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3.5.18

THIRTY-NINE STEPS - a 100 word story for Friday Fictioneers


THIRTY-NINE STEPS

The villagers called Seth simple, but his mother was a witch – if he wanted to build his staircase, no-one was brave enough to stop him.
When he carried log after log up the hill they mocked. “Those steps are far too big!” and “Who wants to go up there?”
Seth simply smiled. “You’ll thank me one day.”

Then the rain came – first a downpour then a deluge. The stream became a river, Old Jake’s cottage washed away, and the villagers retreated uphill.
Each over-large step held a family and, until the flood receded, there they stayed - scared and soggy but safe.
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There are a few people in parts of England who would have welcomed some steps to higher ground a few days ago, but the sun has now returned. Thanks as always to Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers on https://rochellewisoff.com/  and to Karen Rawson for the photo prompt.
Her photograph also reminds me of a trip many years ago to the Flinders Ranges in South Australia, where heavy rain turned a trickling stream into a raging torrent within half an hour, underlining the valuable lesson - don't mess with Nature.
I am feeling happy this week, as I and my novel A Volcanic Race have been given a lovely write-up on the Subscriber Spotlight pages of Writing Magazine's June issue. The article has already nudged one friend into buying a copy - click on the image at the top of this page if you would like to follow suit.


44 comments:

  1. How did Simple Seth know what was coming? I'm glad he used his knowledge to help others even though they belittled him.

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    1. His mother was a witch - it's in the blood.

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  2. So they have Seth's mother, the witch, to thank for Seth's stairs. Great story, Liz - and congratulations on the article about you in Writing Magazine!

    Susan A Eames at
    Travel, Fiction and Photos

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  3. I hope they thanked him! Lovely story Liz, and many congrats on the article.

    My FriFic tale is called Solace!

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    1. I hope they at least stopped calling him simple. Thanks Keith.

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  4. I think you should never underestimate anyone "simple"... great that they could all be saved

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    1. Quite right, Bjorn - the days when they were all locked away are not that far distant.

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  5. People seem to ridicule those whom they don't understand. Seth held their ground for them.

    And a big congratulations to you!

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    1. Thanks Susan - Seth simply ignored their jibes.

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  6. Dear Liz,

    In the end he didn't seem so simple, did he? Congratulations on the well deserved spotlight. I can't wait to find out what happens to Tom in the next book.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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  7. This was wonderful Liz and congratulations on the most well-deserved spotlight!
    Like Rochelle... I am awaiting with bated breath for book 2...

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    1. Thanks Dale, I am writing as fast as I can.

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    2. Just teasing... do what you have to do. I'll be here when it's ready!

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  8. Just because we don't know what people are up to, doesn't mean they're doing the wrong thing.

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    1. Exactly - we writers must look very strange when we're researching on location!

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  9. A great piece and well done on the write-up. :-)

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  10. Ah well done. You gently lead us by having the people comment on the size of the steps. Seth saves lives in this lovely parable, Jilly (Sugar on the Bee)

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    1. He stuck to his task despite the mockery.

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  11. A lovely story. And congrats on the write up. I haven't been through the latest couple of issues but I will do so now I know you await within!

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  12. Good job there was a witch at hand - and that she got Seth to prepare the steps. I bet some witches would have cackled as they drowned!

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    1. Some might, but not Seth's Ma, the White Witch.

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  13. I bet Seth inherited a lot of his mother's magic, and being different is often seen as being simple. A lovely story, Liz, and congrats on the write-up.

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  14. Great story telling. Congratulations.

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  15. Good story. It's almost a take on Noah's ark, only less drastic and more believable.

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    1. Thanks Penny, I like the Noah's ark idea!

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  16. What a lovely story. I hope they were nicer to Seth afterwards.

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    1. Thanks Clare. I hope so too, though people being what they are, they probably reverted to type when the emergence was over!

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  17. Wonderful story in 100 words !

    https://trailbrooklane.blogspot.com/2018/05/the-stairs.html

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  18. Aw, wonderful story. You can always learn something, even from someone you think is "simple."

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  19. Seth wasn't that simple. Made me think of Noah and his ark.

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    1. You are right, Irene. It didn't occur to me at the time, but another comment also mentions Noah.

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  20. Simple Seth, a simple man with a plan.

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    1. And the determination to carry it through.

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  21. Thanks for sharing this blog its very informative

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  22. I really like and appreciate your post.Thanks Again. Keep writing.

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