WELCOME TO FRIDAY FICTIONEERS!
Seize the opportunity to free your muse and allow her take you on a magic carpet ride.
Henry David Thoreau said it best.
“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.”
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.
- 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.***
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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 welcome constructive criticism. 
- Shalom,
Rochelle
As of 20 February the consensus is that my Genre is Horror 😉
Word Count: 98
BELLING THE CAT
Undaunted by the prospect of childbirth and motherhood, the epitome of idealistic youth, I cheerfully welcomed the task ahead. I’d show everyone how it’s done. What could possibly go wrong?
After an excruciating and humbling thirty-six hour labor and breech birth, Mara, my 8 pound lioness, roared forth into the world.
From infancy to puberty, she has marked her territory well.
Light glints off my sixteen-year-old’s silver nose-ring and gaudy orange-dyed mane. I cringe like cornered prey when she growls and dangles my car keys from her black-nailed fingers.
“Mo-om, you promised to start my driving lessons today.”
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
I like the way you described your daughter as a lioness 🙂
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Dear Imaginator,
If I had one she would be one. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well your writing certainly convinced this reader 😉
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Rochelle,
that sounds like a terrifying proposition, even more than childbirth. At least there, there were trained professionals around to help. 🙂 I like the humor; I decided to go that way too this week. Thanks for picking my picture. Thinking back, all three of mine that you have chosen I’ve written light-hearted pieces about.
-David
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Dear David,
My silly muse these days. Seems to be taking me in more humorous directions. This one came in the context of a conversation with a friend who looked that picture and said, “Belling the cat.” One of the most dangerous and difficult tasks of my life was making it through my sons’ teen years and coming out (somewhat) sane. 😉
Glad you liked. And thanks again for your photo contribution.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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And this is why children are born cute little babies, so we will fall in love with them. If they were born teenagers we would eat them!
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Oh Dawn,
All I can say to that is hahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Well said. I used to have a T-Shirt that said “Motherhood. That’s why ferrets eat their young.”
Shalom (And I have shalom because my kids are all grown and out of the house 😉 )
Rochelle
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And at the end the lioness daughter will actually rule here own flock…
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Dear Björn,
Yes, she will and she will find that paybacks are hell. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Good story Rochelle! Likening the daughter to a lioness was great. Some children have to go those that phase. Our daughter colored her hair, etc. so much that when she found a gray hair in her late teens, her brother said she probably killed it.
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Dear PRS,
My children all went through the hair color/goth phase in their teens. My youngest son died his hair purple right before his brother’s college graduation. My husband was NOT happy. Glad you liked my story, thanks for sharing a bit of yours. Teenagers..isn’t it amazing that parents survive them?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love the story – I have two daughters so I can relate! the link to the fable explains how you got there – interesting to learn a new reference.
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Dear Liz,
I’m really happy that you checked the link. After having to explain my title and how it applies to my story to a couple of people, I decided it might be nice to give a reference. 😉
I never had daughters, but my teenage sons were challenging enough without the added attraction of estrogen. Glad you liked my story. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Just loved it Rochelle, beautifully written. Brilliant metaphor.
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Sweet Indira,
Thank you. Glad you liked and caught the metaphor.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Slowly I’m learning, no? Shalom.
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😀
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Rochelle,this was excellent!Loved the rich imagery and how you laced it with subtle humour :-)Reading this reminded me of myself as a teenager,though my mom never cowered,lol!
Off to post mine now 😀
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Dear Atreyee,
After taking me out to drive the first time, my dad got out of the car and kissed the driveway. Then I got to take each of my three sons out. So I guess that was my payment in triplicate. 😉 Glad you liked the story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Aww,so sweet-thrice the joy 😉
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“my 8 pound lioness, roared forth into the world…” aww that’s so lovely! you know, i actually felt the love in this story.
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Dear KZ,
I’m glad you felt the love. Just because we gasp at some of the things our kids do doesn’t mean we don’t love them. I’m glad that came across.
Thanks for commenting.
shalom,
Rochelle
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My older sister told me when I was pregnant that having the child is the easy part, the real challenge is in raising them. Great story.
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Dear Zainab,
Your sister was so right. I did go through the driving rituals with each one. I’m happy to say that each of my sons made it out of the teenage years without my killing them and are wonderful young men. (Your son is beautiful).
Glad you liked my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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“..without my killing them” Haha!!
Thanks for the compliment.
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Rochelle, as you know, I can very much identify with your story although, overall, the difficult years were the vast minority. I think it’s partly my own fault. I asked God to help me develop patience and He put me in situations where I had lots of practice. 🙂 The moral of that is be careful what you ask for!! I do tremble a bit, though, at seeing your nice/humorous side for the second week in a row. What will happen when the dark side breaks loose???
janet
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Dear Janet,
I learned a long time ago never to pray for patience. 😉
I make no promises for my muse. I only write what the voices tell me.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’ve never heard that phrase before, Rochelle, but I like it … and what you did with it. We put ourselves through so many challenges as parents – labour is just the beginning of it all.
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Dear Jennifer,
In the end, I think, the challenges were all worth it. There are things I wish I’d done differently but when I watch my adult sons living rich lives I think perhaps I did something right.
Glad you liked. Thanks for dropping by.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh, I remember the days well. Two children, two drivers, lots of horrifying moments between the ditches, as they say. Superb use of this fable, and terrific description of Mara, a force with which to be reckoned. Hope she grows up to use her powers for good.
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Dear Honie,
I have three children. I think perhaps it was paybacks for my teenage years. 😉 As I told someone in another comment, after my first drive around the neighborhood with my dad, he got out and kissed the driveway. True story. As for Mara, we can only hope. My sons all went through the black lipstick goth stage. I’m pleased that they’re all good men that make me proud.
Thanks for commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Is your daughter a Leo? lol I sometimes refer to myself as a lioness when the word fits. I dread the day it comes about but my 12 year old already told me, “Mom I want a corvette.” I enjoyed the description and how quickly it goes from birth to the learners permit!
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Dear W.O.P,
Actually I don’t have a daughter. But perhaps Mara is. 😉 I have three sons who, during their teen years, ha me counting my blessings that I didn’t have girls. They were all artists, sensitive souls and driving lessons were challenging. Coupled with estrogen it could’ve been worse.
Thanks for commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A Wild Child…. love it.
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Thank you, Ruth. 😀
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This is hilarious! I was genuinely terrified of your lioness!
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Dear Lisa,
Those teenagers can be pretty terrifying. 😉 Thank you.
shalom,
Rochelle
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I see why you call her a lioness. The teenager fits the physical description, and apparently, she expects to be in charge of things. That’s a future CEO there. Great story and enjoyable read. 🙂
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Dear Eric,
Yes, I believe Mara took the world by force at an early age. 😉 Glad you enjoyed my story. It was fun to write. All this light-hearted stuff is going to ruin my reputation.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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😉
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Rochelle, I find your story at once humorous and frightening. I never had children, and these days I find myself more and more grateful. Sad? Not really. I don’t think I could have appropriately responded to the child you describe. Better for her/him and me. 😉
Loving your work as always!
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Dear Lynda,
I desperately wanted a little girl when I was having my babies. In retrospect I’m grateful for my boys. I’m not sure I’d have been up to the challenge of adolescent estrogen. My sensitive, right brained sons were challenge enough.
Glad you liked my story. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Let the games begin … but, you’ve heard me say that anyway! 😀
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We who are about to dye salute you.
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😀
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Sooooo–how is your protagonist going to bell this cat? Perhaps the car keys should jangle a bit longer in Mama’s pocket. Fun story.
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Dear VB,
Not sure Mom’s ever going to be able to bell this cat. 😉 Glad you like my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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you marked genre as “questionable”. I think that you can safely mark it as “horror”. Personally, I’m horrified about the time when I’ll have to start teaching my 3 boys how to drive.
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Dear Bryan,
Yep, I have three sons. They’re all adults on their own now, but teaching them to drive was horrifying at times. Good luck with yours. You might note that I have changed the genre to horror. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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My oldest is 11, and my youngest is 3 1/2. The fact you survived gives me hope. 🙂
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I agree with Bryan that the genre here is horror. 🙂 Reminds me a bit too much of my oldest niece who turned 18 this week.
Peace,
Marie Gail
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Dear Marie Gail,
Indeed. I changed the genre. Some of this story is my parents’ experience revisited. After my first drive around the neighborhood with my dad, he got out and kissed the driveway. True story. Nice when a story brings out personal experiences.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Having a daughter, I actually faced your hilarious challenge Rochelle – my reply was when I think you’re mature enough… we certainly grew up fast after that !
Loved your story, and great to have a giggle… love the idea of the genre being a horror story – definitely relate to that !!!
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Dear Valerie,
It seems that a great number of parents relate to this story. 😉 I never had a daughter but my sons mirrored Mara in one way or another in a masculine way. At times it was horrifying, probably the most trying part of motherhood next to toilet training. I’m pleased that it made you giggle.
Kia Ora,
Rochelle
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That ending was equal parts terrifying and hilarious. My younger brother just recently started driving and I myself went through the “driver-in-training stage” with my parents just a few years ago. Despite that I have always been a very cautious driver, that didn’t keep my mom from gripping the handle on the passenger side door like it would go flying open. I thought that as the big sister I would be WAY more chill when it came to riding with my brother than my parents are. Sure enough, I find myself gripping the passenger door and praying we make it back alive. =D
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Dear L.E.
As the mother of three sons, I’m sure there are indentations on the passenger side door handles of the cars they learned in. There’s nothing more terrifying that putting your life in the hands of the fruit of your womb. But then I suppose I had it coming after putting my own parents through the same terrors.
Glad you enjoyed the story for I enjoyed your comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, You captured this moment of terror for a parent very well. To this day I can vividly recall the agony of my mom teaching me to drive. Can’t say it was easy for either of us.You description were fabulous. Love her keys hanging dangling from black finger nails. I was struggling with character description and this has given me some inspiration. Thanks. Dana
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Dear Dana,
I took drivers ed in high school and did a great job on the written but I won’t publicize my score on the driving. Let’s just say I didn’t pass that part. My parents lost patience, particularly when I ran mother’s car off the road while on a learner’s permit. A licensed friend took me out to practice. If it had been a cliff instead of a hill on the off ramp, I wouldn’t be typing this reply.
I guess my three sons were paybacks in triplicate. 😉
Glad something I wrote helped inspire.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Nice twist …. didn’t see that coming! Brilliant depiction of the parents terror.
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Dear Caroline,
I think most parents of teenagers have felt that cornered prey feeling a time or two. 😉 Thanks for your comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh my word Rochelle! How are you ever going to tame this wildcat?? 🙂 Great story and thrilled not to be in your imaginary maternal shoes.
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Dear Nina,
I don’t know if this wildcat can be tamed. Hopefully her spirit can be channeled in good directions. 😉 Thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What delicious use of metaphor, darling. Puuuurrrrr-fect, as Eartha Kitt would have said.
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Dear Helena,
Ah. Eartha…what a woman! A personal hero of mine. Glad you like my story, darling.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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somehow the story just rings a bell. 🙂
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😉
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The author of Dodging Miss Daisy can certainly relate to this tale. I clicked on Belling the Cat and enjoyed the education. My father in-law once told me the best way to vacinate a cat was to stick it head first down a rubber boot and vacinate it in the hip. Do NOT EVER attempt this. The only way this could possibly work would be if the cat were rendered unconcious first.
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Dear Morris,
This story started with the phrase. Parenting teenagers is one of the most treacherous things I could think of. Ever try to bathe a cat. I did. Only once. 😉
Shalom,
Coach
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Yes, teaching a teenager to drive counts as horror! 8^)
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Dear R.E.
Those of us who’ve attempted to bell that cat know the truth of the horror.
Thank you for commenting
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Very amusing–and very realistic!
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Thank you very much, Jan. 😀
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Your are so creative, Rochelle! This is exquisite. I like your comment to Bjorn that paybacks are hell. Oh yes, they are. I’m finding this out. Great, well-crafted story!
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Dear Amy,
Thank you for your sweet comments. 😀 Fortunately, those days are behind me.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I just laugh about my boys, they are getting ready to go through the teenage years with their kids – what goes around, comes around. Good story! Nan
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Dear Nan,
I think there’s a special place in heaven for those who’ve survived their children’s teen years. Thank you for commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ha, great story, Rochelle!
I’m waiting for my 2.8 year old niece to grow up into the lioness I think she will be.
As Dawn said, they’re all cuteness and vulnerability when they’re teeny so we’ll take care of them until …. they can take care of themselves.
Nicely done (as always!)
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Dear Joanna,
I believe God designed babies to be adorable and cute so that when they wake us with colic in the middle of the night we won’t mind cuddling them and comforting them. By the time they’re teenagers we’ve gotten used to them. 😉
Glad you liked the story. I had fun writing it.
shalom,
Rochelle
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A metaphoric genius. The teenager as a wild lion I picture that very well. This could be a State Farm commercial. Great Rochelle. 🙂
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Dear Kim,
Hmmm…maybe I’ll write a script and send it to State Farm. 😉 Metaphoric genius? Nice of you to say so.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Terrible teen. I’m dreading it! 🙂
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Take heart, Celestine. The teens aren’t terrible for everyone. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great Rochelle – Funny and Horrific together!! 😀 Love your story!
I did a little mess-up. I only looked at just the photo yesterday (to get an idea to ferment) and hadn’t saw the Horror genre announcement until after I had linked my story (oops). Anyway, I’ll pay closer attention next week!
Your metaphor is Fantastic! Teenagers can be predatorily and a nightmare to live with. Just want to say…. Fine Job indeed!! 🙂
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Thank you, Victoria. Actually everyone chooses their own genre. The only thing I choose is the photo so no worries.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh the horror! I love the description of her as a lioness – I would love my imaginary daughter to be so bold too!
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Dear Freya,
Judging from my sons and my own teen years, I’m afraid my daughter would’ve been just like that. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s unabashed cheating! The foreword calling the genre horror was my favorite part so it should be added to the word count! 😉
Peace, Tay.
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Dear Tay,
Cheating? What’s cheating? There’s no cheating in Friday Fictioneers. Genre and title don’t add to the word count. Hee hee. 😉
shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story…can’t wait for her to be the leader< the beauty of Motherhood indeed 🙂
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Dear Camgal,
They say that what goes around comes around. Someday maybe Mara will have a daughter of her own. 😉 Glad you liked the story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle,
I don’t know what the problem is but I cannot put in my link. It keeps spinning but does not open. Could you slip this in:
http://wp.me/p1RzUf-3nM
Thanks.
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Hi Sun,
No problems. You’re 94 on the list. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks!!!
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i love the way you described the daughter…seems like there are many like her in today’s modern world. thanks for link to belling the cat – love the wisdom behind the story.
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Dear Sun,
Happy to help you link…anytime. I see a lot of Mara’s walking around loose. Glad you liked my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hi! I nominated you for a Sunshine Award! Details here http://bloggedartistry.wordpress.com/2014/02/21/good-day-sunshine/
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Dear Blogged,
While I’m highly flattere that you would nominate me, I shy away from these awards due to their chain-letter feel. If it didn’t entail nominating ten other people I might reconsider, but they always do.
Again…thank you,
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Understood and no worries
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Your maternal love seeps through your edgy humor. There’s no mistaking it. Lucky daughter to be loved by a mom who lets her be herself.
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Dear Millie,
I hope that feel translated to my sons who were and are unique individuals. Never had a daughter but she probably would’ve been like this girl if I had. As it was, my youngest son dyed his hair purple just prior to his brother’s college graduation. It didn’t bother the graduate who sported earrings and a long ponytail but my Chief Petty Officer husband was furious. 😉
Thank you for your fun comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sounds like a great daughter. Ditto the mother.
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However fictitious. Thank you, Patrick.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I have a sixteen year old learning to drive right now, so this probably comes under ‘Non Fiction’ for me. One day it’s going to be me and not the driving instructor in the passenger seat.
P.S My blog is being marked as Spam in WordPress, can you unblock me from your spam folder.
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Dear Subroto,
How strange that you’ve been pegged as spam. I have now several entries from you. I’m so sorry about that.
As for my story…much of it is non fiction. Been there with all three of my sons. 😉 Best wishes to you and your precarious passenger seat.;)
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m not sure how to keep it from happening again, but if it does email me. Meanwhile, next week, I’ll check my spam more closely. Usually I check it on a daily basis because it happens even to some of my closest friends. Guess I fell down on the job. 😉
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Thanks Rochelle. I signed for a wordpress account specifically to get around this issue for now.
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I hope it helps. Sometimes I think it’s just wordpress gremlins.
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I remember that you have a son, but imagine your daughter would be this young woman. So real and descriptive, Rochelle. ” Light glints off my sixteen-year-old’s silver nose-ring;” the imagery leaps off the page.
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Dear Dawn,
That’s actually a son times three. 😉 All unique, artistic, right-brained individuals. I think my daughter would’ve been very much like Mara. But then their mom was a hippie back in the day.
I always look forward to your comments. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Three boys, oh my! I am always amazed by “those” moms… and it is not surprising at all, to learn that their mom was a hippie! Back in the day… 😉 Shalom, Dawn
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That hits so close to home! Noooooooo!!!!!!!! One of the scariest stories I’ve read in a long time for sure!
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Nothing strikes terror in a parent’s heart like putting her life into the hands of the fruit of her womb. Thanks for commenting, Riya.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Amazingly woven as always Rochelle! Witty and humourous and ah truly terrifying when I conjure up a picture of Mara! 😀
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Dear Sam,
Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Just thought I’d mention that there are no vampires featured this week – as far as I can recall. Soooo good.
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I don’t recall any either, Patrick. 😉 But there’s still over 24 hours left on this week’s link.
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I wrote a response to this, but alas, I was too late to post in the link. However, here is the link to my post, if anyone is interested:
Better late than never. I’ll try to do better the next time. 🙂
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GRRREAT story. Oh, Tony was a Tiger, wasn’t he? Loved the descriptions.
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