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4.9.14

THE WORD - Flash fiction in 100 words


THE WORD

One candle illuminated the small cave, giving just enough light for the priest to read. Shadowy figures listened intently to his words, which were all the more precious for being forbidden, but then the lookout hissed. Instantly the flame was extinguished, but too late – hatred and bloody violence contaminated their place of worship.

Yelling men herded them into a truck, leaving the priest’s battered body in his church. Looking back as they were driven away, a woman cried, “They are burning the Holy Book!” but her father said, “We need no Book, daughter – God writes His Word in our hearts.”

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Another photo from http://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/ prompted me to write this story for Friday Fictioneers . Do follow the link on her page to read some of the others.

30 comments:

  1. Chillingly timely ... I shudder at what times we are getting to... dangerous to exist today..

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    1. Even more dangerous to worship in a totalitarian country.

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    2. Very true, sadly.

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    3. Religious intolerance seems to be everywhere!

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  2. A very timely story. People can feel so threatened by other people's beliefs.

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    1. Yes they can, but why? A belief per se never hurt anyone - it's what it makes them do that beggars belief!

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  3. i find it an irony that people kill other people in the name of religion and praising god for doing it - the same god that they all worship.

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    1. So do I - see my comment above. Tragic, isn't it?

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  4. Dear Liz,

    This is more horrifying than zombies or vampires. Well done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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    1. More horrifying because it's happening now. Thanks Rochelle.

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  5. Very well written, Liz. It's the "believe our way or die" mentality that some in our world practice today. Whatever happened to God is Love?

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    1. Extremism in any religion has a lot to answer for, probably since cavemen argued about whether to worship the sun or the wind. It's tragic that the 'live and let live' attitude of decent people doesn't prevail.

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  6. That seems a completely different style of writing - and very apt for the theme and image.

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    1. Thanks Helen - I write as the mood takes me, and this photo made me think of burning books.

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  7. great message - that spirituality resides within us.
    We are all walking examples of Holy Books.
    Randy

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  8. Horrifying, but true in the end..God resides within us and so do his words.
    Glad to have met you, Lizy!

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  9. A chilling reminder of what is happening in the world.

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    1. Every day in the news - there are thousands of way to worship - live and let live.

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  10. Chilling. Very well written..

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  11. Very thought provoking. An interesting take on the picture, convincingly told.

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  12. I like your story. An interesting idea, convincingly told.

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  13. God writes His Word in our hearts. Perfect words to live by. Well done

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    1. Thanks Alicia - though perhaps as a writer I should say we can do without books!

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