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 Ted Strutz.
Click here to hear the author read his words:
Hero
Do you know what I detest most about war?
Well, apart from the stupid, utterly pointless waste of life, obviously.
It’s the hypocrisy.
Have you noticed it’s always the popular kids who get killed?
Never the class bully, never that weird little guy who made the girls uncomfortable.
No, stick someone in a box, drape a flag over it, and they are immediately reincarnated as the best and the brightest, the most loved, the shining light of their group.
So, for all the loathsome little creeps out there who want to be heroes, the answer is simple.
Enlist.
And die.
One of the (many) reasons I hate war.
Well I am glad that I never got to enlist, I however did try. But they knew that I wanted to much play sports travel and not fight.
So many feels for this one. So many feels. I’ve never enlisted myself but I’m reminded of people I know who have Been There. The best or most functional, if pressed, will say something like: “I did my duty. I came back. Others did not.” Enough said. Thank you for this. In honor of all those who served, living and dead, that deserve better than a “hero’s” welcome, who deserve to continue to be treated with respect and/or unfiltered memories of who they really were, because no one comes back unchanged. Peace.
Much truth in your words, Anne.
Peace, always
A trhowback memory to my being bullied days.
Let them eat Sh-t and die.
Have a wonderful weekend, CE.
Be Safe 😷 … Isadora 😎
I am sad that this recalled bad memories for you, Isadora.
Thank you for visiting, always a pleasure to see you
💜 Be Safe … 😷 🙏🏻 😊 Isadora 😎
The creeps are busy being keyboard warriors rather than fighting a real war. Mandatory conscription might help 😉
Maybe ‘real war’ is the problem here, hmm?
I don’t know that many bullies and scumbags who will enlist anywhere discipline is demanded. Not exactly a lifestyle generally demanded by a 17-18 year old.
Perhaps you are right, Oneta, and the military is packed with nice guys
A very profound piece. There should be a “bully” test when people enlist. If you fail, you don’t get in. Save the best ones.
I love this idea, Brenda!
Imagine the ads: Soldiers wanted, only scumbags need apply
Ouch. Great descriptions of the bullies and creepers. Always recast in death as wronged innocents
Indeed, Laurie. Is it to salve our conscience that they have died, I wonder?
it’s no use of being popular if you’re dead and can’t kiss the girls. 🙂
I agree, Plaridel, if you can’t kiss the girls there’s no point to being alive!
Everyone always romanticizes the dead, so it’s not restricted to the ones who die on battlefields. Most people mean well, but it’s still an odd habit
Very true, Larry.
I wonder if it dates back to superstitious fear of ghosts, that they’d haunt you if you said bad things?
Yes that’s quite believable. Ghost stories still entrhall. Besides that, the Catholic Church requires requires prayer for the deceased, so that also gets people interested. I see the need, in the general public, to refer favorably to the dead as being quite analogous to that. It’s a need which all of mankind somehow instinctively has
Very true. But you can’t speak ill of the dead…
Well you can, but it is frowned upon!
Looks like I’m safe then!
I’m saying nothin’!
Wow, you’ve really got the juices flowing on this one CE, good effort!
I got a reaction, that’s all I hope for in 100 words!
I applaud you! Excellent story… an epic message.
Thank you, Susan, very kind.
Dear CE,
Popularity ain’t worth it. Most certainly a statement. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you, m’lady
With your track record for murder and mayhem, I’d be surprised if you had a straight face while writing your second and third sentences! This story is quite reprehensibly amusing, CE. Naughty step, now!
Au contraire, Penny, these first three lines are a recurring theme in my work, fact and fiction.
https://ceayr.com/2018/11/11/the-great-peace-sunday-photo-fiction/
Very true, so many heroes out there, so many pure and good people, it’s a wonder we ever find bad people to have a war with.
I think, Iain, you are almost as cynical as I am!
Just like the ones declared winners in a war. Never looked at it from the micro view though. Creative storytelling!
As if there are ever winners, hmm?
Thank you
You’re welcome.
He gets right to the point, doesn’t he? But the dead, saint or sinner, always fare better for being dead.
Yes, Dora, we cling to the old maxim of never speaking ill of the dead, no matter how vile they might have been.
Loathsome little creeps, indeed. But they do seem to always be with us, no matter ow many of them die and go to whatever terrible place loathsome little creeps inhabit. It’s like playing Whack-a-Mole. Smack one, and three others pop up.
Jings, I seem to have touched a nerve here!
I was a therapist for 18 years, specializing in trauma. I had to listen to many stories about loathsome little creeps. I really, really don’t like them. At all.
There are a few I would like to give that advice to, if I dared!
Not very charitable, Liz!
It might be the cure for Incels!
I learned a new word here, T.
I confess to understanding less about our world every day.
The world seems to be changing at a great speed and dare I suggest, not for the best.
I could give the make-over a miss, if it’s ok with you, CE. I never really wanted to be liked THAT much. Excellent!
Laughing.
I bet you were Miss Popular!
But, of course, it’s never the loathsome little creeps who die
It would be nice if they did 🤔.
A tad harsh, Bernadette!
Maybe. But I’d prefer the relatively nicer guys than the creeps.
Even if they are loathsome before, they are heroes after