Written by jwdwrites

The Colonel

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. 🙂

gnarled-tree

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.


83 thoughts on “The Colonel”

    1. 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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  4. 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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    1. 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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  5. 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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    1. 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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  9. 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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  12. 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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  13. 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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  16. 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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    1. 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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  20. 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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  26. 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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  28. 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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  29. 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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  30. 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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  31. 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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  33. 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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  36. 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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  37. 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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