THE PRINCE
The neighbourhood was in
uproar and Petey watched from the garden, thrilled by the blue flashing lights. Eventually
his mum called him inside for tea. “Your friend Lucy’s missing.”
Petey ate a chip. “Mum – how long is a hundred
years?”
“A very long time,
darling.”
“More than one ordinary sleep?”
“A lot more – why?”
“Because Lucy’s sleeping for
a hundred years.”
His mum sat down with a
thump. “Petey – do you know where she is?”
Petey waved his fork
nonchalantly. “Course I do – I’ve got to chop through the hedge and kiss her.”
He pulled a face. “I’ll go after tea.”
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Thanks as always to https://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/ for the photo that prompted this story. I almost wrote one about my Pa, whom the scent of box hedges always brings to mind, so here is one of my favourite photos of him, taken many years ago.
Hope Lucy is a patient girl!
ReplyDeleteI bet Petey's mum made him go right away!
DeleteSets the imagination racing!
ReplyDeleteI considered writing a tragedy but I couldn't do it!
Deletegreat story. if petey believes in santa claus, he must be telling the truth.
ReplyDeleteThey're just kids acting out a fairy tale. :)
DeleteExcellent - clever to get such an elaborate story into so few words - love the photo, you have the same smile.
ReplyDeletethanks Helen - for both the story comment and for liking me to Pa. He used to write the best letters ever.
DeleteI hope the blue lights find the witch...and Petey finds his sleeping Lucy wide awake. Nice take on a fairy tale.
ReplyDeleteThank you bykimberly - I hope it's not raining on poor Lucy.
DeleteLove this - Sleeping Beauty in real life. Petey's nonchalance is great.
ReplyDeleteThanks Claire - he's a bloke in training, what else would you expect?
DeleteNice take on the prompt.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sandra.
DeleteDear Liz,
ReplyDeleteThis makes me want to run outside to look for Lucy. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Don't worry, Rochelle - Petey knows where she is!
DeleteI loved this story. There are various interpretations, but glad he was just acting out the fairy story! There is a definite likeness between you and your dad.
ReplyDeleteI reckon Petey was acting under orders from Lucy!
DeletePerhaps I have read to many horrors already this week but my mind sees another one in this.
ReplyDeleteI wondered if anyone would pick up that tiny hint!
DeleteI can just imagine this really happening—the ideas put in this kids’ heads, aside. Good work.
ReplyDeleteThank you - my kids were always acting out the stories they heard, and now my grandsons are doing the same.
DeleteTypical of a male! Love the photo of you Dad.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rosalind!
DeleteHe's enjoying the drama and panic all around! Mum definitely needs to watch this one. A fabulous story - and I love your comment that he's 'a bloke in training'.
ReplyDeleteThanks Marg - I brought up two boys and I have two grandsons - I know what the little beggars are like!
DeleteOh. I wonder if Petey knows what he has done... Fairy tales can dangerous inspirations.
ReplyDeletePetey obviously doesn't associate the hoo-hah with his and Lucy's game!
Delete“I’ll go after tea.”
ReplyDeleteHa ha, he has no idea of their game has done to the adults. Nice one.
I have a feeling his mum is about to tell him!
Delete