Friday Fictioneers is hosted by the wonderful Rochelle, the undisputed master of what I call Sound Bite Fiction.
She sets the weekly challenge, and the standard.
This week’s photo is by the ultra-talented Sandra Crook, and portrays an intriguing gizmo.
To the less technically aware among you, that is a thingummyjig.
My tale tells of wondrous wodjacallems.
The idea, as always, is to write a story of around 100 words based on the picture, below.
© Sandra Crook
Sand Storm
Her behaviour catches my eye as much as her looks.
She talks softly to herself as she draws images in the sand.
I am old, but not totally immune to the charms of a pretty girl on the beach.
I watch her, discreetly, for some time.
Then I adopt my friendly elderly gent persona, and approach.
She answers with a smile.
I am casting a spell to steal a soul, she tells me.
Is it working, I laugh.
She scratches a shape between us, then makes a swirling gesture with her hand.
We whirl away in a vast sand storm.
Wow, great story! I love the ending, totally unexpected.
Wow, great comment!
Thank you, Lori, I am smiling now.
My pleasure dear 🙂 so glad I could make you smile 🙂 Have a great weekend!
Good story, C.E. Not being an elderly man but an elderly woman, I see this story differently. On the other hand, maybe she isn’t interested in women, elderly or otherwise. From reading fairy tales, I seem to remember some old magical women making themselves young. Let’s hope it has a happy ending. Well written and truly magical. 🙂 — Suzanne
I suspect, Suzanne, that your view might be close to the author’s intent.
Happy ending doubtful.
But I really enjoy that so many people interpret the words so differently.
Wonderfully romantic and fanciful. I love it.
Rather like your sweet self, Margaret?
Thank you.
Ha! I have my moments.
Love this so much, those pretty girl’s at it again 😉
One lives in hope.
For my soul, some may say it is cheap at the price.
“Beware adopting the ‘friendly elderly gent persona’ one time too many,” she cautions, “Or you’ll be whirled away in a great story.”
Or even in a great comment, you might add.
Thank you, adh
Oooh…powerful story of magic and surrender. It sounds to me like this old gent is going to be perfectly happy being taken away by the lovely lass.
That is one possibility, Erin.
Thanks for your visit and your kind words.
Beware the smile of a pretty, young woman. I liked your tale and the twist at the end.
Well, yes, beware, but then follow blindly!
Welcome, Kathy, I hope to see you again.
Bewitching and intriguing! I think, whatever she did, it worked.
For some of us, Amy, it always does!
I think he is bewitched. Maybe she is worth his soul, but I doubt it. Romance with a sinister twist, why am I not surprised?
Um, because you have been here before, I guess?
And, in my limited experience, yes, it is worth his soul.
Loved this take on the prompt and your ingenious way of using the sand… Magical, well written , you do this so well CE
‘Magical, well written , you do this so well’ – on this high note, I think I will stop writing!
Hugs
Life in the ‘ole dog yet!
‘About Harry’, my 100 words!
Only briefly, Keith!
EXCELLENT! spinning and dancing off forever
Hmm, if you like, dear lady, I’ll leave you to that interpretation!
I’ll have to try that nice, elderly gent persona. What a way to go.
Sadly it only works once, Russell, so it is difficult to perfect.
Ahhh… m’sieur Ayr… methinks your soft side is creeping out more often. Some may see a sinister undertone, I dinna… I see a lovely older gent allowing a pretty young thing to seduce him and let him feel alive. I may be out on a limb on this one… but I care not!
Out on a limb, Dale?
You have a branch up your bum, my dear!
Pffft!!
Is that Canadian for ‘your bark is worse than your bite’?
Mmm hmm… but I wouldn’t test, were I you… 😉
i could only imagine what happened next after the dust …er, sand settled. 🙂
You have to, my good sir, because I have used my full quota of words!
That was a great twist, but I’m not sure she had to steal his soul. She already had his heart (or at least his libido).
Oh Jan, always the soft-hearted romantic.
Wait till you get to the bit where she roasts his flesh and eats him alive…
Last week a skirl and this a whirl and a swirl. What a way to go!
All I need is a girl with a twirl, and I’ll give it a birl!
Another new word for me with multiple meanings it would seem – are you suggesting a gamble, a log twirling contest (Dale would know about that one) or an immoderate consumption of alcohol or perhaps a combination of all three?
Well done. And I am at a loss for words.
Thanks, Em, and how unlike you, you usually have le mot juste for every occasion!
Not always as you well know.
Poor old chap – susceptible to the end!
Yep, a pure numpty.
Enjoyed that little swirl! 🙂
You just can’t beat a good swirl on a week day.
Fascinating tale, I enjoyed this! As for thingamagiggies, got lots of those, lol! Not quite as many wotchamacllits though, I find they are a bit more rare. 😉
Happy you did, Judee.
If you have any spare firdaddles I’ll trade you fardiddles for them, can’t get them in France.
Ooh, that was surprising. I’m still swirling. 😉
That must be a good compliment…!
You can swirl here any time, Carolyn.
I took it as such, thank you.
Nice twist, but I think I’d like to whirl away with her anywhere she wants!
Thanks, Perry, but not where she is taking him…
Good one. He thought he was going to be able to put on ‘elderly gent persona,’ and she only wanted his soul. What a scary young woman.
Like all women, Mandibelle?
Or am I overly cynical here?
And thank you, I always enjoy your comments.
Haha. You are very funny Ceayr. I think that is probably a bit cynical but I can understand the thought. I think the right woman would have the right guys soul/heart without asking. Although I think the soul is really Gods. 🙂
Oh they never have to ask!
I had a feeling he was really a bad old man… but it seems he met his fate… But I might be wrong.. Love how you picked up on the sand only.
No wrongs or rights here, Bjorn, I am happy that you interpret it as you see it.
Thanks, I don’t pretend to understand the workings of my mind.
Reblogged this on anelephantcant and commented:
AnElephantCant be interested in this stuff
Although he loves the photo by sweet Sandra Crook
But he does not care
About C E Ayr
He just wants to show off his super new look!
Oh, what a creative story! Very magical, and scary, too! Love the characterization of that old man! 🙂
Thank you for your kind words.
And he is a strange dude, for sure!
Full of magical potential, with a little undercurrent of dread running through this. You do this so well.
Thank you, Sandra, for your kind words.
I am as happy as a mythical Pink Elephant!
That last line portrays such a visual image. I want to whirl!
As Mr Cohen so aptly says:
Across the sand, I’m your man!
Magical, beautiful…the words are dancing. Nicely done!
Well, I thank you, you made my day!
Beautiful, you old romantic, you.
Yeah, what’s the odd soul between friends!
Dear C.E.
She certainly stole his soul didn’t she? What a way to go. 😉 Imaginative and clever. I’m never disappointed. And thank you for explaining the gizmo thingamagiggy.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Ah figgered sum yo purty lal fangs don’ know too much ’bout this kinda stuff, probly can’t tell a wathefuffzat from a hoojikipiv, too busy keepin’ y’alls hair nice.
Never disappointed?
If only life was like that…