TABBY
I was
under the dresser when I heard Mum say Nan was really ill, and I pressed my
face into Tabby’s fur. Tabby is the best cat ever but she hissed at me.
“Come
away, Lucy,” Mum said but I couldn’t. Gross slimy things were coming out of
Tabby’s bottom, and it was even worse when she started licking them, but Mum
said, “Those are kittens. They came out of Tabby’s tummy like you came out of
mine.”
“And like
you came out of Nan’s?” I said and Mum cried.
That’s
how I knew Nan was going to die.
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This story was prompted by the above photograph posted on Rochelle's blog for Friday Fictioneers. Follow the Blue Frog icon on https://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/ to read more takes on the prompt from around 100 other writers. ......................................................................................
That's really moving, Lizy. So well crafted too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ros. I used to hide under the dresser when I was little, though ours didn't have doors.
DeleteGood one, Liz - like it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Robert - it took me a while to get it rght this week!
DeleteA little girl learns about birth and death in the space of 100 words - well done!
ReplyDeletePoor Lucy - that's a lot to contend with at a young age. Such a lot of story packed into so few words, well done Liz :-)
ReplyDeleteKids are resilient. Thanks Annalisa.
DeleteHeart-rendering. And very effective use of the child's voice to really pull at the heart-strings...
ReplyDeleteThank you Loma.
DeleteExcellent Llzy! Told in a way that a small child (and me) can understand. :D
ReplyDeleteThank you PJ - perhaps I'll try it out on my grandson!
DeleteThat was exceptionally done Lizy. A child's view of birth and death beautifully encapsulated. Well done.
ReplyDeleteSandra, thank you so much - you've made my day.
DeleteVery good, Lizy - what a closing line!
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan - sometimes 100 words aren't quite enough and I wondered whether what was in my mind had worked out on the page.
DeleteThe ending got me like a punch!
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting, Dawn, and I hope you recover quickly!
DeleteI guess this is how kids learn about birth and death. The last line was oh-so powerful!
ReplyDeleteHello, JJ - yes, this is one of the least painful ways for them to learn.
DeleteThe child's voice came out so well in the story. Wonderfully done.
ReplyDeleteThanks Subroto - I like getting in touch with my inner child :)
DeleteShe seems quite mature and accepting. It touched a chord.
ReplyDeleteNot a painful one I hope? Thanks for commenting.
DeleteA very bittersweet tale, I think there are moments when you learn about life and death... Lovely told
ReplyDeleteThanks Bjorn
DeleteDear Lizy, Great story - but didn't know I was so sick. (ha ha)! But, I'm back from vacation! I really liked your story! Nan
ReplyDeleteSorry I had to kill you off, Nan, but a writer has to make hard decisions occasionally about her characters!
DeleteLucy did a lot of growing up in those 100 words!
ReplyDeleteShe did - is that what they call a pivotal moment?
DeleteA moment of growth for Lucy. Beautifully described.
ReplyDeleteThaks Margirene - hopefully watching the kittens grow will take away the pain of losing her Nan.
DeleteDear Lizy,
ReplyDeleteWhat a way to learn of birth and death in a short span of time. Very well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you Rochelle - I actually saw kittens born under the dresser when I was about five!
Delete