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20.3.15

FAMILY TRADITIONS - a story in 100 words


FAMILY TRADITIONS

“Do we have to go?”
“I’ve made the picnic already.”
“Bacon butties?” Matilda was ready in minutes, but as they unloaded the pickup in the copse she asked, “Why do we do this, Mum?”
“Family traditions are important,” Tabitha said, “Every spring we restock the log store and each Hallowe’en we have a barbecue to end the year.”
“But other people use our wood – that’s not fair.”
“It keeps the place alive – now eat your sandwich while it’s hot.”

Matilda’s seven-times-great-grandmother smiled.
They’d burned her home with her inside, but a witch’s blood is stronger than fire.

27 comments:

  1. Dear Liz,

    There are family traditions and then there are family traditions. I enjoyed this one very much. Good job.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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    1. Thanks Rochelle. My latest granddaughter is going to be christened in May wearing a robe made from her great-great-grandmother's wedding dress, as were all my children. Traditions matter.

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  2. Bacon butties? I'm there. Is this the Wormwood family?

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    1. You'll have to explain Wormwood, I'm afraid. ??

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    2. Wormwood is the name of the disgusting family in "Matilda."

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  3. Great ending, I didn't expect that!

    Wormwood? They are little plants. I thing there is a liquor made from them.--absinthe?

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    1. Thanks Susan. I think I shall have to look up Wormwood cos I don't think he meant a plant. Tomorrow.

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  4. Traditions can be very strange. I like the idea of witches blood being stronger than fire.

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    1. Blood passed down through the generiations, daughter to daughter.

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  5. Hi Lizy, I noticed you visited my blog and I decided to check yours out. I love your 100 word stories. I do a lot of fiction writing and until now had not considered posting them. Thanks for a good evening read. Regards, Rey

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    1. I am so glad you made a return visit, Rey, and look forward to reading more of yours.

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  6. the end was a surprise, great

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  7. Oooh! I didn't see that coming. Creepy!

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  8. Oh ..the last two sentences changed the image totally,

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  9. I wish I could live as long as Matilda's seven-times-great-grandmother. Fun and spooky tale.

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    1. Ah - but is she alive or a spirit? Thanks for commenting, Perry.

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  10. Now that is one family tradition with an interesting origin. And witches blood being stronger than fire, now that is a thought.

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    1. I am a firm believer in family traditions, and my children thought I was a witch who could see round corners!

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  11. What an interesting fantasy!

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    1. Fantasy or truth? Thanks for commenting, Dawn.

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  12. It's true, a witch's blood is stronger than fire. I'm living proof, even if slightly singed round the edges. Nice twist in the end of your tale. :)

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  13. I like how your tone shifts with the surprise ending - and I love the phrase 'seven times great grandmother'. It sounds like an incantation in itself. Great story.

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