BLACK v WHITE
In the old days, Royalty from neighbouring kingdoms would
come to look down from the battlements and play the Game, but the trained
peasants gradually died off and the younger generation refused to learn.
The King tried cajolery and then force, but the villagers fought
off the soldiers. When two men died the village got its way and the Royal Game
was abandoned.
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Another 100 words story prompted by a photo posted on Rochelle's blog at:
http://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/ Friday Fictioneers is an online group, most of whom beat the Friday deadline thses days! to read their stories follow the link on Rochelle's blog - it's well worth it.
That's a clever story. So much in so few words. I sense a movie here.
ReplyDeleteA short movie, I think - are you a producer, by any chance?
DeleteLizzy, what an interesting take on the photo! It reminds me of the chess sets that are in some public places where the pieces are the size of people. Nicely imagined.
ReplyDeletejanet
Thanks Janet - the old lady in the photo looks so thoughtful that it set me wondering what was going through her mind.
DeleteOh, my! A lovely take on the prompt.
ReplyDeleteThanks Alicia.
DeleteGreat use of chess -- a theme I toyed with a little as well but couldn't really make it work. Sounds like the poor old princess is going a little batty there. :-)
ReplyDeleteNot baty - just reminiscent in her old age.
DeleteThat's a really original take on the prompt. Nicely structured and a great narrative style.
ReplyDeletethanks Sandra - I usually go with my first idea and it was only after reading Rochelle's story later that I realised they were salt pans!
DeleteI love that you captured so much time and so much change in 100 words. I can really see her as the old princess retracing the steps of the players from her childhood
ReplyDeleteI am glad I painted a picture clearly enough for you :)
DeleteI love the direction you took with my photo, Lizy– so creative and original! The narrative is wonderful, like a well told fairy tale.
ReplyDeleteThank you Dawn - and than ks for the photo - a wonderful shot.
DeleteWow! What a fantastic imagination you have Lizy. I would never have got such an unusual story from that picture.
ReplyDeleteSweet of you to say so, Sally - I call it a weird imagination, but I prefer your word!
DeleteDear Liz,
ReplyDeleteA novel in a few words. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Dear Rochelle - people keep telling me I should expand these stories! Now if I could nab an agent for the novels i HAVE written .. . . :D
DeleteDear Lizzy,
ReplyDeleteA wonderfully written vision of another time and place, Very well done. The image of the old Princess stalking the deserted playing field is beautiful.
Aloha,
Doug
Thank you Douglas - I wish I'd thought of 'stalking'.
DeleteWonderful story, I'd love to hear more.
ReplyDeleteThank you - maybe I'll write more, one day!
DeleteLiz, Interesting and creative story. I imagine the peasants would get tired of a game using them as pieces. Poor old princess. It would be lonely in that castle without family. Well written. : ) ---Susan
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan - one has to feel sorry for the princess who has outlasted her era.
DeleteInteresting photo, and yes there's a novel to write there, Lizy.
ReplyDeleteI believe the photo is of salt-pans but as I didn't take it I can't be sure.
DeleteMaybe there are changes that are for the good.. playing human chess sounds like a power game.. and kings could get away with it.
ReplyDeleteMany rulers - kings or dictators of another ilk - still do play games with people's lives.
DeleteVery creative use of the prompt! It does look like a chess board and the woman could well be an aging princess feeling nostalgic. It also works on the level portraying the decline in power of royalty in this day and age. It's super both ways!
ReplyDeleteThanks Perry - it was the chess board image that struck me right off.
DeleteGreat use of the prompt both as the tale of the lonely nostalgic princess and the decline of royal power in this day and age. Super post!
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you again!
DeleteVery creative and I loved reading all the comments. I love 100 word stories, a good exercise in keeping to the point.
ReplyDeleteKeeping to the point! I love that, Maggie, but sometimes it can be hard to get the point across in so few words.
DeleteGood take on the prompt, Liz. Very nice!
ReplyDeleteThank you wm - there are so many different ways to biew these prompts - that's what makes this weekly exercise such fun!
DeleteI remember a human chess board from the old British show "The Prisoner" starring Patrick McGoohan. Great story here, Liz.
ReplyDeleteThanks Russell - maybe that's where I saw one but I can't remember!
ReplyDelete