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15.4.16

THE BOY SHOULD - a story in 100 words

THE  BOY SHOULD

“I am concerned about Christopher,” his father said, “He is never seen in the stables – he would be less sickly if he rode out each morning.”
“He prefers his studies,” Mary said, “And his drawings are exquisite.”
Christopher senior shuddered and pushed away his plate of kidneys. “The boy should not be showing you depictions of body parts – he will be following me into the Church.”
“He has other plans, my dear.” Mary said gently, “But he will make us proud one day.”
Mary Wren was right – after the Great Fire her son built half a city of churches.
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This photograph taken by Kent Bonham made me think of churches, but also of the illustrations in antique bibles, hence my venture into historical fiction.
Christopher Wren lived from 1632 to 1723, and in his early years he did anatomical drawings, including some of the human brain. Later he studied architecture, and after the Great Fire of London he was responsible for the building of 52 churches - including St Paul's Cathedral.
Thank you to https://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/ for hosting Friday Fictioneers each week. Follow the Blue Frog trail from Rochelle's blog to read how other members of this group interpreted the photo.







22 comments:

  1. Nice take on the prompt, Liz.

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  2. What a clever interpretation of this prompt, Lizy. Your stories always surprise!

    Susan A Eames from
    Travel, Fiction and Photos

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    1. Thanks Susan - I like to keep them guessing!

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  3. Dear Liz,

    Really wonderful take on the prompt. Historical fiction. What's not to love?

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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    1. Thanks Rochelle - my first venture into historical fiction, and it's all down to a photograph!

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  4. Great job, it holds such an echo of truth!

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    1. Thanks ot - I Googled the details to ake sure!

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  5. christopher senior can take his plate of kidneys back. great take on the prompt.

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    1. Devilled kidneys are a wonderful dish!

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  6. I hadn't thought about the image looking like churches - I love your references and use of a real person from the past...great story!

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    1. Hello, bikuergurl - and thanks for such a nice comment.

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  7. I think this so truly tells me that parents never really knows the best for their children.. Great that he perceived his wishes.

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    1. Back in the 1600s sons were expected to follow their fathers' wishes. Luckily his mother saw where her son's talents lay.

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  8. Great piece of history in an interesting story.

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  9. I love where you went with this, Liz! A little history lesson to go with the story!

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    1. Thanks Dale - I enjoyed researching for it too.

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  10. Lovely. True for Christopher, and true for us all - we just never know what our children's talents will lead to.

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    1. My children have certainly proved the truth of that, Marg.

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  11. A great story based on historical fact, Liz. Well done. :) --- Suzanne

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