AnElephantCant claim to be smart
He is rarely accused of being too bright
But when he sees this pic
It all seems to click
Perhaps he at last sees the light
Once again it is Friday Fictioneer time.
Where The Lady of the Lamp Rochelle shines gloriously into the night of numberless naturally knowledgeable narrators.
And AnElephant fumbles around in the dark as usual.
The idea is to write a very short story, circa 100 words, based on this picture prompt (below).
That’s it.
Copyright – Dawn M. Miller
Lamplight
No matter how many lamps I light, it always seems to be dark now.
Ever since my wife died, so unexpectedly.
When I was abroad, and that funny little French chap I met on the train to Paris just popped in.
And kept his side of the bargain.
No way I am keeping mine, he must think I am mad!
And he gave me all those serious warnings.
Like I care.
Strange man, what was his name?
Ah yes, Luc de Mons.
But why is it no matter how many lamps I light, it always seems to be dark now?
I hate that AnElephant always makes me think but I’m rather proud I got it this time around. My FF last week was similar though for a more SimpleMindedElephant.
You are so clever I really have to pay attention when I read your 100 words!
You are so sweet, Dawn, AnElephant is charmed by your praise!
This is clever
Took me a few times to get ‘it’ but it hit me finally with the wrath of a tornado!
P.S. I can’t get enough of this even after knowing the identity of Luc De mons
Very happy you persevered and enjoyed AnElephant’s little offering.
Thank you for your visit.
Wonderful. The light of his life is no longer with him. Nice take on this prompt.
Wonderful comment!
Thank you so much, Shirley.
It’s been too long since I visited. Loved this piece AnElephant 🙂
AnElephant is delighted to welcome back his sweet friend and is delighted that she finds her visit worthwhile.
Hugs
With a name like that and him being french too-no bargain could be straight,no? ;-)Poor guy-it definitely must be dark (and cold too) without a soul to warm him-maybe he will warm up once he reaches Luc’s lawn where I believe there is an eternal barbecue going on? ;-)Loved this well spun tale of dark mystique
Ooh, bit of Francophobia there, ma belle femme?
Your comments are apposite and your praise gratefully accepted.
Thank you.
Ha!ha!Never met a Frenchman or woman in my whole life-so no phobia ;-)Glad you liked my comments though 🙂
Well done!
AnElephant thanks you, sir!
I read the comments to “get it”. I thought it was a classic story of murder-swop. But no.
Nice writing.
Well, actually pretty close, but with a twist of course.
Be careful who you talk to on trains!
Thank you for kind words and taking time to comment, much appreciated.
Terrifying! I took me a few reads because at first I hadn’t understood the reference to Lucifer, but when I did, I was all “wow” 😀 Loved it!
Thank you, lovely lady, AnElephant appreciates that you take the time to comprehend his strange ramblings.
Hugs
😀
Luc(ifer) demon ( here Mons the town ) or Luc the evangelist and his “stronger than the demons” passage or even Luc the character in Personal Demons the book by Lisa Desrochers. AnElephantCan’t certainly opened possibilities for the readers. There is also the Catholic school Saint-Luc de Mons though! Maybe AnElephantCan’t studied there?
Good story and great use of the recursive format to close the loop, Tay.
Phew, analysed that a bit, didn’t you, Tay?
AnElephant failed to gain entry to the estimable seat of education for reasons of extreme dumbinosity.
Go figure, huh!
Glad you enjoyed his wee tale.
Fine by me! Idiot savant then? It still counts! 😀
Very imaginative. I’d say the devil’s in the details only in this case I think the devil is in the big picture.
Yup, sure is, Linda.
Heffelumpy hugs to you.
Is it Lucifer? I’m dumber than rocks – so it may not be. I think de Mons is demons. I still like it – you are all more clever than I. Thanks for the read!
Pretty smart rocks down your way, Nan, you got it in one!
Thank you for visiting and commenting.
The devil wears a french disguise this night.One really shouldn’t make bargains they can’t get out of. The devil always gets his price. No fear. very soon he will be surrounded by burning light. Very good story.
Thank you for your wise words,
AnElephant is happy you enjoyed.
I’m glad I read the comment above this, as I too was doing some research! I found a character in a YA trilogy, who is Luc de Mons, and of course evil. But, a mysterious man on a train… a gift… warnings… I think I would have listened!
Ok… duh! I posted, and then my response disappeared! Then again! I was about to type a third time (does AnElephant see how determined I am?) when I realized I was piling up responses at the top of the page! :-p
AnElephant hears you the first time!!!
Good thing I read the comment above this! I looked him up too… and found a trilogy with a Luc de Mons, who is evil… almost ran away with that one. However, a mysterious man on a train… a gift… warnings. I think I would have listened!
Very interesting! The only Luc de Mons AnElephant can find is a Saint!
But delighted to see you here again, sweet lady.
AnElephant should be delighted each week, as I always read his stories. If you post it, I’m there. 😉
Aaahhh…nice twist. At least it didn’t end in two deaths. Or does it? Hmmm…
Not within 100 words at least!
Thank you for visiting, always a delight to see you here.
Hugs
Nice metaphor with the many light and still dark. Even touching.
Thank you, dear lady, it is always a delight when someone catches the nuances.
AnElephant is glad you enjoyed it.
You demon-strate that everyone in this tale takes a dim view of things!
Boom boom!
Bad pun of the week award has just been won.
Thanks for your comment, AnElephant chuckles.
*modestly* Bad to awful puns are my thing …
loved the idea of the devil as a funny little French chap. not that i’d ever want to meet him in any form. clever tale. AnElephant did a wonderful job 🙂
Thanks, KZ, AnElephant worries that the devil can take any form!
Very clever! 🙂 I think he might be lingering in a very soul-less place.
He is, as AnElephant would say if he was less polite, in deep doodahs!
Glad you enjoyed.
I was going to search the name of this man, but I read all comments and replies… Not easy for me to understand all details but fascinated me this story… especially the lamps and the dark image… Thank you dear AnElephantCant, your writing fascinating me, even with my not enough language… Love, nia
No, AnElephant thanks you, Nia, for taking the time and making the effort.
He is happy that you are intrigued by his imagery, in 100 words it is not always easy to paint the whole picture.
Hugs
I didn’t get the reference to the guy’s name either, although I gathered from the comments, that others did. Great story though. I love the idea of it being dark, no matter how many lights he lights. It’s akin to Lady Macbeth still seeing the blood, now matter how much she washes.
-David
Thank you, David, it is not easy, as you well know, to spell things out in 100 words, and sometimes the clues are by necessity cryptic.
And cryptic clues are seen by some immediately, and by others not at all, not a measure of intelligence but where the mind happens to be, in AnElephant’s humble opinion.
And love your Lady M analogy, excellent!
You are clever!
You are delightful!
🙂
A very interesting story that begs to be continued. This is a really scary beginning. I think I’d try to change compartments.
Glad you like it, Patricia and Ruth and Susan.
Thank you for your visit and comment.
So Luc deMons bumped off the wife and now this guy wants to renege on the deal?? Not very bright, is he? 🙂
janet
Just like the lamps, Janet.
You got it in one.
Sometimes the darkness cannot be kept away.
I will add…this is brilliant! Luc de Mons…oh my. I am not sure he has much choice in upholding his side of this bargain.
AnElephant is humbled by your praise.
Thank you.
Make a deal with a demon and you will not come out of the other side very well. Great story from AnElephant
Well caught, Al!
You hit the nail on the head, old chum!
Thanks 🙂
It aroused interest from the very first line. Would like to know what was the other side of bargain?
Glad it captured you.
Sadly only 100 words and Rochelle will punch AnElephant’s lights out if he overruns!
Is Luc a demon or is this guy really dead and just doesn’t know it? Great story.
AnElephant leaves each reader to decide about Luc****.
Glad you enjoyed.
AnElephant makes me jealous with his swift and witty pen, smiles. I am still fumbling about for a “Bright” idea to participate!
AnElephant blushes with pleasure, he loves flattery from a pretty lady.
And awaits your illuminating tale.
Dear Elephant,
I’m a little puzzled by Luc de Mons. I looked for a reference and couldn’t find one. I get the impression he’s a demon or the devil himself. Am I warm? Nonetheless, a well done story. I like the way you brought the first line around to the end.
Not sure which I enjoyed more, your intro or your story. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
Ah, Rochelle, unlike you to be slow, dear lady, but you got there anyway.
Extend the first name (by 4 more letters) and remove the space from the second et voila – two big clues!
Happy you enjoyed AnElephant’s intro, he does try to entertain.
Oh!!!! D’oh. Love it!
There you go!
AnElephant chuckles, sometimes we just miss the obvious!