Sunday Photo Fiction is a weekly challenge presented by my old friend Al Forbes.
The idea is to write a short story (200 word max) inspired by what you see in the picture (below).
This week’s prompt, utterly baffling to me, comes from that sweetest of ladies, the lovely Jules Paige.
My story pays homage to people across our planet who were sacrificed for imperial greed.
Click on this link to enter your tale, and to see what others have written.
© Jules Paige
Click here to hear the author read his words:
New Year’s Revolution
Music is prohibited.
Since they occupied our small country, the invaders have tried to suppress our culture.
All musical instruments were confiscated and destroyed.
Singing is forbidden, except for the martial hymns to their allegedly divine leader.
Our own anthem has been outlawed, even at sporting events.
Mothers are not allowed to croon the ancient lullabies to their babies.
Children at play are being punished for singing as they skip.
At school they are taught the songs of the oppressor.
But tonight everything changes.
For months we have been working, crafting new musical devices.
Across the land people are producing lyres and harps, lutes and flutes.
And, of course, the traditional instrument which embodies the spirit of our land.
The invaders fear its voice above all others.
For centuries armies have quailed at its mighty cry.
Narrow minds decry it, but we understand its beauty and its power.
It speaks for our mountains and lochs, of our glens and tumbling rivers.
Tonight, as we march on Capital City, it will shout out the new revolution.
At midnight, behind a thousand bagpipes, we fight for freedom.
Sound Bite Fiction 
This made me think of my granddad that I never met. He was in the Black Watch and died after contracting TB being in a Japanese POW camp.
The sound of a thousand bagpipes would be truly terrifying.
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This is really beautiful hearing you read it, this one in particular. I’m not sure if you’ve ever seen the TV show ‘Outlander’ it’s about a nurse from the 1930’s who somehow, through some old Scottish ruins, goes back in time to Scotland before this all happens. I’m only at the end of Season 2, season 3 is on TV, but I’ll wait for Netflix. Anyways, your writing for this week reminds me very much of this story. Of this woman going back in time, and knowing the future that waited Scotland, how they would outlaw the music, their unique culture, break up clans etc. It’s such a sad thing that any culture would be quelled when their greatest danger to England, was that they simply wanted to be left to live their life in their way. Hugs CE.
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A beautiful tribute to Scotland, C.E. I love that piece. Happy New Year 2018! 🙂 — Suzanne
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I enjoyed reading a different take on the prompt. It took me a minute to see the connection to the prompt (not that I doubted). An excellent story, as always.
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I suppose wind art would be baffling if one didn’t know what it was….
I’m not sure if there is any music created by the turning arms – so near the train station where whistles toot arrivals and departures. I hope to read all the fine entries to see where the photo has taken words.
Bagpipes have a unique sound indeed. May all who are oppressed hear the music of hope and carry on.
Happy New Year to you and yours 😉
Thanks for stopping by to find out my view 🙂
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Awesome. I positively love bagpipes. Since they were played on the battlefield I can imagine the oppressors didn’t care for them much.
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Love the story and the music! A very Happy New Year to you! 🙂
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Happy New Year to you! My piece was also music inspired. I liked your take immensely. 🙂
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You took me to Edinburgh. Today of all days. I’ll drink a wee dram to a find story.
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Yes!
Revolution building around proscribed music is a brilliant device in your story, for what is music but the universal language of the human heart to the rhythms of its emotions and yearnings?
Music has power to move and stir; it is quite a formidable force.
Love your title and links by the way.
Something about bagpipes is electrifying to my Breton DNA. 😉
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