Sunday Photo Fiction is a weekly challenge presented by Susan Spaulding, who has taken over this great weekly prompt from my old friend Al Forbes.
This week’s photo is once again provided by the delightful Joy Pixley, whose contributions are almost as charming as the lady herself.
The general idea is to write a short story (200 word max) inspired by what you see in the picture (below).
Click on this link to enter your tale, and see what others have written.
© Joy Pixley
Click here to hear the author read the tale:
The Last Mile
The longest mile is the last mile home.
That’s an old saying, or maybe a proverb.
I never really understood what it meant before.
But, now I am at the head of the valley, looking down at the old place, I think I get it.
I’ve been gone a long time.
Y’see, I got offered this job.
I didn’t want to take it, to be honest.
But I guess it was what they call an offer I couldn’t refuse.
All sorts of pressure was put on me.
And we needed the money, desperately.
So I said I’d do it, although it wasn’t really my sort of work.
I am not a violent man, generally speaking.
I knew there was a good chance that things would end up rough.
And they did.
But I did what I had to do, and got paid.
And patched up a bit.
Then I headed home.
I managed to hitch a ride this far.
But this last hike down the hill is going to be difficult.
I’m not sure what kind of reception I’ll get.
The buildings look dilapidated, so the money will certainly be welcome.
But what good am I with no legs?
I think he should just roll with it.
Or rock with it…
You left the sting for the last line. Without leg how are you going to go down hill?
I’ll do a roly-poly, of course!
The story that quite a few can relate.
Sadly yes, Danny, our world has too many of these tragic tales.
To many face this fate, I saw Afghanistan and Mines
Very true, Michael, glad to provoke a thought or two.
My second reading of your piece was so different from the first after learning what I did from your concluding words. Mice one CE
Thanks for taking the time to do that, Keith. I usually leave a clue or three on the way to the denouement.
That last line reveal was brilliant. I picture a war veteran returning.
Thanks, Iain.
I just draw the lines, and let the reader fill in the colours.
Yes that particular hike will be especially difficult given the circumstances. Exceptional.
Thank you, Violet, very kind.