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.
And the prompt, which this week is provided courtesy of JS Brand. Also known as John!
The idea, as always, is to write a story of around 100 words based on this picture, below.
© JS Brand
Click here to hear the writer read his words:
Carvings
Professor Weisekopf studies the carvings carefully.
Look, he says excitedly, they tell a story!
The team is on the site of an ancient burial ground.
They tread warily, this place is worshipped by the indigenous people.
Anything that might be misconstrued could have dire consequences.
Professor, an assistant points, what is that symbol?
How curious, he replies, it looks like a musical notation.
There is a restless murmur from the watchers.
Professor, I’ve got it!
Heads turn towards Ava, the young, pretty assistant, who is the story’s romantic interest.
She laughs delightedly!
And sings.
Fish gotta swim, birds gotta fly…
Sound Bite Fiction 
Nice one, Brian. Ava has that joie de vivre, so many lack
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Ava sure livened things up. Nice take on the prompt.
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What a happy story!
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It’s Monday already, where have you been?
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Busy girl…you know…attending my fans and such.
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Lovely write.
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Thank you, Lisa
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like the singing at the end and enjoyed your audio track
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Ah, you are more than kind. Most people say I have a face for radio and a voice for books.
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haha – that is funny.
and what I also liked about the audio was the inflection that enriched it.
for example,
I read many lines different from the way you said it – liek this one:
what is that symbol?
you placed the emphasis on “that” whereas in my mind the word symbol had the main emphasis –
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Thank you again, Yvette, if I may call you by your given name, you have got my week off to a great start.
I often wonder if the readings are worthwhile.
I am grateful that you were interested enough to pick up on the inflections, smart enough to understand the difference, and kind enough to take the time to share.
Inflections in speech are obviously difficult to communicate unless we pepper our writing with italics and/or capitals, which can reduce the impact when we really need to emphasise something.
Have a great week.
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you are right – the extras in the writing would pull from it.
and the other thing I noticed was that you slowed me down – as I read the nicely paced
audio I realized that I speed read (so easy to do with flash fiction) and I just sat back and chill-axed – and so do not stop adding the audio track….(maybe give us the feature to speed it up tho – kidding kidding)
and pleas feel free to use my name…
🙂
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Interesting story.
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Thank you, Indira. Always a delight to see you here.
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Thanks for saying that.
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And he sings! Fun take, C.E… and I love when there is an “Ava” in a group of “too serious” ones…
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Hmm, only just.
It was a dull story without her, wasn’t it!
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The introduction of Ava the romantic interest, made me guffaw! Brilliant thanks for making me laugh
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Thank you, sir.
That was easily my favourite line in the story.
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Inspired!!
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I was an archaeologist for ten years. Goodness. So much could be so boring! And hey! Anything that couldn’t be explained was chalked up to “religion.”
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I never thought of you as an ancient relic, Alicia. Nor boring!
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Archaeology, though interesting, can be sort of dry. Good for Ava, for attempting to bring a bit of joy.
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Life should be fun, Brenda, even on dry days, don’t you think?
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Good
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Great writing.
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Thanks, Neel, you are always a great support here
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You deserve all the accolades, Ceayr
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Young student Ava gave a clever answer. Who knows what exactly the musical notes say.
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Ava was always the entertainer!
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Clever ending, C.E.
I can only assume the next line of the lyrics will tell us who has to die.
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That’ll be me, Russell, but I’ve gotta love one man first, apparently
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Ah, bromance blooms.
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Nice story and an interesting song.
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Thanks, Jo
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What could be better than ancient indigenous folks, passing down a song through the ages? Or at least, the decades.
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Almost anything?
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🙂
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I have a feeling that professor Weisekopf might get some grey hairs… maybe next time he will see the “made in China” label on the back of the sculpture.
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So cynical, Bjorn, so cynical!
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Super story – I’ll be singing all day now!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Laughing. It is not an easy song to forget!
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The world needs more such Avas to make a fun, livelier place. Good writing Ceayr.
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Indeed, Neel! Thank you for your kind comments.
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You are welcome
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Archaeology and a song. What’s not to love about Ava?
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She was always a sweetheart! Just ask Frankie!
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Excellent – except I’m gonna have that song running through my mind for the rest of the day!
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It’s a nailer, isn’t it, Keith!
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Dear CE,
Lovely girl…might not make it as an archaeologist ;). Fun take on the prompt. I enjoyed hearing you sing.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you, m’lady, especially for the wee white lie at the end!
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Lovely take CE.
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Thanks, John.
Can I ask where you took the photo, or is that as much a secret as your own location?!?
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but they don’t last long if they try (Tom Lehrer)
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Thanks, Neil, I had forgotten this!
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Of course, this made me think of Ava Gardner. Lovely writing.
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Thank you, Jilly, glad you enjoyed
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Can’t help lovin’ that Ava. She’ll go far. Maybe not far enough but…
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You can be heartless sometimes, Sandra!
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