WELCOME TO FRIDAY FICTIONEERS.
As always, writers are encouraged to be as innovative as possible with the prompt and 100 word constraints.
Henry David Thoreau said it best.
“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.”
😀 Be sure to wish Jackie P and Perry Block a happy birthday this week! They both celebrate Thursday the 12th. 😀
THE CHALLENGE:
Write a one hundred word story that has a beginning, middle and end. (No one will be ostracized for going a few words over the 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. (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).
- While our name implies “fiction only” it’s perfectly Kosher to write a non-fiction piece as long as it meets the challenge of being a complete story in 100 words.
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- ***PLEASE MAKE NOTE IN YOUR BLOG IF YOU PREFER NOT TO RECEIVE 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.
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My story follows the photo and link tool. I enjoy honest comments and relish constructive criticism.
- Shalom,
Rochelle

Copyright – Jan Wayne Fields
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
MOTHER OF EXILES
“Rachel, would you please read this sentence for us?” The English teacher’s intense gaze shot through the young woman as she pointed to the page.
This new land with its unfamiliar ways and language challenged her. She’d dreamt of freedom. Instead, New York’s Lower East Side bore much similarity to her poverty-stricken village in Moldavia.
“I try, Miss Lazarus.” Twisting and untwisting her shawl fringes, she read, “‘Ve holt dese troots’…Ikh ken nit…I cannot…”
“‘We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men’…all people…‘are created equal.’” Emma Lazarus took Rachel’s hands in hers. “You can. You will. You must.”
______________
While you may never have heard of Emma Lazarus, if you’re a U. S. citizen you’re probably familiar with, at least, a portion of her poem inside the base of the Statue of Liberty:
THE NEW COLOSSUS
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
To read about this amazing woman click here.
This article is only the tip of the iceberg. If you’re interested do a Google search to learn more. I did. 😉
Superbly written tribute to a remarkable lady.
And, of course, her nation.
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Dear Elephant,
Nice of you to say so. I hadn’t thought about this going up on 9-11 but it does seem to fit the day. Emma was a remarkable lady, indeed. When my research trail led me to her I knew she was my subject.
Thank you and Shalom,
Rochelle
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That certainly is a wonderful poem, and makes one think about modern attitudes to immigration. The wrong people are demonized too often.
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Dear Miss Kzebra,
It is a wonderful poem by a great lady. She was a champion for the Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A simple story… Carrying loads of meaning…
And very informative also 🙂
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Dear Satya,
Thank you. Always happy to share my learning experience.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, I love the heart that is in all your stories.
I was aware of the more famous lines of that poem but not the rest of it. Hopefully I have an excuse though, being from Canada. 🙂 Great, great story, as always.
-David
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Dear David,
This story was a learning experience for the writer. I, too, knew just oft’ repeated few lines of the poem. I knew Emma Lazarus was the poet, but that’s where my knowledge stopped. And I don’t have being Canadian as an excuse, 😉
As I read about her I knew I had to incorporate her into my story. Glad you liked it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderful story, Rochelle. Vivid characterization, loved the little details, the emotional interaction between these two women… and the timing, exquisite.
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Dear Lisa,
Thank you for such a comment. You’ve made me smile. Glad you liked my offering this week.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Super. Caught the immigrant’s stress and struggle well.
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Many thanks, Claudia. I can imagine my grandparents in the role of the struggling immigrant. Glad you liked.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Nice heartwarming story. What America is supposed to be about.
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Dear Ed,
Many thanks for your constant encouragement. Glad you liked my story.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you, Rochelle. I’ve never seen the whole poem before, just the quote.
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Dear Buffy,
Glad you enjoyed. Thanks for commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The story and poem all work well for Sept. 11. Good thing you didn’t post on Friday. 🙂 The story is a lovely reminder of where many of us came from and the opportunities afforded by this not perfect but wonderful country.
janet
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Dear Janet,
In all honesty, I wasn’t thinking about 9-11 when I chose this picture and wrote this story. One of those koinky-dinks, I think. 😉
I’m happy to have you back in our midst now that you’re moved and somewhat settled. Glad you liked the story. Sweet to see your other half back as well.
shalom,
Rochelle
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What a glorious tribute and especially on this day. The immigrants of that era worked very hard to acclimate themselves to a new country and become “true Americans.” I wish more people had that spirit today.
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Dear Russell,
I treasure your comment. I’m only a second generation American on my mother’s side. My grandfather came over in 1903 to escape the Russian draft at the age of 19. He hitchhiked to St. Louis from NYC. No one learned Yiddish to accommodate him I might add. He was a true American mit a thick accent.
shalom,
Rochelle
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I hope you don’t mind, I have to insert myself here into your comment. It is a glorious tribute. You said it perfectly, Russell. I’d like to share something from my experience working with women immigrating from Mexico and other South American Countries to help them get a GED and watching how hard they work to learn not only to speak English, but also learn how to read it, write it and understand the nuances and irregularities of English grammar well enough to pass an eight hour exam covering topics many “true Americans” don’t have a clue about, i.e. our own history. Seeing how badly they want to make a better life for their children, and knowing first hand how much of the public feels animosity about their status, it is humbling to witness their determination in the face of such daunting challenges.
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Don’t mind at all, Honie. It’s appalling how lax we are as a nation to know our own history. And I stand guilty as charged. Thank you for sharing this. A good reminder.
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A great choice for today, Rochelle.
The minute Rachel said ‘Miss Lazzarus’ I knew where you were going. I know what Emma wrote, but not that much about her, thanks for the link. Have you read her plays?
Thanks, Jan for the pic… were you on a little boat, that’s what it looks like?
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Dear Ted,
No I haven’t read her plays. I might have to add them to my bucket list of good reads, though. I learned a lot in research for this little vignette. Glad you liked it.
Jan says to tell you that he took the picture from a bigger boat, ie a ferry.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle I really think you have cornered the market in this genre you have, where a touching/emotionally tugging tale then ‘re-enacts’ a historical happening one truly wishes one knew about. Part fact, part fiction, your tales are always beautifully personified,and always come from an interesting angle.
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Dear Managua,
I humbly thank you for such a cherish-able comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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oh my goodness, always beautiful. always straight to the reader’s heart.
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Dear KZ
If it went straight to your heart I’ve succeeded. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I just posted/reblogged my 9/11 ‘memorial’ post from last year that tells about mine and Wayne’s trip to New York and other states in the northeast in 1998 when we saw the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and all those wonderful places there and took our photos of the World Trade Center’s twin towers. Who would have ever thought possible the events and tragedy after that? I have been recently posting chapters of my genealogy story/novel, The Informant’s Agenda (renamed) that deals with the character’s travels to Ukraine and Moldova. After 25-30 chapters, I still do some revising and re-editing on it. How is yours going, Rochelle that you wrote and did a sequel to?
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Dear Joyce,
Christian and I went to Ellis Island in 1999. My favorite part of it was standing in the Great Hall imagining my grandfather as one of the many Eastern European immigrants on one of the long benches.
I have to admit I was blissfully unaware of the twin towers on that trip and it’s unsettling to look at pictures I took from the ferry and see them in the background.
Still no takers on publishing PLEASE SAY KADDISH FOR ME. I’m in the fourth part of the second FROM SILT AND ASHES as far as editing goes.
Thanks for dropping by. Nice to touch base.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I had chills reading her poem. I did a little bit of Historical Fiction myself this week but no one in FF does it as well as you. Excellent like always.
Tom
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Dear Tom,
Nothing thrills me more than research and learning something new, particularly when it comes to history. Thank you for the glowing compliment. I’ll shrink my head and get back to work now.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It is certainly a huge departure from where they began and trying to master the language is just one of their new challenge.
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Dear Joe,
I can’t imagine the challenges my grandparents faced. We used to laugh at Grandpa’s thick accent and never stopped to think. I wish I’d known him better, but he wasn’t the kind one could get close to. I do know that he came over to escape the Russian draft and was a self-taught, successful tailor.
Thanks for dropping by and commenting.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Your story reveals a small part of the struggle immigrants face. Thanks for the history lesson, too.
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Dear Patti,
You’re most welcome. When if comes to history I’m always happy to share what I’ve just learned myself.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I always learn something new when visiting your site and this is a perfect sentiment to a wonderful poet, that I knew nothing about..
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Dear Björn,
Your comment makes me happy. I think if I had it to do over again, I might go back to school and earn a teaching degree. This is the next best thing, or possibly the best thing to research and share as I learn.
Thank you for coming by.
shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m familiar with the poem and its location (even though I’m not American – its fame has spread across the pond!), but had forgotten the poet’s name.
Great story linking to it!
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Dear Draliman,
You are ahead of of most Americans in respect to the poem. I only knew the last few lines myself. I knew it was written by Emma Lazarus, but knew little about the person. Glad you liked my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Fantastic. The very people who built this country experienced something like this in the beginning. In the end, they triumphed. It’s good that you remind us of our roots. Outstanding, Rochelle!
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Dear E. A.
Thank you for your glowing comments. We do well to remember our roots. Even those who came on the Mayflower were immigrants.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Nice story–and interesting post and link for Emma Lazarus. Always appreciate reading something new on your site, Rochelle.
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Dear VB,
Thanks for dropping by. Nothing makes me happier than learning and sharing something new with folks who enjoy it too. (Unintentional poetry 😉 )
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Fascinating. I love this brief moment with a struggling immigrant, and then the true story of Emma Lazarus. Gave me chills.
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Dear Dawn,
Hope they were happy chills as your comment has afforded. me. 😉
Shalom
Rochelle
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At one point because of the languages spoken at home my mother-in-law was often used as an interpreter for new students – as a student herself. As a child she spoke and understood about three or four different languages. Your writing is a tribute to all who have come to, help create and visit the freedom that exists here.
Thank you.
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Dear Jules,
Thank you for sharing some of your own family history. Glad you liked my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yes, it was a turning point for our country after 9/11. I have always loved the story of Emma Lazarus’s and her epic poem. I have books I bought on the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island when we were there too, and cannot forget how moved I was of the whole trip and experience visiting Battery Park, Ellis Island and Lady Liberty. Stay encouraged about the book. I have tried to look at mine like this: if I only have written for my eyes, it is enough of a happiness and contentment, but as writers we all want to share our stories and hang on to our dreams, and see them fulfilled, so we remain hopeful.
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I like how Miss Lazarus was not a tyrant belittling the struggle, but rather a passionate caring teacher.
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Dear JK,
From all I’ve read E. L. was a passionate young woman who cared deeply about the immigrants’ plight. I’m glad you liked.
Shalom
Rochelle
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Lovely story. As always, I learned something important from your post!
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Many thanks, Jan. Happy to share. 😉
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I can’t imagine how it must have been, to arrive in a new land, with so limited an amount of the language.
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Dear Freya,
I agree. it must’ve been frightening. I can’t imagine going to another country and having to learn a whole new language and way of life. Thanks for stopping by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hi Rochelle,
Loved it. We are a nation of immigrants and we should never forget that. We are a mix of people who at some point got on a boat and started a new life. It must be an emotional moment when you pass that big statue in the harbor and look for the first time on your new home. Ron
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Dear Ron,
My grandparents must’ve felt that elation as they passed her. We do take much for granted since we haven’t had to endure those hardships. My worst “hardship” is when my internet goes down. Glad you dropped by and always pleased when someone loves my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Awesome! Both the story and the poem. I’d never read that poem. Only knew part of it from a game I play (Civilization V – when you create the Statue of Liberty wonder). Don’t laugh lol! They obviously refuse to teach these necessary things in American schools anymore opting for more necessary things like…Auto Mechanics and Wood Shop! lol… (No offense to anyone. I am only joking. In high school, if I could’ve taken Underwater Basket Weaving or Ice Fishing as a class to get out of brain work, I would have! Veteran of Home Economics and Gym, here. 😀 )
Definitely wish the greater portion of people in my neck of the woods would be forced read this before they proceeded to waste precious exhaled breath and say useless crap like, “Dammit! If ya come here, learn the damn language!” and “Close the effin’ borders! Border patrol!” After all, most of us are of the lineage of immigrants, right? Unless you’re named Robert Walking Eagle (for obvious reasons – so full of sh*t ya can’t fly! 😀 )…
Anyway, great story! Loved it. Throwing my lot in in the links after a not-so-brief hiatus, by the way. 🙂 …Just not sure I can keep it every week. It’s fun nonetheless!
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Ooops, meant to say “keep it up”* 🙂
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Dear Robert,
No need to pummel yourself. Most of us learned just enough to graduate high school. I had little to no interest in history back then. As for all of us being immigrants that includes those who came over on the Mayflower.
Glad you dropped by. Play when you can. 😉
shalom,
Rochelle
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Outstanding as always! I have always loved that poem, but never looked into who wrote it. I’m kind of glad it was a woman. Being part Native American and part German (my great grandparents came over from Germany to get away from the war) I like to think I’m a part of the American welcome wagon. Being Indian I understand being the ‘welcomer’ and being German I understand being the immigrant. (Also want to thank you for the birthday wishes!) 🙂
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Dear Jackie,
You put me in mind of my friend Hank. You might remember him as the subject of One Tin Soldier a few weeks ago. His mother was native American and his father was a German immigrant.
Glad you liked my story. Again, hope it was an outstanding birthday for you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I remember that story! Thank you! 🙂
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Rochelle- This is fabulous.You blended language and dialect really well. I just recently had a discussion with a friend who recently became a citizen. She was fascinated by the fact that in order to pass her citizen test she knew move about American governmental history then most of her American friends.And again I love that you wove history into the tale and taught me something new.
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Dear Dana,
I wonder what would happen if those of us born here had to meet the same requirements for citizenship. Maybe we wouldn’t take it so much for granted.
Thank you for your kind comments. Glad you liked.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I agree completely Rochelle. I don’t think we should expect more from others then we do of ourselves.
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Theese vas wery, wery goot. Eet ees hahppy tyme!
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Hooray! Hooray! Hooray! Everybody’s happy!….
…except the wolf.
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Rochelle,
Now that I am home from class and have a minute to leave a proper comment, I just want to say that I always learn something here. I admire how you research the back story for your stories. It makes them real. You give the characters depth in 100 words or less. No small task. I did click the link you provided for more info about Emma Lazarus and discovered she is buried in Beth-Olom Cemetery in NY. I am going to NY soon and am thinking I will make it my mission to find that cemetery. I’ll let you know how it goes.
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Please take a pic for us, Honie… that would be wonderful.
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Dear Honie,
I’m warmed by your comments in both places. 😉 No small compliments here. Made me smile. I always hope that I’m not overloading the reader with TMI but, as in this case, there was a lot more to this woman than commonly known. And if someone doesn’t care to follow the links they don’t have to.
I second Ted’s motion. If you could take a picture of the Emma’s headstone I’d love to have a copy.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Photos accomplished. Working on the post now.
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Beautiful post! An easy fast and a good healthy year to you!
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Dear Stephen,
May your name be written in the Book of Life. Glad you liked my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I loved your story – and now I want to learn more about Emma Lazarus, I don’t recall learning about her before now. This was my first time participating in this fun project of yours. I can tell this is going to be addicting – a good addiction! 🙂
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Dear Janine,
Happy to have you aboard. I’m glad you liked my story. And yes, I can attest to the power of the FF addiction. I don’t even think there’s a recovery program.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Brought tears to my eyes, and from your story I could easily see Emma Lazarus being inspired this way.
Here’s mine: http://unexpectedpaths.com/friday-fictioneers/the-new-colossus/
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Dear Maggie,
I take tears as the highest form of compliment. Thank you.
When I read about Emma’s work with Eastern European immigrants I knew that’s what I had to write.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sefving us some “last line genius” again this week Rochelle – nicely done!
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*serving* =)
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Dear Troy,
Genius? That’s some powerful compliment, Sir. Many thanks.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wholly meant. Thank you =]
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I like this one, Rochelle – you show us the student’s frustration and the teacher’s determination so well.
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Dear Sharon,
I’m pleased you liked. 😀 I can only imagine Rachel’s frustration, coupled with fear. From what I’ve read, Emma was determined and passionate. I’m a latent admirer.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Really wonderful tie in! I also used the Lady Liberty inscription in mine, though loosely integrated. Thanks again for the historical insight.
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Dear Erin,
I share ’em as I learn ’em. Glad you liked. We had some wonderful stories centered around Lady Liberty, didn’t we?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Absolutely inspiring. What a gift for that young girl to encounter such a wonderful teacher.
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Dear Denmother,
From what I’ve read I believe Emma had to have been a ball of fire. Happy you were inspired.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I haven’t written a story this week but on seeing the photo thought of immigrants. Your story is excellent just on its own, but is deepened by the tie-in to Emma Lazarus. My husband’s family came to England in the 70s, when he was 10. He had an agonised time due to racism, including from school teachers. (The headmaster of his first school used to stand next to him in assembly to make sure he was singing ‘Onward Christian Soldiers’ – he used to sing ‘Onward Muslim Soldiers’ in defiance, though he is not a practising Muslim)! He was also forced to eat pork in school dinners. We are no strangers to racism even now, I, due to my surname through marriage! Sorry about this epistle, obviously your story hit a nerve! Good for you! Ann
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P S My husband is Turkish by birth.
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Dear Ann,
I’m sorry your husband was subjected to abuse. it’s one thing to not agree with someone’s beliefs but quite another to force a child do something he believes is wrong. (I don’t eat pork either).
There’s no greater compliment to a writer than to elicit an emotional response. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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🙂
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I loved this touching lesson. I especially like how the teacher’s intense gaze “shot” through her. Oh that’s such an awful feeling and “shot” so succinctly describes a whole range of emotions that she would be feeling in that situation.
And, of course, I always get a mini-lesson about subjects I would never have taken the time to seek out in my life. I love how your responses to these challenges take me off the beaten path of my normal thinking and show me a glimpse of another world of thought and imagination!
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Dear Linda,
I’m happy to be your tour guide off the beaten path. As I find these historical nuggets it’s great fun to share them, thus joining two passions: research and writing. Thank you for dropping by with such glowing comments.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle,
You really captured the experience of immigrants in this small space. I imagine for many it was quite a letdown and not an easy road. Thanks for including the poem. I’ll admit I’m most familiar with those last lines.
Amy
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Dear Amy,
There are so many stories of immigrants to found poverty and prejudice rather than prosperity and freedom. I confess that I didn’t, heretofore, know the whole poem either. 😉 Thanks for swinging by and commenting.
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Wonderfully informative and touching. The words “You can. You will. You must.” could be interpreted as bullying, but with the action of Miss Lazarus taking Rachel’s hands you soften them to encouragement and hope.
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Dear Sarah Ann,
It just seemed to me what Emma Lazarus would’ve said to one of the immigrants she worked so hard to help and teach. I’m glad that the encouragement and tenderness I envisioned came across.
Thank you for your kind words.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Very good! I can only imagine how immigrants must have (must now) felt going through all that.
Scott
Mine: http://kindredspirit23.wordpress.com/2013/09/12/friday-fictioneers-sailing-away-horror-pg13/
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Thank you,Scott. I don’t know how it is for immigrants now but the ones who went through Ellis Island were put through the ringer.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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As usual, this was heartbreaking and beautiful – and informative! I had to be late this week and on a much lighter note. Hmmm. I wonder why… Tell you later. Yours in Athens, Lindaura
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Dear Lindaura,
Better late than never. 😉 Thank you for your lovely comments. Always nice to hear or this case read.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a fun idea! I added mine to Linkz. I hope you like it. 🙂
You do a great job of capturing characters within only a few words.
I read some of the other stories submitted and I am impressed with the talent here. Kudos all around!
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Dear Melissa,
Welcome to Friday Fictioneers. Thank you for the kudos. The 100 word challenge is a great passion of mine. I relish feedback, both positive and negative.
There is a lot of talent in this group coming from all over the globe. That’s one of the things that make it so much fun.
Going to read yours now.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you for the welcome Rochelle. Glad to be here. 🙂
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Fascinating, Rochelle. I do hope I return to learn more when I have the time.
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Thank you, Dawn. Glad you liked it. There’s a lot more out there on Emma Lazarus than what I posted. I spent hours digging for a story from pages of info.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Collection closed – but Friday Fictioneers is addictive, I learned this already…so I had no chance NOT to write a little story for this foto.
Regards Carmen
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