Sunday Photo Fiction is a weekly challenge to write a story of less than 200 words, based on a photo prompt. To join the fun...
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This week's photo inspiration comes from Anurag Bakhshi.
“Am I pretty? I think I need to be pretty? What’s pretty?”
“Hello! We say, ‘hello’.” Lily was going to have to teach the friend she made.
“Hello? Hello!”
“I made you and just gave you life. Do you want a name?”
“Yes, please. A pretty one, please. Am I pretty?”
“Pretty enough for me. I will call you ‘Meili’. That means ‘beautiful’.”
“Oh, thank you! Can we play together?”
“Well, sort of, but you can’t go anywhere. You have to stay here and keep birds out of the flowers.”
The fabric head tilted forward ever-so-slightly. “Oh. Flowers are pretty. I like pretty.” Meili’s head returned upright. “I wish I could see them better.”
“Maybe my daddy can fix your neck, so you can bend more.”
Just then, Lily’s mama called from inside. “Lily! Come inside! It’s time for lunch and you have to do your daily reading!”
“Oops! Bye!” as she started to run to the door, her new friend shouted, “Wait! My neck!”
“Yes, yes. Later. Bye!”
Meili was still calling after her, “My neck! Flowers! Pretty! Pretty flowers! Help!” Lily didn’t see the tear that escaped her painted eye, until it had already left a stain.
Words: 199
This was poignant.Good one!
ReplyDeleteI'm so awful at this type of challenge - you did well (and it was even a little sad - a sign of a good story)
ReplyDeleteWell, I don't do these often, because if I look at the picture and nothing jumps into my head, I just don't bother. lol.
DeleteThank you.
Kind of sad and kind of creepy. A child who can create life? That can't be good...
ReplyDeleteYeah, she was putting away a box of magic powder at the beginning, but I had to cut it down to meet the word limit.
DeleteWow! You are good at this.
ReplyDeleteI think I can write dialog. It must be all those plays I've done.
DeleteI enjoyed your story very much. I hope to see more of you on SPF.
ReplyDelete~Susan
Thank you! It's hard to keep it so short. This one seems to take giant leaps, to me. I want to keep up with SPF. It's good practice.
DeleteRed,
ReplyDeleteAhhh, what a sweet story! I felt sorry for Meili calling after the little girl. I hope Meili gets her neck fixed so she can see the pretty, pretty flowers. :)
I don't think she can ever trust Lily again. :(
DeleteIt was weird. The story twisted as it came out. I didn't intend it!
Ah I enjoyed this!
ReplyDeleteThanks Paula. I appreciate that. I'm still trying to get the hang of it.
Delete