{This post is a response to a challenge by Friday Fictioneers, run by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. We are given the mission to write a 100-word story, inspired by the prompt. Thanks again for the inspiration, Rochelle, and thank you all, for reading!}
Little Mika held my hand, as we strolled past.
Books. Broken furniture. Cast-off toys. Chipped plates.
She abruptly stopped. Set upright, against a table of trinkets, the oval mirror was the same height as Mika.
“Something here you like, honey?” I asked, aimlessly fingering through the miscellany.
“There!”
Mika turned. Her dress followed, a graceful swirl of pink. She began to run.
I chased her to the mirror’s reflection: a graying old garden shed.
The homeowner shot me a look. I shrugged.
“Seems small.” Then, triumphantly, “It must be here!”
“What?” I asked.
Rolling eyes.
“The White Elephant, of course!”
I didn’t know the term white elephant sale, but now that I know it, I can appreciate the story even more. A great glimpse into the mind of an imaginative child. Wish we could have that imagination back.
I love when words have stories behind them, whether truth or legend. I just learned where the term came from myself. The most frequent usage is probably “garage sale”, around here, but i have been to a few white elephant sales, especially in my youth.
Of course! Where else would a white elephant be?
Makes sense, right? For some reason your comment came through twice, so I’m deleting one. 🙂
You never know what can be found in those sheds
You are right, there, Larry!
Oh I love the imagination of a child… but maybe she has seen somethingl
Kids can be so refreshing, pointing out the obvious, which we sophisticated grownups more often than not overlook. But you’re right. Perhaps the story has only just begun.
But of course…. <3
It only stands to reason…:)
Very imaginative!
Thanks Lisa! Children are, as a rule.:)
That made me laugh out loud. Nice one!
Perfect! I must tell my husband. He’s the one who can really tell a joke.
Ah, the mysterious white elephant. There’s always at least one at every yard sale, but boy, are they hard to spot.
I have looked in vain, Russell!
So much fun, Andrea. Gotta love children…
Fun is good, and from what I’ve observed,should always be taken very seriously. ?
Taking things literally adds to the search. Her understanding was met, with excitement. Fun.
It does seem much grander to be searching for an actual white elephant, than for some ordinary bargain, doesn’t it?
I love this! I was that sort of child.
I’m sure every outing with you was an adventure for the adults in your life!my heart always skips a beat when a kid runs off without warning.
Dear Andrea,
I love the way you captured the mind of a child in the last line. They are so literal, aren’t they? Made me smile.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you Rochelle. They sure are. If you say something to a child, theyll hold you to it!
Simply delightful and beautifully written.
Click to read my FriFic tale
Thank you Keith!!
Wouldn’t it be great if she really did find her white elephant 🙂
It sure would granonine. Im sure she would be delighted after guessing the only possible hiding place!
Wtty and clever. Well written indeed!
Thank you Jilly. Couldn’t resist!
I would love there to be an actual elephant inside that shed! 🙂
Don’t know if there really is, but Im sure you can find an old VHS of Dumbo lying around. ?
An imaginative mind!
Playing off the expression “white elephant sale,” to mean a rummage or garage sale, especially a large one, put on by a church or other charity for the purpose of raising money. Wikipedia says the King of Siam gave some servants he disliked white elephants, as parting gifts, in the hopes that caring for them would prove such a burden, as to bankrupt them. So…from literal, to figurative, back to literal in this story!
The literal mind of a child 🙂 Though that shed does have a “white elephant” feeling about it!
Something is definitely lurking in there!