Memory's a funny thing.
I last saw this image in 2013, yet I recognised it instntly, and I also recalled the story I wrote seven years ago - I even remembered the title, so it was easy to find in my archives!
So here it is again, with only a couple of tweaks and no apology - I think it's worth another outing - what's your opinion?
Oh yes, and thanks to Jean L Hays for the photo and Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers on her blog. https://rochellewisoff.com/
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BLUE
If I stand on a chair I can see people through the dolphin
window. The postman’s face looks really funny all blue, like an alien. So does
Daddy’s, but he turns pink indoors, which is so boring.
When Mummy came home from hospital last week I waved at her, but
she didn’t wave back because she was holding our new baby. His face changed to
pink in the house too, but I wished it would stay blue like my Smurfs.
Then yesterday Mummy screamed “He’s turning blue!” and the
ambulance came.
Did I kill my baby brother with my wish?
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For thos who don't know what they are, this is a Smurf. My children used to collect little plastic models of them, and there are several films.
Dark and clever, Trish.
ReplyDeleteWell done
Thank you Trish.
DeleteA compelling and veridical glimpse of child's reasoning
ReplyDeleteThat poor child will carry the guilt for ever, I fear.
DeleteThis is a good one. It is dark, but realistic. A lot of eldest children resent their siblings at first, even if they do not all wish them dead.
ReplyDeleteMy elder daughter bitterly resented her fifteen month younger sister. They're great friends now, most of the time!
DeleteDark and very imaginable. Quite unnerving, in fact.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading it, Sandra.
DeleteWell now, you led me along with such a happy-go-lucky little story to make me smile and then suddenly everything changed and my jaw dropped. Well done for taking me by surprise.
ReplyDeleteI didn't read this the first time around, but it was definitely worth a second airing!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
Thank you, Susan x
DeleteThat was fun, until the tragic ending, didn't see that coming. Well written Liz
ReplyDeleteThanks, Iain.
DeleteOy, poor kid. Children's magical thinking can sure get them into believing they are at fault for things they are not. :(
ReplyDeleteThey can believe they're responsible for all kinds of disaster.
DeleteDon't recall reading that one before, Lizy. Hope you allowed both children to survive.
ReplyDeleteIt was seven years ago, and I haven't yet written chapter two!
DeleteOh boy! That's how guilt complexes form. I really hope an adult picks up on her imminent change in behavior and is able to get her to verbalize her thoughts. Glad you reposted it, Liz, or I would not have seen it.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jade.
DeleteDear Liz,
ReplyDeleteThis was definitely worth the rerun. Such a dark story told with a child's understanding. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks, Rochelle x
DeleteVery funny...I think! Well done for sure!
ReplyDeleteFunny? That wasn't my intention!
DeleteDamn, now I am humming the smurf tune. Loved the child logic.
ReplyDeleteSorry for the ear worm- fortunately I don't know that tune!
DeleteYou took us right into the mind of a child. A lovely story worthy of another outing in 2028!
ReplyDeleteHere's mine!
Thank you, Keith.
DeleteGosh! I was enjoying it until the end came and hit me. I'm sure the baby survived and the little child was freed of guilt :) Great child voice, Liz!
ReplyDelete-Justjoyfulness
Thank you for writing a happy ending.
DeleteOh dear. Such a reflection on "be careful what you wish for." Great story.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bill.
Deletei don't recall reading this story. thanks for sharing it again. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading it, possibly again!
DeleteA dark ending but then at age five me and my cousins fed my sister a poisoned leaf (note not all plants are edible). Always helps when your Aunt and Uncle are doctors.
ReplyDeleteGosh! Did you do it deliberately?
DeleteI love how you threaded the color blue through the story, even to the dread-filled end. good job.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Eugenia.
DeleteOh, heavens! I hope that poor child didn't have to live with that guilty thought lingering in her mind very long!
ReplyDeleteI hope so too, though I haven't thought through the plot.
DeleteReminds me of the experiments I did on my brother to make him change colour. I only managed mud colour (you can guess how) and green.
ReplyDelete