Here is this week’s posting for Friday Fictioneers, a group of people who write a piece of fiction in around 100 words based on a photo prompt. The group is hosted by Rochelle Wissoff-Fields and you are cordially invited to read, and comment and join in too if you feel like having a go! Last week I didn’t get around to seeing all the posts so my apologies to those I haven’t got to yet. I will. 🙂 You can find the story beneath the photo prompt below, I hope you enjoy it. 🙂
From Scott Vanatter with permission-Copyright- Indira
The Colonel (100 Words)
“This is it. This is the spot.” Gerrard said grimly, passing out shovels.
“C’mon, let’s dig.” Shovels scraped and rang on the stony ground while they grunted from their labour.
They lowered the large wooden box into the ground, the sun their only witness.
Gerrard said prayers while they filled the hole, tears drawing lines on the mourners’ dusty faces.
He took up a piece of wood and etched the words ‘The Colonel’ then set it as a headstone. He pinned a curly polaroid of a Labrador on it then, united in grief, the three boys headed home.
Great story Jd. Liked the part ..’ tears drawing lines on the mourners’ dusty faces.’
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Thanks. 🙂
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Brought back memories from when we had a little kitten that we buried and mourned as kids….
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I think that pets are an important way for children to learn about responsibility towards others, about death and how to deal with grief. Thanks for sharing Bjorn. I am sorry! I can’t find how to get that ‘o’ with the two accents over it! 🙂
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Nice story, liked – ‘shovels scraped and rang on the stony ground while they grunted from their labour’ great description.
Dee
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Thanks Dee. 🙂
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Very good. Reminds me of all our 6 dogs (two of ours, two each of my daughters) buried up in the mountains of our 4 acre mountain property in the Colorado Rockies and how we have a stone in place as a marker for each. Very sentimental and always visit them all when we are up.
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Hello Joyce, how wonderful to have a holiday home in such a beautiful place. Sounds like a nice place to be laid to rest. Thanks for stopping by and sharing. 🙂
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I see what you mean about our great minds on the same track. (Cough, cough.) 🙂 I like the idea of pinning the picture to the tree. Just one thing–no capital “S” in “sun.” 🙂
janet
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You know I looked into this one because that was my thinking, but then I went and misread the advise! Thanks for that one, I will change it right now! 🙂
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Done. 🙂
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I thought it was soldiers until the curly polaroid. Terrific twist. Responsibility and honor for an old friend. Nice!
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Thanks Stephy, I’m glad I got you with that one! 🙂
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we are burying animals and loved ones at this tree
well done
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I sure hope there is enough room for them all! 🙂
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Awww…A lovely grave for a beloved pet.
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🙂
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Jd this brought a teary eye this morning as I read and I went and touched the carved wooden box in my kitchen where my ‘Tarsha’ lies to rest. Thank you for this and the follow which I gladly reciprocate. x
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Thank you Jenny, good to see you. 🙂
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This is good. Rich with meaning because I think in real life, children would do exactly that if they could for a loving pet. Very well written.
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You are always so kind Penny, thank you. 🙂
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Very moving. Well done.
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Thanks Sandra, I am happy you liked it. 🙂
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How beautiful and moving. I love the way that you and others have used the tree as a headstone for animals. The feelings in the people coming across is magnificent.
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Hey thanks! I am just getting through the other stories now Alastair and yours is up next!
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🙂
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Dear JWD,
The death of a pet is akin to the death of a family member. They leave trails in our hearts. The pets I’ve lost I still think of often and remember as friends. I love this well-told story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you Rochelle, they certainly do leave their mark don’t they? 🙂
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Neat tale, well told.
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Cheers Brian! 🙂
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Nice twist at the end – I loved the description of the shovels. They must have all really loved that dog!
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Hi El,I am glad you liked. 🙂
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I especially liked the lines “the sun their only witness” and “…tears drawing lines on the mourners’ dusty faces.” Great sense impressions that really make you feel the story.
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Thank you Mystikel, I am so glad you liked it. 🙂
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You had me guessing right up to the end who “the colonel” was. I was thinking horse, but that’s because of the last story I read.
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Hi David, If that was in order it would have been Janet’s story. A similar plotline and she did it so well! It’s great it kept you guessing, even if it was only which animal! It’s true that Colonel sounds like a horse, you must have seen 101 Dalmatians the (cartoon version), as there was a horse called Colonel in it! Thanks for reading and taking the trouble to comment. 🙂
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a tender, well-written tale.. i love the twist at the end.. that was very sweet
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Thank you kz. 🙂
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Really conveyed the strength of feeling they had for their best friend.
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Thanks. 🙂
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I have never had a pet but some of my friends have. Recently I stayed for a few days at a friend’s place who has this huge black dog(I am bad with the names of species) and he is just 5 months old..
I was scared initially.. I usually am.. But how long could I stay away, he would come to me every time he got a chance. It was amazing when I finally struck a bond with him. So much so that I miss him now..
Your story reminded me of him again.. Though he is hail and hearty! 🙂
Emotional story!
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Thanks for visiting and sharing Parul. 🙂
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Really effective – nicely done 🙂
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Thank you. 🙂
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The Colonel–a good name for a dog–has dignity (like his burial). Nice story.
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Thanks vb. 🙂
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Great twist at the end. I was thinking Civil War or something along those lines, so it was fun to be surprised like that.
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Hello Sheila, I am happy to surprise you. 🙂
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Awwww…. you got me at the end. Brought back memories of my beloved pets.
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They get you like that, don’t they? Thanks for reading. 🙂
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they are united in grief and their love for the dog depicted well in this story
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Thanks Padmini. 🙂
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The title had me thinking, at first, it was a war story. Was almost grateful it was a dog. You don’t want a cat in the dog’s place do you? Trying to give mine away. She’s driving me nuts.
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I know the feeling! Mine keeps sitting on all the clean washing before I get a chance to put it away. 🙂
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That was lovely, “the sun their only witness” my best line for some reason.
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Thanks Camgal, glad you liked it. 🙂
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Love the twist, and love the grim determination you can feel from all of these boys. For all that it’s a story about death, it’s also a story about respecting all life.
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Sometimes you write a story and others things unspoken are inferred and that is a joy to see. Thank you for visiting and commenting. 🙂
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A well written tale or should I say tail…Dogs play an important part in our lives, guardians of the night, companions and sometimes just our best friend who is by our side when we can not stand the company of well wishing, advise giving humans. Nice!
Tom
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Thanks Tom, I think the bonds between humans and dogs run the deepest of all of those between humans and animals. Thanks for commenting. 🙂
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That was terrific. You caught me by surprise, so I didn’t have time to cry. I love animals and this really was a succinct little tale of tragedy all of us animal lovers have to face.
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Thank you for your very kind words. 🙂
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While some replace four footed family members quickly…
The last of ours to go…was not replace. Some are irreplaceable.
I liked this and the effort and emotion of your characters.
Thanks for your visit.
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Nice to see you too Jules, thank you. 🙂
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Hey jd A poignant piece with a lovely tone and pace.
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Thank you Nick. 🙂
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As an animal lover who has buried her share of beloved pets, this story really hit home for me. Really well done! Excellent wording. I could see it being done and feel the emotion. 🙂
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Thank you very much Jackie, I am so glad you liked it. 🙂
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loved the twist at the end, it moved like “The Black Company” and I was thinking of what soldiers feel when they leave brothers behind.
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Thanks Bill, that was the intention so I am glad it worked. 🙂
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The mood of your story well shows the sadness of burying a pet, a beloved friend.
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Hi Zooky, thanks for commenting. 🙂
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I was a bit thrown by the tears until I realized who and what they were burying, then it made perfect sense and became so very touching. I can see the boys trudging home with slumped shoulders.
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This is touching. Grief is so universal. But it hit me on a very personal level too because I have a dog and he’s a part of our family and I can’t begin to imagine such a day coming along.
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Hello Nandini, this story seems to strike a chord with dog owners particularly I hope you didn’t stay sad too long. 🙂
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Cuddled with my dog right after. Everything was ok 🙂
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Sad, poignant, and very true to life. NIcely done.
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Hello Erin thank you for visiting and your kind comments. 🙂
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Aww..that is both sweet and sad
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Love This! Reminds me of all my furry friends that got lost or buried along the way. 🙂
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Thanks Sandra, you wouldn’t believe how many animals and people the Fictioneers buried under that tree last week!
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Thank you for visiting my blog today. I appreciate the time you took to stop by. May your day be filled with joy and peace.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
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You are most welcome, thank you very much. 🙂
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