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 a recycled effort by RandyMazie, who I do not remember at all.
One of my previous incarnations wrote a piece for this – https://anelephantcant.me/2013/07/10/the-hunt-friday-fictioneers/ – but it was widely misunderstood, so I am just going for some safe blasphemy this time.
The idea, as always, is to write a story of around 100 words based on this picture, below.
© Randy Mazie
Click here to hear the writer read his words:
The Prayer
I have slept here for the past three nights.
It is freezing, but at least the tombs provide some shelter from the biting north wind.
And the funerals give hope of hand-outs.
My little sign says ‘homeless and hungry’.
These latest mourners look wealthy.
I kneel, pray to a god I don’t believe in.
Just hoping to impress someone.
They ignore me, help a bent grey wreck from his wheelchair.
He weeps at the graveside, stumbles back to his chair.
A fat wallet falls from his pocket.
Stupid old goat.
Perhaps, after all, there is a god.
Sound Bite Fiction 
Ok…glad to see I was not the only one who LOL’d.
Ya never know…you know? 😉
And btw…that first story…wow…
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You always laugh, Dawn, often quite inappropriately.
It is one of your most endearing faults!
I liked the first story too, but it seemed to cause confusion among the speed read community.
Oh, and thanks for joining with Randy – below – to mock my failings!
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LOL…. I know I do. It’s why I stay home, mostly.
Thanks for finding it endearing, you’re in a small group of some of my favorite people.
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I think you should get out more, Dawn, and inflict it on an undeserving world.
As for being in such a group, I am flattered beyond words.
Thank you
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“This week’s photo is a recycled effort by Randy Mazie, who I do not remember at all.”
Remember me as the ghost goat of Fridays past: Wooooo-oooh.
As I am the old man stumbling from his wheelchair.
And I am the mourner losing his wallet.
I am the bereaved who you hope will feed you.
I am the tomb that brings you shelter.
But mostly, still, I am the stupid old goat,
Dancing over graves.
my tribute to your work, answering in kind.
Randy
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Ah Randy, a mountain of embarrassment for Ne’erday!
In my senility I failed to link your name with The Writer’s Village.
You even have Dawn joining in to mock me.
Quelle humiliation!
And yet you are kind enough to pay ‘tribute’.
Thank you for your time and patience.
And for the photo,
Two different versions of me have been inspired by it to write two very different tales.
So I guess it’s a guid yin!
All the best for 2019
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No problem not remembering.
No humiliation.
I have not been around much lately, although I check the blog weekly.
And one wouldn’t know my name and the writer’s village being linked.
All the best to you, from one old goat to …???
Randy (and as Dawn would say – LOL!!!)
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That’s worth praying for! Great write.
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Thank you, Lisa, very kind
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Hopefully, the cash will make his new year a happy one.
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Or some temporary relief, at any rate.
Thank you for visiting, Priya
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Laughed out loud. When opportunity knocks, me must open the door!
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Just happy to entertain, and the door is always ajar.
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Guess all that fake praying paid off. Like in dollars.. Good job!
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Laughing. Fake praying, fake god, maybe the dollars are counterfeit!
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I feel he is going to stay for a while. There’s rich pickings to be made at the graveyard.
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It seems that he got lucky this time!
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I really liked this one, C.E. and Sandra’s comment was hilarious. You never know how God is going to reveal himself to us.
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Thanks, Russell, but I find it somewhat depressing that Sandra is so far ahead of us mere mortals that even her comments are better than my story!
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Gifts from god eh? Here’s to more in the New Year.
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God as a pickpocket, who’d a thunk it
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That’s a nice, cheery Christmas sentiment there. 😉 Still nobody died. Unless Scrooge had a heart attack when he noticed his wallet was missing. See you next year!
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For such a lovely lady, Sandra, you have a real bloodthirsty streak.
Bonne année!
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Love this. The voice is spot on, the snip of cynicism in one who’s been dealt a crappy hand feels right. And wrong though it might be, you can’t help but want the homeless guy to get something out of the day. Wonderful writing C
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Thank you, Lynn, you have made my day!
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Always my pleasure C x
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I hope he does not remember to pick up his wallet. Money in there may help the homeless and hungry to a good meal for one day.
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If the wallet is fat enough, it might even change a life.
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These days many use card. How much will be there in the wallet, realistically?
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Your tale highlights a complex issue sir. I would like to believe that if I was in that homeless guy’s place, I would have returned the wallet, but then, I’m writing sitting comfortably on a bed, with a blanket keeping my feet warm.
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I am not here to judge others, sir, as I believe we all have moments of weakness
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Oh! Good use of the goat in the picture! Cheers!
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Can I just assure you, Alicia, that no goats were harmed in the writing of my story.
Cheers!
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Clever and sad and hard and real. So many times the homeless and beggars are invisible. Not that I condone stealing (I do not, let alone from mourners and vulnerable persons in any shape or form) but you did well to capture the tension and the hope and the disappointment and anger and rightful indignation and apathy-born-of-invisibility.
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Thank you for your thoughtful comments, Na’ama.
Like you, I try not to be judgemental, I just tell the story.
It is for the reader to apply their own moral, if they so choose.
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Indeed! 🙂
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I feel for the mourner, of course, but also for the plight of the desperate and hungry one. Your story is complex and begs thought to the question, “What would I do?” if in the same situation. I really enjoyed the audio. I must say, I’ve never listened to your reading of the story, but will from now on.
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This is the sort of comment, Brenda, that makes writing worthwhile.
And the audio, of course. I never know if anyone listens, but it is a part of my process now, so it is great to hear that someone enjoyed it.
Thank you.
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I decided to try and resume my relationship FF. My try was a bit feeble I think. I reread your first one and must just think like you. I had no trouble following it. This new one is direct and a bit rough, not the writing the subject. It almost makes the thief out to be the winning one of the story.
Great.
Scott
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Good to see you here, Scott, I’ll come visit in two thingys of a lamb’s whatsit
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you just do that…hmm, about 10 years then?
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Robin Hood would have understood this one 🙂
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Forsooth, fair damsel, perhaps ’tis so!
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🙂
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Oh yes… sometimes there is some lesser god helping those in need….
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It is a nice thought, Bjorn, but I have my doubts…
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Me too
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Perhaps.A seaonal tale
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Bah humbug!
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Dear CE,
Sharp old beggar, that one. Clever wording throughout.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you, m’lady, one does one’s humble best
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Haha. Hears prayers also, sometimes.
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Who knows, dear Indira, these things are beyond my ken.
Happy holidays, sweet lady
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Happy New Year.
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