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 Dale Rogerson.
Click here to hear the author read his words:
The Targe
I slump into my chair.
Another long day in the fields, with little to show for it.
The ground is frozen, stony, infertile.
I stare at my plate.
Porridge.
For dinner.
She’s all apologies but I don’t blame her.
Three bairns, one on her hip, and we all need to eat.
I’m not providing.
On the wall, not quite covering the worst damp patch, hangs my targe.
I see the signs of battle upon it.
I remember the glory days.
I remember the day I sold my claymore.
The day I became a crofter.
The day I stopped being a man.
Sound Bite Fiction 
Re-adjustment to normal even mundane life is very difficult for men who have experienced war, from old days to modern. I felt your character’s angst and his struggle. So well written, CE.
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Thank you, Brenda.
Even more difficult when the war is lost and the culture and way of life is systematically destroyed
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Very sad indeed, and terribly difficult.
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A great piece. You have taken me deep into the heart of the man, who not only lost in the Jacobite era, but has failure thrust deep into his mind. There is more pain to come with the land clearances as the crofters in that era were driven out. Let’s hope he finds a good life in America for his family.
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You knew exactly where and when the story was set, James!
Thanks for your kind words.
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he stopped being a man. does it mean his wife now wears the pants in the house? at least, she’s still willing to cook for him. 🙂
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I’m glad you found some humour in the piece, Plaridel
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So sad to read, as it read true to life, yet selling ones shield often led to grim death.
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And yet, Michael, when the war is lost there is no further need for weapons
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You paint a picture of a Ulysses-like man whose only regret is that he ever came home from war. So vividly constructed, C. E. I see an underlying irony as well, that it takes more manhood to nurture a family than to kill enemies.
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The war was lost, Dora, and there were no more to be fought.
My character is toiling for his family, but farming is alien to his nature.
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His pain is evident. So very well written, C.E.
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I like that he didn’t put blame on his wife, which could have easily be done. One of your very best. A joy to read.
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I appreciate your words, Alicia, thank you
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One of your best, CE. I had to look up “targe.” Always love learning a new word.
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Thank you, Linda.
And I am always happy to educate the colonials!
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🙂
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It doesn’t need a war to make a man, but I guess crofter is very different to the life he knew.
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Indeed, Ali, we are not all designed for such a life
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Breathtakingly sad.
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I am pleased I managed to convey that in my short tale, James
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There is regret and pain here, of leaving a life and starting a new one. Very well done indeed.
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A situation sadly forced upon many.
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What a powerful story. I hope that things get better for him and his family soon. You touched a lot of feels with this one.
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Thank you, Anne, if I can cause a reaction with 100 words then I am content.
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Powerfully told and the story of many whose stories were not told.
I have friends whose ancestors fled the Irish Famine, where most of the extended ancestry perished to blight and their oppressors’ greed. The realities of crofters and serfs and injustices all captured in your few words. Excellently searing.
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Thank you for your very kind words, Na’ama.
Perhaps significant that the British have twice committed genocide on their own people.
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Yes. As have other ‘nations’ in the name of this or that but really just for power.
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Im sure i’m not the first to admit I had to look up targe, seems the American dictionary (don’t ask) doesn’t have a clue what fit is. Beautifully written CE, good stuff
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Thank you, sir, happy to educate the unwashed masses!
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Such a heartbreaking situation that sings with the ghosts of so many. Excellent storytelling.
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Genocide and the destruction of a culture creates many ghosts, I think
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I think this is a specatcular write, CE. BRAVO !!!
I enjoyed listening to you read the story. It gives the words more of an aspect.
I must admit I had to look up – targe, crofter, claymore. New words I can now
say I know. I’m always looking for new things to learn.
Be Safe 😷 … Isadora 😎
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You are always so kind, Isadora, and I especially pleased you liked the reading.
Learning from different cultures is always fun, isn’t it!
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Yes, it is fascinating to learn about other cultures. I’m always fascinated with the Scottish and Australian accents. I listen to your readings as well as read your story. I just saw a movie recently where the cast was from Scotland. Unique sound in the tones. If I could travel anywhere, it’s the place I’d want to go. Too late … too old. 😉 Have a wonderful weekend … Be Safe 😷
Isadora 😎
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Excellently portrayed, and how sad that he can’t take enough pride in being a crofter to think himself still a man.
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The warrior’s soul is a restless soul, Liz
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An epic tale. Wonderful.
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Very kind, Susan
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Wow, that says a lot about poverty and Scottishness, love, gender roles, masculinity and violence. Wow. And it’s a bloody good story too!
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From your list probably only gender roles have changed significantly in the intervening 270 years, although I believe that it is still the female who has the babies.
Happy you got so much out of it, Penny.
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He has memories but little else it seems. A poignant piece skillfully conceived CE.
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Thanks, Keith, glad it worked for you
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You took me right into that man’s pain. And your accent in the recording just situates it beautifully. To use your expression, it’s a nailer!
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Laughing.
Yep, I got more Scottish as I got into character!
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Dear CE,
Heartbreaking. In a few words you built a scenario and three dimensional characters. One of your best.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you, m’lady, sometimes the words just come together.
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A hard life, both as a clansman and a crofter, both with little reward.
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The Highlands are bonnie but harsh, Iain
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I learned a new word from you, targe. Claymore and crofter, of course, I knew. The life of the clansmen was a great deal less romantic than the movies suggest, and you capture this beautifully
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Happy to augment your already impressive vocabulary, Neil.
Thank you for your kind words.
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