- Young blindfolded girl, playing pin the tail on the donkey, against an outdoor concrete wall. PHOTO PROMPT © J Hardy Carroll
{This is in response to a photo prompt by Friday Fictioneers. The assignment is to write 100 words.
This picture made me think of birthday parties, and the girl, all alone, made me think of birthday parties, where no guests show up.
I came up with this scene, including the somewhat impoverished circumstances, in which this wonderful mother and child live. A Piggly-Wiggly is a Southern grocery chain, often found in lower-income areas in Florida, in my younger years.
Of course, I immediately realized, that a girl this age would surely invent a companion, if none were at hand. So, with that in mind, thank you for coming by. And please, enjoy!}
“Round and round and round we go, and where we stop, nobody knows!”
Eighth turn: Mama let Angel go. She staggered, a whirligig in her brain.
“Is Clemmy watching?”
“Course, honey. She’s here, with me.”
Angel gulped a brave, toxic, urban breath, and strode forward. Her shadow eclipsed the bright concrete Piggly-Wiggly wall.
Fingertips grazed paper.
“There!” A tassel quivered, mid-body.
“Wonderful, honey! What’s next?”
Bandanna yanked, Angel whirled and reached out.
“C’mon Clemmy! Time for cake!”
Laughing, they raced.
Neck and neck, careening across the hot parking lot, and through her chipped orange door.
Hard to tell, who won.
I think that sometimes you just have to play along.. maybe she will not really see how bad it is.
Yes I agree. Thanks Bjorn!
Lovely, happy story
Thanks Michael!
Dear Andrea,
I’m glad the story ended happily with cake. Sweet!
Shalom,
Rochelle
You brought out a child’s mental world so beautifully. I’ve seen kids share stories of what happened in school with dogs. I believe dogs lend a good ear 🙂
Thanks Reena.
A lovely tale made all the sweeter by a helping of cake!
My story – ‘A stab in the dark’
Thanks Keith.
A nice family celebration of birthday. A happy environment. Nicely painted.
Thanks Abhijit.
A party and no one turns up. Nightmare, even for an adult.
Glad the little girl had fun.
They both had their own coping mechanisms, I am sure.
Sounds like a happy birthday for her.
It doesn’t really matter who won when they’re having fun 🙂
Again, I fear I have been too subtle. The point is, that there is only one little girl.
Ah, now it matches your intro! I’m pretty bad at reading post titles as well.
Thanks for the re-read draliman.
Lovely scene of childhood innocence. Nicely done.
Thanks Iain.
A poignant story, with good visual descriptions. There were Piggly Wiggly stores in souther Minnesota, too!
I didnt know that, granonine.
Sweet story – very vividly written. Well done!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
Thank you Susan!
A happy story with a happy ending, Andrea. Well written. 🙂 — Suzanne
Thanks Suzanne.
I like that your story had a happy ending–and cake!
You can’t beat cake!
I liked the action and I know a piggly wiggly store in South Carolina and do this was on my mind for setting 😉
Thanks prior. Quite an energetic little girl. Great minds think alike!?
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