In response to:
- Carrot Ranch May 14, 2020, flash fiction challenge: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that answers the question, “What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you are in absolute danger?” Go where the prompt leads!
- The Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday: Make the word “want” the first, second, or third word of your post. Have fun!
This is based upon a true story: a tale my mother told me about her time in the war — she was a spectator to this event. I admit I cheated; the rules for ‘Stream of Consciousness’ say ‘no editing’, but I had to edit to get this to fit into 99 words (no more, no less).
~~~~~
Image credit: John Debrey on Unsplash
“I want that,” said the German soldier, in badly broken French. His uniform was impeccable, though his command of the local tongue was not.
“What do you want?” responded the Frenchman, standing astride his bicycle.
“Your bicycle.”
The Frenchman shook his head. “It’s mine, you can’t have it!” he protested, and made as though to cycle off.
Calmly, the soldier reached into his pocket and brought out a pistol. He aimed it squarely at the Frenchman, who froze. The fear was evident in his eyes.
There’s a time to fight; and a time to admit that you have lost.
~~~~~
Word count: 99
Truth.
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… blast it, I can’t think of a single rejoinder. I’m always in awe of the way you always find a response to comments on your site, Goldie! Do you sell lessons, perchance?
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I’m still trying to figure that part out. I used to suck at it. Now, I have better and worse days.
Isn’t anything for sale for the right price?
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Anything? I’ll have a bushel of alien treasures, please!
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How much are you willing to pay?
Ah, know my generosity.
Here’s your product without payment. Only this once.
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That’s… interesting.
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This story, though short, is powerful on the fact that, although we are confident and moving forward, sometimes, somethings just shock us and stop us in our tracks.
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I think that these days in particular we need more of those — not, I hasten to add, from invading fascists; I’m thinking more of what’s happened with COVID-19 causing us to stop and think (now, if only we could get the same reaction to climate change, I might have some hope for our species).
Thank you very much for coming by, and for your comment. Much appreciated!
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Its really difficult to pull people towards climate change issues(its slow in comparison to what people pay attention to, where as COVID19 had grown faster than anything not imagined before), but this united efforts of all the nations and this feel of we are in this together sure has opened pathways into universal consciousness that might help us in realising that what is necessary to save the planet.
I am happy to, I like to engage in their conversations that arouse an interest in me and that which makes me think.
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Thanks for joining us at Carrot Ranch, pedantry! Maybe counting words doesn’t count as editing. ;-) I like how you caught a moment that had to be backed down
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Thank you for providing the inspiration!
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