This challenge is produced by GirlieOnTheEdge with the following simple rules:
Write 6 Sentences. No more. No less.
Use the current week’s prompt word – STROKE
Click here to hear the author read his words:
The Tyrant
I sit smiling at the weeping woman, trying not to be too smug, but feeling, if not superior, at least quite secure from my position on the moral high ground.
I am, after all, the poet, the voice of the oppressed, who spoke out against the tyrant, albeit from a far country, while she is nothing, just one of the deceased despot’s many women.
It is ironic that we are here together on this day of judgement, when only one from each pair of new souls can go forward to eternal happiness, the other being condemned to a never-ending fate more ghastly than can be imagined.
She, who supported the perpetrator of so many heinous crimes, including even genocide, who stood beside him in public and lay beside him in private, always there to stroke his ego and his body, she can have no hope of salvation, whereas I bravely attacked his atrocities through my scathing words.
An official-looking lady in dark robes enters, and announces that one of us loved with a pure heart, and tried to improve the world with our limited influence, while the other thrived on hatred, and lived a cowardly existence of self-interest.
I watch her lead the poor sobbing creature away with a small shake of my head, then recoil as two large ogrish creatures, leering through crooked teeth and bearing chains, lumber towards me.
The arrogance of judgment… makes you think!
Then my job is done, Tom
I like your story.
I like your comment.
The entitled rarely get it until it’s too late. And then they get it good! Ha!
Your ‘Ha!’ made me laugh, Liz!
the moral highground is often a lonely road.
And a dangerous one, apparently
Comeuppance time. Nice one CE.
Ooh, big word, Keith!
It was bound to happen, I guess!
He who hibernates gets sloshed, and stuff like that, Chris!
(To quote my buddy, Bill) “Hoist with his own petard”
Cutting and incisive Six… surely a skill best employed at a distance.
fun Six*
*my stock phrase this Thursday
What will be your stock phrase next Thursday? I want to be sure to deserve it!
I love the twist, I had to read it three times because of how satisfying it was.
That is very kind of you, much appreciated
What a perspective! Though I wouldn’t count ‘unconditional love’ as an intelligent or humane thing, if others are being harmed.
Off with their heads, says Reena!
🤗🤗
I’m on your side, CE. Who’s running this judgement caper, the bloody Devil himself. 😉 More power to your poison pen!
Who knows, Doug. I’m a poet and therefore have no opinions on anything whatsoever!
Good description of the alternatives.
Thanks, Frank
Wow, how good is that. Deep and tricky. Such an arrogant fool was he.
Thanks, Trish, I like ‘Deep and tricky’
This is such a satisfying story. Your narrator expresss his smug self-righteousness so clearly that the twist at the end is a sheer delight. A wise judge indeed.
It seems, Jenne, that no one likes the poor poet!
I am reading this in the dark and haven’t listened to he audio yet. It’s a dissection of a historical figure. Enjoyed reading it. Saved the audio for later.
Laughing. I hope you enjoyed the audio ‘later’, Cassa!
I have just listened to the audio. It adds the chill of the reality of judgement day. Lukewarm is NOT the way to go.
Thanks, Cassa, I really appreciate that you take the time to listen and comment. I agree about lukewarm, better to have excess in moderation than moderation in excess.
Oh my goodness…powerful writing and an unavoidable visual! Bravo!
I do enjoy exclamations like ‘Oh my goodness’! Thank you, Staarlz, and can I ask your name, please?
Because I trust you’re an honorable gentleman😊, I’ll tell you my real/legal name: Leslie (so many blogs since 2011/so many aliases!)
I have been accused of many things in my life, Leslie, usually with some justification, but honourable, with or without the ‘u’, is not one of them!
Hmm…accusation of honor…perhaps a ponder.
Laughing. Don’t overthink it, I tend not to take things too seriously!
That’s me, an Overthinker 🙂