I’m gonna count to three. Are you ready? Here goes...one, two, three. JUMP!”

            Thump!

“Bekka, what happened? Why didn’t you jump?”

            “Just got scared is all.”

“Come on! What could go wrong?”

            “I dunno…but it feels so high up here.”

“Then jump and stop complaining.”

            “Okay. One, two, three…” 

            Thump!

            “Eddy, Eddy, where are you?”

“Well, no thanks to you, I’m in the ocean. I bounced off when you hit.”

            “Oh no, here comes mom.”

“Geez!! Y’know what she’s going to say! The crab that walks too far falls into the pot.”

            “Have you ever wondered what that means?”

“Yeah, but I suspect it’s code for stay away from humans - or at least humans with pots.”
   
14 Comments
Vashti Quiroz-Vega link
6/8/2020 11:56:01

Awww. What a cute story, Gwen! Thanks for the smile. :D xo

Reply
Gwen Plano
6/8/2020 12:00:32

Thank you, dear Vashti. I'm so glad you liked it. :)

Reply
Karen Ingalls link
6/8/2020 12:33:18

I love this story. Brought a smile and giggle.

Reply
Gwen Plano
6/8/2020 17:10:34

Thank you, dear Karen. Smiles for me as well. :)

Reply
Suzanne Burke link
6/8/2020 19:04:57

A lovely take on the prompt that began my day with a happy smile. Thanks for making the time to take part again, my friend. ❤.

Reply
Gwen Plano
6/9/2020 07:43:30

Yay, "happy smiles!" Thank you, dear Suzanne. ♥

Reply
John Howell link
6/9/2020 07:32:11

Delightful story, Gwen

Reply
Gwen Plano
6/9/2020 07:43:57

Thank you, John. It was a fun one to write.

Reply
Mae Clair link
6/9/2020 08:20:41

Heehee. That was a charmer, Gwen. Nice take on the prompt!

Reply
Gwen Plano
6/9/2020 15:33:56

Thank you, Mae. It was fun! :)

Reply
Jan Sikes
6/9/2020 10:22:57

This story made me smile. Great twist to find out it was two crabs conversing! Well-done, Gwen!

Reply
Gwen Plano
6/9/2020 15:34:35

Thank you, Jan. I had fun writing this piece. :)

Reply
D.L. Finn
6/9/2020 13:10:46

I loved this, Gwen and the fun twist xo

Reply
Gwen Plano
6/9/2020 15:34:58

Thank you, dear Denise. ♥

Reply



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Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. ―Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning


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