NOW’S THE TIME TO MAKE THINGS WRITE WITH FRIDAY FICTIONEERS!
***Happy Birthday to Renee Homan Heath -April 3rd. ***
THE CHALLENGE:
Write a one hundred word story that has a beginning, middle and end. (No one will be ostracized for going over or under the word count.)
THE KEY:
Make every word count.
THE RULES:
- Copy your URL to the Linkz collection. You’ll find the tab following the photo prompt. It’s the little white box to the left with the blue froggy guy. Click on it and follow directions. This is the best way to get the most reads and comments.
- MAKE SURE YOUR LINK IS SPECIFIC TO YOUR FLASH FICTION. (Should you find that you’ve made an error you can delete by clicking the little red ‘x’ that should appear under your icon. Then re-enter your URL. (If there’s no red x email me at Runtshell@aol.com. I can delete the wrong link for you).
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- Make note in your blog if you’d prefer not to have constructive criticism.
- REMINDER: This page is “FRIDAY FICTIONEERS CENTRAL” and is NOT the place to promote political or religious views. Also, you are responsible for the content of your story and policing comments on your blog. You have the right to delete any you consider offensive.
**Please exercise DISCRETION when commenting on a story! Be RESPECTFUL.**
Should someone have severe or hostile differences of opinion with another person it’s my hope that the involved parties would settle their disputes in private.
***************
My story will follow the prompt for those who might be distracted by reading a story before writing their own . I enjoy your comments.
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From Scott Vanatter with permission-Copyright- Indira
This week marks my 50th Friday Fictioneers’ story. I hope you don’t think me melodramatic when I say that it’s been a life-changing experience. I certainly didn’t expect to become the bus driver when I asked Madison how to join. I’ve made some great friends since last April. Thanks to all of you!
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 99
FAMILY TREE
“‘And they lived happily ever after.’” Leah shut the storybook.
Shifra’s raisin-brown eyes, round as bottle caps, sparkled. “Bubbie? Did you love Grandpa at first sight?”
“He was only eight when we met. Mama took him in…hid him from the khappers, bad men who snatched little Jewish boys from their homes and made them serve twenty-five years in the Czar’s army.”
“Did she hide him in the closet?”
“No she was smart, my Mama.”
“He was like your brother, right?”
Leah pointed to a tintype on the table of two little bonneted girls and grinned. “More like my sister.”
Nu? Should you want to read more on the subject click here.
and here we go again 🙂 Thanks Rochelle and for the interesting photo prompt this week.
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next week perhaps ‘the dark side’? subtle aren’t I 😉
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Very clever, and a great take on the prompt. This is what I call ‘thinking outside the box’. Well done Rochelle.
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Sandra
Amazing where our muses can take us, isn’t it? At any rate, thanks for the kudos. Going to read yours now.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s a brave and courageous idea to save the little boy. What a beautiful story.
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Dear David,
Thank you for dropping by with comment. I wonder if or how many mothers might have resorted to this maneuver. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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a smart mother. a story well thought and written
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Thank you, Nightlake.
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a bit of history and fiction great going !
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Thank you. Historical fiction is my favorite genre.
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Is this mine shvester?
Very good story. Thanks for the historical link too.
Randy
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Mine shvester/bruder ;). Thanks Randy, Glad you liked the story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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People had to be creative to save others. Great story Rochelle
can’t seem to get linky to work. So will try later
😉
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Dear Moondust,
glad you linked. Though I don’t know any true stories like this surely someone would’ve thought about it. Glad you liked it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Very clever! Just got it! Am slow in my old age.
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Didn’t think it was that cryptic. Glad you like it, though. Of course I don’t get everything at first read either.
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Ah yes… now I got it. reflect Pirate’s comment exactly.
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Thanks, Björn. 😉
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Dear Rochelle,
This delightful tale is one of your best ever. The bright and mischievous tone you set belies the very real threat faced with courage and ingenuity long ago. I am enthralled every week by your offerings and look forward to reading all that you will write for years to come.
Aloha,
Doug
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Put me down for a Ditto… thanks Doug.
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Dear Doug,
Your ability to see beneath the veneer of a story thrills me as a writer. The threat was very real to these children, taken as early as 8 years. They seldom survived.
I look forward to sharing my writing with you for years to come.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Interesting story but make that 3 of us 😦 I had to re read a few times, not in what or how your wrote Rochelle – just me and my weathered brain!
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It’s all right, Rambly. As long as you got it, it doesn’t bother me that you read it more than once. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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2:34am Sunday morning, my bed is calling me. I cannot stop writing, surely not a bad thing 🙂 I did get it – and thank you Rochelle.
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Ah that irrepressible muse that calls us at all hours. 😉 Incidentally, 2:34 is nearly my wake up time.
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The story was a clever use of the prompt and it was nice to get a happy ending. We can be such a dark bunch sometimes, me included. Quality as usual Rochelle. 🙂
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Thanks JWD. Don’t know what’s gotten into me lately with these more lighthearted stories, although this one does have an underlying, horribly dark side.
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Oooh I forgot that the new prompt was coming out today! Well, for me Wednesday is already finished (it’s 12:26am Thursday morning). I think I’d better leave this until tomorrow. Well, later tomorrow that is 😀
I love your story by the way Rochelle, very, very clever of Mama.
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Thanks, Lyn.
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Dear Rochelle
I loved your humour here, it’s a great story.
Resourceful mother, would love to think I would have done the same as she.
Your writing is usually powerful, hinting at many unspeakable things; so glad this has a happy ending.
Congraulations on your 50th FF story
Dee
x
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Thanks, Dee. Mama was a clever woman indeed. Your compliments necessitate the need for me to butter my ears to get through my doorway.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Congrats, Rochelle of 50 stories… yeah, Madison sure got a lot of writers going. Me included.
I think today’s story is one of your best.
Nice of you to remember The Wild Child’s Birthday.
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Thanks for the kudos, Ted. I will always be grateful to Madison for FF. As for the Wild Child, Renee’s a hard one to forget. 😉
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As Doug said, another in a line of wonderful stories. I enjoy reading here each week.
This story reminds me of a relative of mine where one brother come over from Germany, then got the passport back and another brother came over on the same passport. Have to check with my dad for the full story. As the saying goes, “Needs must when the devil drives.” The devil was certainly driving here and ingenuity won the day.
Congratulations on reaching 50…stories, that is. 🙂
janet
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Dear Janet,
It’s a mutual “like” society. I cherish your comments as one writer to another.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love your story Rochelle! Sweet, simple and complete.
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Dear Sandra,
A simple thank you. Glad you dropped by.
shalom,
Rochelle
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smart great grandma indeed! and very brave. a beautiful story. 🙂
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Thanks, KZ. Happy you liked it. 😀
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Rochelle, this made me smile. Exceptional, as always!
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Very kind of you to say so, Honie. Thank you very much.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I wonder how she got the boy to don a dress and play the part….Good story and Congratulations on #50.
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Dear VB,
My thought is that he decided masquerading as a girl seemed a better idea than dying at the front. Glad you liked it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Smart Mama. I have to read and learn more. A good story, I like that you share your culture with us.
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Dear Kim,
I’ve learned so much about who I am and where I came from since I’ve started writing. I’m happy to share.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Interesting photo for this week! Lovely story, and congratulations on #50! 🙂
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Thank you on all three accounts, Julia.
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Congratulations on the 50th, Rochelle. You have been great since you took the reigns of this unruly gang in your hands. It has been a pleasure knowing you, and reading your work.
I can bet each one of those 50 posts have been a treat to read! 🙂
This one’s an amazing story of real danger and survival instincts. Very nice, just like the other 49!
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Dear Parul,
Thank you for the compliments and the encouragement.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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First congratulations on your 50th! 🙂 I enjoyed your story, a nice way to pass on family history and memories!
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Dear Penny,
Thank you for dropping by. I think Leah is a special bubbie, grandma. Glad you enjoyed.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I felt sorry for the poor little guy being dressed as a girl until I read the article. I love the rich warmth of your stories, Rochelle.
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Dear Kelly,
I think the boy knew why he was being dressed as a girl. At least that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Glad you liked it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ingenious story and illustrating the universal truth that a mother will do whatever to save her child. I gather this is your 50th FF story. Congratulations! And thanks for your hard work every week.
Dressing boys as girls has been/is a custom in some countries. My husband (Turkish by birth) was dressed as a girl till the age of 7 when he started school. I’ve seen 19th century photos of English boys in dresses (and incongrously, wearing schoolboy’s caps). Ann
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Thank you for your insightful comments, Ann. Those of us who are mothers can understand. Interesting bit on customs.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Brilliant story! I loved this: raisin-brown eyes, round as bottle caps.
Congrats on 50 FFs – you should get a badge or something 🙂
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Thank you El. Others in this group have posted many more stories than I. It’s a milestone to me and something very precious.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I always enjoy your stories. Another brilliant one 🙂
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Thanks, Sweet Boomie.
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Love the depth of history you placed in this old tree, the implications fill in around the edges and deliver more-great!
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Your comment makes me smile, K. Thank you.
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I’d rather dress like a girl than be forced into the Russian Army too. I love the way you crafted this story, starting with the “happily ever after” and walking us through “the rest of the story” as Paul Harvey would say.
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Dear Russell,
I’m happy you noticed the beginning. Sharp eyes.
A sudden vision of you in a dress, with Arkansas sun bonnet made me laugh. It wasn’t pretty. Thanks for swinging by.
Shalom,
Ophelia
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Powerful condensation here. Again.
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Thank you, Peter. Very nice of you to say so.
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Mama was smart and sneaky! Good for her. Another nice one, Rochelle.
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(And now that I followed your link…) Fascinating and horrifying history, Rochelle! When I read about some times and places, I wonder how anybody ever survived.
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Dear Sharon,
One does have to marvel at the atrocities people have lived to tell about. Thanks for commenting and liking.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Thank you for the birthday wishes my dear. It was a very good day indeed. Age is merely a number. It most certainly doesn’t mean I need to act old. I still feel 17.
Your story, though somewhat terrifying is also very inspirational. I felt every word. Love your work. Thank you.
Fondly,
Renee
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Dear Renee,
Keep telling me that age is just a number. I’m 18 with $! years experience. 😉
Glad you saw beneath the surface and saw the terror. Your comments mean a lot.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re welcome Rochelle. It was a terrifying tale. We are so lucky to live in a world where the most we need to worry about is the decor of our living rooms.
Your comments mean a lot to me too. I’m proud to know you.
Fondly,
Renee
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Wonderful story that shows how adaptable humans can be, maybe almost as adaptable as those trees. 🙂
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A good analogy, Sheila. I really wish I’d thought of that. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m going to have to read this again in the morning light, Rochelle, and work out how on earht it comes from the prompt! Not that it matters, I’m just intrigued. Fantastic story as always, and another lesson on a place / period I knew nothing about. Thanks!
On another note, I think I may have gone a bit over the top this week – three stories for the price of one – is that allowed?!
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Dear Jen,
Quality stories…all three.
Now I’ll share my process of how I came to my story for this prompt. You may have noticed that the title is the only visible reference to the prompt. Every story that came to mind about trees felt trite. I’m reading a book at present where one of the MC’s has been kidnapped by the khappers in turn of the century Russia. While I didn’t want to plagiarize I figured there was enough history to go around. 😉 My grandfather fled Poland in 1903 to avoid the Russian “draft” so it’s a scenario I was somewhat familiar with.
Then this story just sort of came quickly. Glad you asked.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks for sharing, Rochelle. I hope you realise you’re responsible for a growing interest in historical fiction over here!
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Happy to help, Jen.
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Just like his sis!
Scott
Mine: http://kindredspirit23.wordpress.com/2013/04/04/friday-fictioneers-april-5-2013-genre-fantasyhumor-pg/
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And now I have a whole line of inappropriate questions for Grandpa. When you do do funny, you do it in such a subtle way.
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Dear Atiya,
I’ll bet some of those questions are rich. Thank you for the compliment. Happy to see you back this week.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ah, wonderful! Great last line, and don’t Bubbies tell the best stories?
Here’s mine: http://unexpectedpaths.com/friday-fictioneers/life-a-cliche/
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Glad you liked it, Maggie. I’m sure Bubbie Leah has some wonderful stories to tell. Who knows? Maybe she’ll come back again. 😉
shalom,
Rochelle
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HUGE smile on this one! 😀
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Huge thanks.
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Interesting story, well told as always, Rochelle. Thanks!
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Many thanks, Perry.
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Yes, that was great and brought a smile to my face – I don’t now quite what it had to do with the tree, but I am guessing the Family Tree…
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Correct you are, Lindaura. Family tree was my glancing reference to the prompt.. 😉 Happy you smiled.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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One smart lady! Enjoyed as always. 🙂
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Thank you, Jackie.
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beautifully done!
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Thanks, Bill.
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let us hope he hasn’t developed a secret passion for silk stockings 🙂
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Congrats on reaching 50, and for being such and adventurous and courteous bus driver! I enjoyed your story immensely, and appreciate the link to the history behind it.
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Thank you, Michelle for all of your comments. I was addicted from the moment I joined Friday Fictioneers. I never dreamed I’m be inheriting the steering wheel but I couldn’t let it go.
Glad you liked the story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle,
You have so much history in such a small space, Rochelle! Thanks for the inspiration. I finally got mine in, just under the wire.
Amy
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You were right on time, Amy. Some of us forget it’s Friday Fictioneers. Thanks for dropping by and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A lovely take on the tree, you amaze me in 100 flash fiction you still have time to conceive a twist!
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Many thanks.
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50 stories all well done. They seem to get better..I’ll ditto Ted..think that makes a double ditto? I don’t know the rules on dittoing! Perhaps you do. Rochelle you are fine host, a great writer and what heck of a sweet person. Bring on 50 more…I’m with you kid.
Tom
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Dear Tom,
I’m not sure what the statute of limitations is on dittoing. In any case I’ll accept yours. Thank you for your kind words.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Congrats on the anniversary! Your story is fascinating as always. How much of this is family history and how much is research?
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Dear Danny,
This story is more research than personal history. Although my grandfather fled Eastern Europe to escape the Russian draft. I wish I knew more of his personal history, but when he was alive I was very young and woefully uninterested. Glad you liked it.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Your dialogue and scene were so rich and alive – i felt like i was there. I hope you have more to this story.
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The greatest compliment you can give me is to say that you felt like you were there. Thank you, Erin.
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Hahahahahaha! Great! Yes, I recognize a name in there, all right. “Family Tree.” Truly inspired. 😉
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Shifra’s a good name. “I named you after my mother, you should be such a saint.” Thanks for comments, Q.
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Mama was a crafty one. At that time the mere thought of a woman in the military was laughable to the men in charge. Very nice Rochelle.
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Dear Joe,
Mama was crafty, indeed. Hid that little guy in plain sight. 😉 Thanks for commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ooh I’m so glad I found out about this 🙂 lovely story, intuitive and informative with a real story as the background of yours or yours as a shorter re-telling…genius!
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Thanks Camgal. While my ancestors came from Eastern Europe, this is a work of pure fiction. Happy it rang true for you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I enjoyed the jump from actual to family tree. Another lovely historical fiction piece – love the description of Shifra’s eyes – that was one clever Mama. Congrats on your 50th FF story and thank you for hosting. Thanks too for the education and the link to more.
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Dear Sarah,
Thanks for commenting. Guess it’s no secret that historical fiction is my favorite genre. Glad you like it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Fascinating!
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😀
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hello — as I was meandering through the entries, I kept wondering why that lone tree was spared. Then I knew I had posted the wrong story. I hope someone else wrote one like this and I can see it when I get to their post.
The tree is standing because when it was young someone tended it. Beneath the roots was buried wealth, or a map, or proof of birth or a sword. They left and never returned, and now the family needs what was lost, and has no guidance on where to find it. Perhaps a storm will blow it over and tear up the roots.
thanks for such a nice picture. — bw
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I don’t think you posted the wrong story, Bill. We all wanted Reaper and Eve to have a happy ending. Interesting thought though.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Neat that you started the story with a traditional close: lived happily ever after. I really like this tender story… Bubbie is keeping the memories alive by passing them down.
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I love this, Rochelle! And your beginning is so creative. You have your reader in the palm of your hand beginning a story with “they lived happily ever after.” Great work.
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Great story! I wanted so badly to hear more about the “sister” and how they grew up together.
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Love this Rochelle! Such a cute twist with the “Sister” line
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Dear Laurie,
Thanks for following my link and reading. You can see why your story made me think of it. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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