Friday Fictioneers is hosted by the wonderful Rochelle, the undisputed master of what I call Sound Bite Fiction.
She sets the weekly challenge, the standard, and the prompt photo.
The idea, as always, is to write a story of around 100 words based on the picture below, which this week is supplied by Ronda Del Boccio.
© Ronda Del Boccio
Click here to hear the author read his words:
The Virus
This virus is not new.
It has been around, in various forms, for centuries.
It thrives in very different countries, regardless of the wealth, or otherwise, of the people.
It is an insidious, creeping evil.
Our leaders do nothing to eliminate it.
Their edicts sometimes appear to encourage its spread.
They seem to be happy to oversee the misery it causes, the poverty and death that follow so naturally.
The strange thing is that this illness is man-made.
And it has many names.
A mild form is Nationalism.
Much more virulent is Nazism.
But nowadays the most common is jingoism.
Excellent!
Thank you!
Alas… this virus has been spreading for a long time… and now it seems to invaded even the smallest country (or even county)
Very true, Bjorn, the British and many other European countries have been spreading it for centuries.
And now the biters are being bitten in return, but it doesn’t stop them.
You distill a complex set of ideas so skillfully. leaves me thinking. Thank you.
Thank you once again.
If I prompt some thoughts with my 100 words then I am happy
It’s the great equalizer for sure.
Ronda
Thank you, Ronda
Very well said – man’s worst enemy is idealism in many guises.
Indeed, James, any idealism in extremis is potentially dangerous
Excellent story, CE. Not many people could summarise the evils of nationalism etc so powerfully in 100 words. Kudos!
Thank you, Penny.
Sometimes we need to raise our voices.
It appears there are several viruses spreading here. The Orange-haired loudmouth likes to keep things stirred up and works day and night to widden the division in our country. A sad state of affairs.
To be fair to your buffoon, he shows a refreshing consistency by also widening the gap between the USA and everyone else.
Like Linda, I had to google Jingoism. And learned that it relates somewhat to the tone of my Friday Fictioneer piece for this week. Seems many of us turned back to the dark this week.
As I say elsewhere, Trish, it is a very British word.
It just seemed apt in today’s global climate.
Thanks for visiting.
“jingoism” may be the most common, but I had to look it up 🙂
Yep, true words you speak this week.
A very British word, I think, Ali, dating from the ‘great’ days of empire.
A sad state of affairs, yet again.
sadly, it has come to that point that if there’s no real virus, it’ll have to be created in the lab.
Thanks, Plaridel
…and the world becomes more jingoistic by the day. A topical take indeed.
Sadly very true, Keith
I’ve never heard the word jingoism before. (Google search.) Yeah, that seems to be a sickness that’s spreading globally. It’s a terrifying virus.
As I say to LInda (Granonine) below, it is probably a very British word.
I refer you to my comment there for further information.
Thanks for visiting again, and taking the time to comment.
Yeah, we’re not good with British words. Look what we did with football, fanny, and faggot.
I think astra zeneca (is that the name) are making a vaccine which is in the testing process, they are quitetly confident and are producing it at cost, with an aim to roll out globally sometime in September or October, obviously they and us are hoping for positive test results, it is being manufactured all over the world apparently so everyone will be able to get hold of it. If it works.
Great take by the way, but then you always nail it!!
I don’t think AstraZeneca or anyone else can cure the virus of which I speak.
Thank you, very, very much, for ‘always nail it’.
That is much appreciated.
No I got carried away with the AZ bit, but on the other bit, ‘tis true!!
It seems that every generation gets side tracked from tackling injustice. First war then the nineteen thirty’s depression, more wars, the threat of nuclear Armageddon, a banking crisis, Brexit, and now a virus. It make one think, just like you did today..
The sad truth, Mike, is that those with the power to change things have a vested interest in keeping them as they are.
Time for the revolution!
Well done! Very well done!
Thank you, Na’ama, thank you.
Very, very good.
Again.
Thank you very much, again.
No matter how often I hear or see the word “jingoism,” I have to go look it up. Don’t know why it won’t stick. I’m usually pretty good with remembering definitions. Maybe it’s because there doesn’t seem to be any connection with “jingo” to anything with which I’m familiar. Hmmmm. I feel an etymology search coming on 🙂
Laughing. Not sure what to say here, Linda!
I did look it up. What an interesting story! I don’t think I’ll forget again :). And by the way, the expression started from using the word “jingo” as a euphemism for Jesus. “Well, by Jingo!”
Um, yes, Linda, I knew that.
The word is probably much better known in the UK.
For example, George Orwell described Rudyard Kipling as a ‘jingo imperialist’ – not a compliment!
I think you’re right. It’s not something we hear much over here.
Yes I agree completely, though you’ve plum forgotten to condemn socialism, which is the most proximate poison
I think, Larry, that socialism means very different things here and in the USA. In Scotland we want our taxes to support those who need it, the old, the young, and the infirm, and not the banks and big business as in the capitalist model.
Really good observation about phony pride.
Hope we can end this virus. Anyone making a vaccine? Whole world needs this.
They are just focusing on Covid-19. What about the many viruses like these? 🙁
Sorry, Anita, I don’t have the answer
Sadly, all too true, C. And there’s no sign of a vaccine for this virus. Very well written as always
Thanks, Lynn.
I agree, there is no obvious way out when all politicians are practically indistinguishable in their objectives
The only -ism that’s working for me at the moment is escapism, but it never lasts. Unfortunately I have to come back to reality at some point.
That reality is what I’ve tried to say in my short piece, Iain
Dear CE,
All I can do is shake my head and cringe at the truth. Well said, sir.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you, m’lady
Insidious creeping evil indeed it is. Good one, Ceayr.
Quite a listing of evil isms there. Yes, Trumpis, and closer home Modism are missing.
I only have 100 words to make my point, Neel!
I don’t see that ‘Trumpism’, whatever it is, is in any way excluded by my piece
You forgot Trumpism 🙂 But why would the ‘leaders’ want to stamp it out when it’s working perfectly in their favour?
Oh I didn’t forget, JJ, he is deeply immersed in my words.
And you got my point exactly.
The good old conquer and divide. Crazy world. Something in our air perhaps…
I enjoyed the flow.
Exactly.
Identify the enemy, any enemy, someone to hate, and the real problems are ignored
Haha I think it’s divide and conquer… My head gets muddled at times.
You’re absolutely right – if you’ll excuse the pun.
It sometimes seems, Anthony, as if I’m all that’s left…
Political stories this week are spreading like a … jam
Not your bag, eh, Neil?
Give him a bagel to spread it on.