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28.12.17

SABU'S CHRISTMAS GIFT - a story in one hundred words

SABU’S CHRISTMAS GIFT

Sabu’s baby sister’s death from cholera was the final straw – wearing only shorts and rubber sandals he walked to the city, his mother’s wails ringing in his ears.
He swept a school in exchange for lessons, ate the scrapings of more privileged students’ plates, slept in his broom cupboard.

Each Christmas he walked home – each year there was one child less.
It took him five years to qualify, two more to earn enough, but finally he drove a rattling lorry home, where eager hands helped him unload its contents.

On New Year’s Day clean water began flowing from Sabu’s pump.
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Ted Schulz's photo prompted this story, although I rejected several other ideas along the way! Thanks to https://rochellewisoff.com/ for hosting Friday Fictioneers - and as I'm off to my brother's house for lunch Right Now I shall leave you with best wishes to a prosperous 2018 and sign off. Bye!!

20.12.17

COFFEE, ONE SUGAR - a one hundred word story

COFFEE, ONE SUGAR

He was huddled in the doorway with a dog sharing his sleeping-bag, his hair spiked with frost. Alice put her latte down beside his blue nose and hurried on, too embarrassed to linger.
The next day she put the coffee into the man’s hands, and when his icy fingers touched hers Alice blurted out, “How do you cope?”
He hugged his dog. “We keep each other warm.”
“What else can I bring you?”
“A hat would be welcome.” He raised the coffee and surprised her with a broad grin. “And less sugar – it’s bad for the dog.”

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I tried to write a different story today but this one forced its way through! Last week I turned a fleece blanket from an aeroplane 'comfort kit' into several warm hats for a homeless charity - they were so easy to make, and I have more than enough blankets. Perhaps you could do the same in your neck of the woods this winter?
Thanks to Bjorn Rudberg - who else could it be? - for the photo prompt, and to https://rochellewisoff.com/  for hosting Friday Fictioneers.
Great excitement this morning! I received an email from Amazon telling me my first royalty payment will be sent soon! I must admit I wasn't expecting one yet - sales of my book A Volcanic Race have been disappointingly slow - and I won't be retiring on the proceeds or even covering expenses, but it's a first for me :) 
On that positive note, I must thank every one of you for taking the time to read my stories and hope that you continue to do so in 2018. HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!!!

14.12.17

MAN IN BLACK - a story in one hundred words

MAN IN BLACK

The man in black’s sudden appearance at the meeting caused a ripple of consternation, but his demeanour made the Chairman of the Local Amenities Committee reluctant to evict him.
Within moments the proposal for a new bowls pavilion was rejected in favour of lighting the long path which ran diagonally across the park. Councillor Jarvis, the lone objector, was overtaken by a coughing fit, and the vote was carried unanimously.

The tall globular lamps became known in the local pubs as ‘that useless load of balls’, but all laughter ceased when aliens landed a spaceship on the brightly-lit runway.
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This dramatic image is the cover of my book A Volcanic Race, which is now available on Amazon in most countries, in print or ebook.
Written with a teenage main character, it is suitable for all age groups from early teens to pensioners, and would make a splendid stocking filler.
No stocking is complete without a book!
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Thanks to Sandra Crook for the photo of a lamp which inspired me and other Friday Fictioneers this week, and to Rochelle for hosting the group on  https://rochellewisoff.com/

7.12.17

PARTITION - a story in one hundred words

PARTITION

A Government official drew a line on a map and overnight we became aliens in our own country. Old enmities rose like vomit – neighbours took our homes and land.
Driven by soldiers and by fear, we walked for weeks, carrying our young and old, until we reached this place. At first we were glad to rest, but the shelter was an illusion. Crammed in like market animals, fighting for space and food, the noise and stink were indescribable.
Then disease came – weakened by starvation, many died, and our prison oozed despair.

The day I buried my babies, even the trees wept.
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The plight of refugees in many parts of the world is close to my thoughts while we prepare for a peaceful family Christmas here, so Dale Rogerson's photo prompted me to write this story for Friday Fictioneers, hosted my the lovely Rochelle on her blog  https://rochellewisoff.com/

My book A Volcanic Race, which is for sale now on Amazon, is also available to borrow from the town library in Ingersoll, Ontario, which is some consolation in view of my failure to get a copy - or even a leaflet - into my local library. I would also be delighted if some of you FFers bought a copy of your own and posted a review :)