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21.7.16

RUBBISH - flash fiction

RUBBISH

Charlie was happiest when the only sound was the shriek of gulls fighting over fish guts, but Jed wanted a mechanical winch.
“Winches got no sense, boy,” Charlie said, “Can’t feel what’s in the net like hands can.”
“We’d catch more.”
“Don’t need more - we ain’t greedy like some folks.” Charlie picked rubbish from the net. “Got more respect for the sea, too.”

One day the net was too heavy even for their calloused hands.
“Bloody container dropped off a ship, I reckon,” Charlie cursed.
 Cutting the rope, they returned to shore, leaving their discarded net wrapped around a whale.

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The photograph, taken by Jan Wayne Fields, is the prompt this week for Friday Fictioneers, hosted by   https://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/   I am particularly grateful for the prompt this week as I have written nothing else, due to a cataract operation last week that's left me a bit disorientated. I'll be fine when the other eye is done, which I hope can be soon!
Meanwhile, please leave me a comment  and browse the rest of my site before following the link on Rochelle's blog to read other 100 word stories.

24 comments:

  1. No! Make them go back, Liz. We need an epilogue!

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    1. Let's see what next week brings, shall we!

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    2. I wasn't expecting that! Nicely done.

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    3. I hoped that surprise ending would work.

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  2. No! Make them go back, Liz. We need an epilogue!

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  3. boy, what a whale of a tale. :)

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  4. Most of the fishermen I've seen lately seem to catch nothing but seaweed.

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  5. Oh I do hope the whale was not hurt... but I guess a winch would not have helped...

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    1. After all Charlie's talk of respect for the sea, his discarded net will drown that whale.

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  6. Great story!!! I just saw a YouTube video of a humpback whale being rescued from fisherman's netting. Some whale watchers in a dmall boat noticed her and got close enough to cut the netting, freeing her fins and finally ger tail. The whale spent the next hour playing and doing flips in the water while her rescuers watched ������

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    1. I saw that video, Jan - it may even have been what prompted my subconscious to write this story!

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  7. Dear Liz,

    Quite a story. I hope someone rescues the whale.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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    1. Not all stories have a happy ending :(

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  8. Oh dear! Bet there would have been a big wail if they knew what their net did.

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    1. That is a dreadful pun, Subroto, but thanks for commenting!

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  9. I’m intrigued! (Hope you feel better soon.)

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    1. Thanks Dawn - I feel fine, just can't read for long and keep bumping into things!

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  10. Oh no! I wasn't expecting that! Great story, Liz.

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    1. Charlie's respect for the environment went out of the window. Thanks for dropping by, Susan.

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    2. Charlie's respect for the environment went out of the window. Thanks for dropping by, Susan.

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  11. What a shame. Charlie will probably never know the harm he did unless the whale washes up on shore. Good story and writing, Liz. ---- Suzanne

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    1. Thanks Suzanne - if Charlie had real principles instead of just prejudices he wouldn't have cut his net loose.

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