HAREM
She was elegantly dressed and her emeralds were real, as
were the tears washing her cheeks. Maryse paused by the ascenseur, shifted the
towels to one arm and touched the thin hand.
“May I help you, Madame?”
The woman drew a calming breath. “How old are you, child?”
“Sixteen, Madame.”
“At sixteen I was imprisoned behind a screen of this
design.” She gestured at the metal grille. “For a moment just now I was back in the
harem.”
“How did you escape?”
“My babies were girls, so my husband sold me to a merchant.”
She smiled. “Our sons still run the business.”
.................................................................
Please leave a comment - preferably a kind one! - and do feel free to browse the rest of my blog.
..................................................................
Friday Fictioneers is a group of writers who write 100-word
stories prompted by a photograph posted each week on Rochelle’s site
You can read all the other stories – free! – by following
the link.
Interesting past... Makes me wonder about the people I pass by every day. Nice job.
ReplyDeleteI wonder about them all the time, Judah!
DeleteDear Liz,
ReplyDeleteNo doubt the first husband blamed her for giving him daughters. He had much to learn about biology, didn't he? Good one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Men never think it could be them, do they?
DeleteThat would give you a turn. The grill looks very like those of the harems. Realistic comparison, Lizy.
ReplyDeletejanet
I only realised is wasn't a harem grille when I read Rochelle's story!
DeleteGood to know she found a Man - or did she?
ReplyDeleteOf course she did.
DeleteI loved the ending. It's a sad tale yet so elegantly written
ReplyDeleteThank you Raj - a little sad but mostly happy, I thought?
DeleteA fabulous story. A whole world in 100 words
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sarah - I love the 100 word challenge to write a complete story.
DeleteOnce again you've got a lot of story in a very few words.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy the challenge, Patsy.
DeleteWell-written. This is a story with a sad beginning and a happy ending. : )
ReplyDeleteI thought it was about time I wrote one with a happy ending!
DeleteWhat a sad life she must have had! Nicely done, Liz
ReplyDeleteSad, Shailaja? Perhaps she loved her merchant?
DeleteI like a happy ending to a sad story and you've delivered both - great job. I got a bit confused about who was speaking when, but 100 words doesn't allow much room for tagging speech and your other words are too valuable to trade.
ReplyDeleteThanks Elmo. I thought the speech marks delineated the conversation, but i'm sorry you were confused. Hope you got it in the end.
DeleteVery well done, enjoyed this.
ReplyDeletethank you Sandra
DeleteThe one lucky woman that got sold into a better situation than where she was from. The other women's stories are haunting. I wonder what Sojourner Truth would have to say about this story?
ReplyDeletePerhaps I should ask?
Deleteah,, very intriguing .. the blessing of not getting male children. being imprisoned like that...
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the husband ever fathered a son?
DeleteGreat story - and the first husband thought it was her fault for daughters? Now she has sons with a new husband. I enjoyed this so much! Good one! Nan :)
ReplyDeleteShe got freedom too - thanks Nan.
DeleteThere's a dark twist. Cleverly told.
ReplyDeletethanks for dropping in, Patrick.
DeleteTerribly moving.
ReplyDeleteThanks Helen x
DeleteLovely interpretation of the prompt. I just finished a book set in the Middle East and this brought that feeling to mind.
ReplyDeleteWhat was the book, Erin? Thanks for your kind words.
Delete