This is my submission for this week’s Friday Fictioneers that is ably hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields.
You can read about Friday Fictioneers at the end of this post.
Join us.
Below is the picture prompt for this week and below that is my story.
Picture copyright Douglas M. MacIlroy
Interminable
Genre: Paranormal(?)
“Sir, father says you want to leave us.”
“Yes John.”
“Why? Don’t you like it here?”
“I do like it, son. No offence, but our work seems less and less …noble.
We used to wage war, carry great men, ferry important luggage, move the ailing.
Now we only work to amuse, fight mock enemies, run for the entertainment of idle men and gamblers”
“You mean you think horses no longer do important work?”
The man stroked the horse’s mane.
“No, son. I mean Speed and I need to find an antidote for the waters of immortality we drank centuries ago.”
—-
100 words
Enjoy the stories by other participants here:
I read all your comments and I appreciate them, even if I take long to respond and even if I do not respond to each comment individually.
Comments
I struggled with the prompt this week, especially knowing that there would be several very good stories posted, as happens every week. I wanted to write something about a unicorn. I hope someone did 🙂
I was happy to see Kenya in our Great Leader’s list 🙂
I noticed that a word was missing from my post last week. No one pointed it out. Maybe we all did not notice.
About Friday Fictioneers
Friday Fictioneers is a group that works as follows:
Every week you get a picture.
Prompted by that picture, you write a piece of fiction that is 100 words long (or as close as you can get).
You add a link to your story on the Fictioneers page, and read the varied and awesome stories by the other Friday Fictioneers.
Feel free to join us! Everyone is welcome.
very well written! Very deep! I am still struggling with this week’s post and I am also as delighted that Kenya featured in the list 🙂
Thanks! 🙂
Very well done, Abraham. I see the horse and rider either need to reinvent themselves or let go of their glorious past and embrace the future.
Denmother
Good story and successful surprise ending.
It was a difficult prompt – I agree. But you did very well with it. Nice one.
I’m in good company 🙂
Yes, the noble duties of the horse are mostly past. But that does not mean there is no place for them in this world. A horseless world would be a boring one. I have neighbor across the road that always has beautiful horses roaming their green pasture.
Hello Abraham, it’s good to be able to see your story this week, as my computer told me last week that there was malware on your site. I sent a message to you did you get it? I like your story, especially the end, it doesn’t look like you struggled. 🙂
Yes I got your message and I replied. I don’t know why that message appeared for some visitors. Thanks for visiting and commenting!
Hi, Abraham. Hope you’re ready for a good weekend. I think reversing the waters of immortality is going to be quite a chore!! Good luck to them. I think that the horses I know out in Wyoming still have noble lives and they live most of their lives in relatives freedom. Maybe these two should head for the mountains of Wyoming. 🙂
janet
🙂
I enjoyed your take on the prompt, especially the parts about one’s usefulness. It made me think of so many elders and how useless they feel, no longer helpful or living with purpose. You piece made me think on another level Abraham. Thank you.
That was lovely. With a lovely twist at the end, like the twist is Unicorn’s horn. But kind of sad too.
Thanks! Yes. I sometimes think I would not want to live to be, say past 100. I think it would get lonely and everything will have changed so much.
An original take on the photo. I love the way you associated the water hose as the fountain of youth. Great job.
Dear Abraham,
This very well could be my favorite of yours so far. Smooth and believable dialogue with a clear message. I hear the strength in the older man’s voice by the way you’ve written him. There’s depth between the lines and the ending delivers a punch. Nicely done, Sir.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Wonderful unique take to the prompt…
horses still do good for the soul of a man and woman
Wow, that’s a very interesting idea. I loved it.