Below is the PHOTO PROMPT. Does it spark an idea for you? Step outside the fuse box and switch on a story.
My story will follow the prompt and the blue inLinkz frog. I appreciate honest feedback for it’s how we grow as writers.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Word Count: 100
TIP OF THE SPEAR
“Eddie, why did you do that?”
“I dunno,” he mumbled.
Eddie hung his head and stared at Mom’s shattered porcelain teapot. It never occurred to him when he threw his ball at the cat that he’d miss.
“Special Ed.” His sister Karen stuck out her tongue and crossed her eyes. “Retard.”
“Impulsive and disruptive,” his second grade teacher told Mom the day he stuck a piece of foil in the electrical outlet. “He’ll never amount to much.”
____________
“Why did Eddie do that?” Karen whispered.
“Impulsive and fearless.” The tall Marine handed her a folded American flag. “A true hero.”
.
.
.
Oh Rochelle this one is amazing and beyond!
So rich and moving. So well drawn I find myself grieving for another impulsive and disruptive child.
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Dear Emmy,
Thank you for such a high compliment. It starts my day with a smile and beyond. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well deserved! 🙂
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Beautiful! Our weaknesses are also our strengths 🙂 I’ve missed FF the last few weeks and I’m so glad to be back!
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Dear Jessie,
Welcome back and thank you for such a nice compliment. Indeed, our weaknesses can often turn out to be our greatest strengths.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What an original take.. indeed sometimes we need the descriptiveness.. sometimes it’s what makes the difference.. sometimes a bad end can be good for others. This one I will ponder.
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Dear Björn,
Sacrifice is the earmark of a hero. I don’t know if I could ever be one, but I have a great admiration and respect for those who give their lives without reserve.
Thank you for commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Clever story. And thank god for heroes just doing it.
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Amen to that, Patrick. Thank you for commenting and complimenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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He did amount to something, something admirable. I love this one, Rochelle.
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Dear Melanie,
It’s easy to discount the unruly child isn’t it? Sometimes those weaknesses turn out to be their greatest strengths.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Blessed are the impulsive and disruptive; they go places many of us would never dare to go. Lovely story Rochelle and informative too – I’m off to find some tin foil and a socket… 🙂
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Dear Sandra,
It’s easy to get annoyed with those impulsive kids who don’t think before acting or seem to need to be the center of attention. I wonder how many stars, politicians and war heroes met that description as children.
Thank you for your wonderful comments and let me know how that tin foil in the socket works for you. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh, this is wonderful Rochelle – very moving. We must never dismiss childrens’ abilities, everything can be seen in a different way in adulthood.
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Dear Claire,
I have three sons. The youngest was the most disruptive and challenging, He’s also extremely talented and a delightful young man.
Thank you for such a lovely comment. Coming from an author of your caliber it means a lot.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ahhh, that is so sad. A beautiful story Rochelle, just sad. 😦
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Dear Joy,
Life can be sad at times, can’t it?
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yes, it sure can. I enjoyed your lovely sad story. 🙂
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I love how you bring the quintessence of your story in the last sentence. Unexpected und surprising. Sad story, but one of those, I think about after reading.
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Dear Carmen,
Thank you for such lovely comments. They’re nice to read on windy morning.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Really moving story, Rochelle. It shows that we have to listen to the child and take nothing or granted. The very questioning, experimental, and curious child is often showing intelligence. I wouldn’t change a child like that for the world. Well done as always. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
Intelligent children are challenging. I had three of them (proud mom). There were times I wanted to pull out my hair. What one wouldn’t think of the others did. My youngest in particular always acted first and thought later. I’m happy to say that all of them are grown men living productive lives.
Thank you for such nice comments on my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Woosh, yes, me too. He loved jumping from aeroplanes, tho his specialty was computers, a heart of gold. What a wonderfully insightful story, I think we all know a mischievous child or two (Einstein and Steve Jobs come to my mind, of the famous ilk). Aren’t we glad their mothers didn’t give up on them?
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Dear Caoimhe,
A mother should never give up on her child, should she?
Thank you for reading and commenting on my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A wonderful story Rochelle. My heart broke for the child that was discounted and cheered for the man he became. Beautiful
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Dear Treerabold,
To know that my story evoked such a gamut of emotion is the kind of thing that keeps me banging away as a writer.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Nice work, Rochelle. “It never occurred to him that he would miss.” That’s the mark of a true hero as well as a true genius. The ending makes the story.
All my best,
Marie Gail
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Dear Marie Gail,
Thank you reading and understanding. Your comments mean a lot to me.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Bravo, Rochelle. We impulsive ones make good Soldiers.
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Dear BR,
I think you’re probably right. Were you in the service?
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, I still am.
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What branch, BR? Before I forget…thank you for your service.
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Army, and you’re quite welcome.
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Well, Rochelle, expectations are interesting things; I read this half-expecting it to turn into a story about Edison or someone (I know, I know, no outlets in Edison’s time, but you take my meaning), even though you clearly titled it Realistic, not Historical fiction.
The first section is out-of-the-park good. I was absolutely there, with the frustrated mother, the impulsive boy and the taunting sister. Amazing. I loved them all instantly.
For me, the second section was almost a letdown; it told me Eddie’s end, but without enough context to really grieve for him. I’d have liked it to be more clear that his Impulsiveness had been for the good in the end and not just tragic. In a soldier, I can imagine how Impulsiveness and Fearlessness might just get one killed unnecessarily, and I wanted to feel that in this case it had made him do something heroic (above and beyond ‘just’ being a soldier). Does that make sense?
Anyway, I am nitpicking. I LOVED the first part and don’t want to take away from that with my ramblings about the ending.
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Dear Jennifer,
The fact that you loved any part of my story is gratifying. And I appreciate your honest feedback for the latter part. It’s hard to get every detail into a hundred words, isn’t it?
I think his impulsiveness was for the good…the kind of thing that makes a man sacrifice his life for a comrade without a whole lot of thought aside from the fact that it’s the right thing to do. I imagine that in those situations a person has to make snap decisions. I think Eddie was that kind of hero.
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a comprehensive comment. Your support is something I’ve come to count on.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The impulsiveness of one isolated incident from childhood/youth may or may not be relevant to adult life but it shows that channeled into the right direction, it can work out so well
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Dear Larry,
One never knows just how those impulsive children will turn out. My husband’s family used to say that all his school pictures needed was a number under them. I’m here to testify that after forty-three years of marriage that he turned out to be a man of integrity.
Thank you for commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You know, this moved me in an unexpected way. I was the firing party commander for military funerals (the ones who do the 21 gun salute) and it always made me feel so proud to watch the delivery of the flag to a family member. Their genuine appreciation to the person presenting the flag shined through their grief. I love this story, the connection you made with Eddie’s character from childhood was terrific.
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Dear Stephonie,
I can’t begin to tell you how much your comment means to me. Thank you for sharing this bit of your own history along with your compliments for my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Full of life – nicely told.
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Thank you, Peter. Glad you thought so.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So much in so few words
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Thank you for saying so, Francesca.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great plot twist.
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Thank you, Hilary. 😀
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As well as being a beautifully formed story this raises so many issues in such a small space.
I would love more too – but isn’t that part of the point that questions and possible answers linger..
I once heard a child psychologist who was very anti drug treatments for (so-called) disruptive children pointing out that as a society we need to collectively value all types of behaviours, rather than celebrate one perfect impossible human being and he pointed to both extreme and everyday situations where caution is not always appropriate.
Your story brought back this passionate plea to value individuals not hand out the drugs..There are other views on this very controversial subject I know.
Cheers for stories and yours in particular!
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Dear MJ,
One of the ironies of these ADHD kids is that they tend to be creative and talented individuals. I have a son who fits this description. Medication seemed to help at first but over the years it didn’t do much good. In his teens, my son stopped taking his meds and started selling them. How brilliant is that?
He’s now a grown man who still deals with the challenges but he’s going about it in natural ways.
Thank you for your comments on my story. They’re always appreciated.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great piece, Rochelle. As I’m finding out with my kids, people just want to put them in the behaving box where everything is fine and creativity is minimized. Many of us don’t know who we are or what we’re capable of until we heal from childhood. 🙂 I love this!
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Dear Amy,
Our youngest son had a tumultuous childhood. Some of that I blame on the school system…okay…a lot of it. Medicate them make them docile and passive. No matter what they did, he never fit the mold and kept escaping the box. He’s talented and creative and I’m glad we survived.
I look back on my own childhood. Actually, a HS guidance counselor more or less told me I wouldn’t amount to much. He told me I wasn’t college material and that I should either go to trade school or get married. For years I believed the lie that I was stupid.
Thank you for your comments on my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I’m sorry to hear about your youngest. I’m homeschooling my third grader right now, because he doesn’t fit the mold, and I’m worried about his mental health if I send him back to school. It’s a very fragile situation. Unfortunately, I don’t think schools have learned very much how to think outside the box. I’m glad your son is doing well now. It does feel like a game of survival. I’m already anxious about next year and what to do.
That counselor can stick it! Shame on the counselor! That makes me mad. Well, you showed him. I suffered from low self-esteem in school, and it took me years and years to have a better view of things. That comes from a limited perception of things as a kid. If only I knew then what I know now! Well, I think you’re brilliant!
Shalom,
Amy
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Dear Amy,
A therapist once suggested that I homeschool my son but I was afraid the only subject I would teach would be child abuse. I admire you and other parents who can take this on. School was not a good experience for him, though. And their IEP’s were a joke. I take issue with suspending a student for playing hooky. Is it just me or is there something grossly wrong with that picture? I’ll be sending thoughts and prayers your direction for your situation. My experience has been that they do grow up and make their way in the world. I love my adult sons and enjoy seeing what they’ve become.
I’ve often thought about trying to find Mr. Shank and tell him what I thought. I’m sure he wouldn’t remember me, if he’s still around. His advice was based on my GPA which wasn’t too high. (And he was an idiot). It wasn’t until years later when I was hospitalized (one of the many times) for depression and given an IQ test. The therapist who gave me the results was incredulous when I told her I had two sons between 135 and 145 IQ’s and I knew mine was going to come out in two digits. She never told me my numbers but just smiled and said, “Where do you think they got it?” It took years after that for it to sink in. I’d believed fr so long that my brother was the smart one and I was the dumb one. Found out later on that my brother saw me as the talented one and himself as the one lacking.
Thank you for your affirming words and continual support. Friend like you are the reason I had to keep Friday Fictioneers going.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle,
You got me all teary eyed. Teachers have a lot of power and sometimes it’s abused. Just yesterday, my son got a detention for talking…for under thirty seconds at the beginning of class. I thought it was harsh. I think as kids, we can be quite insular in our worlds, especially when people like teachers put negative thoughts in our heads. I absolutely don’t agree with it. I think you should write a story about Mr. Shank or something! It would be a gift for those suffer with feelings of inadequacy, which should never be the case with any child.
As for my homeschooling efforts, it’s been tough. I wasn’t ready for my child to be labeled as a defiant kid, and teachers and administration just look at the parents to solve the problem. He had a behavior plan in class that was laughable. I can believe your son’s IEPs were a joke. He had a teacher last year that never gave any other options for doing work. It was her way or the highway. We took the highway! I don’t know what’s in store for next year. We’ll just keep plugging along for now.
Interesting how your brother had the same thoughts as you, and how when we are so sure of something, we can’t see another possibility. Look at you now with two exceptionally bright kids. I wouldn’t doubt it for a second it came from you! You can always talk to me about anything, Rochelle. I so appreciate you hosting the Fictioneers every week. We are so lucky! You shine the way…you are our light in the darkness.
Shalom,
Amy
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The connection between boy and man was beautifully done, great piece of storytelling 🙂
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Dear Helen,
Thank you. Your saying so means a lot.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a wonderful tale of courage.
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Thank you, Louise. I’m glad you thought so.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle,
You sure know how to drive it home! 🙂
The faulty expectations some adults make about kids, huh?
Adam
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Dear Adam,
Children often live up, or down as as the case may be, to adult expectations. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I had no idea where this was going then BOOM! Very nicely done. Thanks for reminding us of all the heroes.
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Dear Alicia,
I’m pleased that you like my story. It means a lot.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This hits a bit close to home and makes it emotional. Many, many lives were turned around by serving their country due to the military bringing out their best, sometimes hidden talents and motivation. You are always able to do this in 100 words or less. HOW?
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Wow. First read through I didn’t scroll past the line… should’a known better. Kids most always prove adults right, no matter what the adults say about them. Labels are for jars, not for people. Excellent story.
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Dear Kimberly,
I’m glad you went back for a second read and liked my story. I agree. People are too quick to label others, myself included.
Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
This story is pretty much perfect as it is. You told us all we needed to know and left the rest for our emotions and intellects to process. Can you say Rorschach?
Nice touch with the socket story.
It’ll levitate you.
Aloha,
Doug
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Dear Doug,
Your comments are always like a fresh drink of water. Thank you for your encouraging words that blot out misgivings. A little tin foil can liven up a room.
Inroads last years.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This made me cry!
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Dear Dawn,
Compliments don’t get much better.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well done, Rochelle. What a tragic world this would be if those out-of-the-box boys and girls didn’t grow up to be out-of-the-box men and women!
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Dear Lisa,
Truer words were never spoken. So why do we still try to make children and adults fit into the box?
Thank you for reading and commenting, it’s much appreciated.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle, We have 4 boys and two were in the Army – also Mike. The youngest one was always spying on everyone – One Christmas he got everything that “Spy-Tech” was selling and he used it every where in this house. I would go up the stairs at night, and the movement alarm would go off and so many more tricks. Now, he is a policeman. I love your story Rochelle, it is excellent! Military funerals are so sad – been to several. Nan
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Dear Nan,
What a great story of your son, the spy/policeman. I’m amazed at my sons that all three grew from disorganized, impulsive little boys into creative men. None of them joined the military despite my Navy recruiter husband’s attempts to persuade them.
I’ve only been to one military funeral when my brother in law who was in the Air Force died in a car wreck while stationed in Turkey. That twenty-one gun salute goes right through you, doesn’t it?
Thank you, as always, for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow! having lost both my boys, this really hit home! And they were ADHD, too! but one was highly motivated, the other had a few learning issues. You definitely have a gift. I would like to join up, however I don’t understand how to do so (I have had 3 strokes). Can you help me get started? Thanks. And…Thanks.
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Dear Betty,
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. I have a son who was ADHD and the biggest challenge of my three sons. Happily, he’s a creative young man who is learning to deal with it without the horrid meds he used take.
I will try to walk you through the process. First: Copy and paste the photo prompt into your blog post. Then write a one hundred word story to go with it. It can be about anything the photo inspires you to write.
Once you have your story posted to your blog, go to the inLinkz box. That’s the blue box with the little frog. Click that and at the bottom of the page there should be a little blue box on the left that says “add your link.” Click that. Copy and paste your story URL (the line in the white box at the top) in the first white box. Follow the directions to add your link.
I hope this helps. I look forward to reading your entry.
Thank you for coming by and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks. I will try. If I have problems I will get back with you.
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this one made me teary-eyed. pass the tissue, please.
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Dear Plaridel,
Always happy to evoke emotion. Sending tissue your way.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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sometimes our talents aren’t fully known until later in life. (saluting)
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Dear Rich,
Sad but true. Thanks for the salute.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Touching story.
Patriotism & craziness together…
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Thank you, Anita.
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Wonderful story, Rochelle. “Special Ed” is just the sort of creative cruelty that kids possess. I like how you reused impulsive, with different connotations (actually, I read your post as I was getting up this morning and mistakenly thought the folded flag picture was the prompt. I was wracking my brains for a story when I read it again and realized my mistake.)
-David
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Dear David,
I’m glad you caught my use of impulsive as having two different meanings. I can’t help but thing a hero’s sacrifice is an impulse to do the right thing.
I’m also glad you caught yourself before using the wrong photo.
Thank you for your wonderful comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Your story moved me, very well connected.
It reminded of my oldest sons 2nd grade teacher who told me my expectations for him were to high.
Shocked me to my core, then ticked me off to my core. How dare she?
He showed them, doing extremely well.
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Dear Calipatti,
Bravo to you and your son. To you for not accepting such a thing and to him for proving her wrong.
Nice to hear that my story had an effect on you. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Just goes to show that the most challegeing child can often become our hero, if we (parents) just love them and give them time. Excellent story.
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Dear Sheila,
Challenging children seem to end up as adults with the most drive and creativity.
Thank you for kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story. Just shows that behaviour not accepted in “normal” life can be just the thing for a life in the military. Very sad ending, though 😦
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Dear Ali,
Some endings just have to be sad.
Thank you for reading and commenting. It’s always appreciated.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow! What a great turnaround at the end… love this!
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Thanks for the read and nice comment, John Mark.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Clever and true. Every trait of character can be put to positive and negative uses. So much depends on parents and teachers. Reminds me of 2 teachers, one who applauded me for getting totally absorbed (at age 6) by my reading, the other slapped me round the head and screamed at me for not paying attention. In the second case, I recall distinctly the book I was reading: Gemima Puddleduck. I still like ducks. 🙂
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Dear Ann,
As a child I often received bad marks for not paying attention. I was quite the daydreamer. Now I find that this trait comes in very handy as an author. .Who knew?
Your experience with the second teacher sounds awful. I’m so sorry that happened to you.
Thank you for coming by for a read and a comment.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Gemima Puddleduck was furious. She wanted to bite her on my behalf, but I bit her myself. 🙂
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I have a feeling that describes you too, Rochelle. I liked your story. I was surprised to see my photo…and pleased, as I like that one. I was part of a B&W photo challenge to go out and take a B&W photo of one of the first things you see. I was wondering what would happen and saw the side of my kiln and thought it looked interesting and would be in B&W.
I have entered a story today, written not by me, but by a real author… I hope everyone will give a warm welcome to my friend Mary Ellen. I hope to be back soon, but have been busy with a project.
http://tedstrutz.com/2015/01/29/friday-fictioneers-off/
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Dear Ted,
I took you at your word two years ago when you gave me permission to use any of your photos. I feel in love with this one.
I, too, have been busy with a project so I’m slow getting around to reading, commenting and answering my comments this week. i’ll be reading your friend’s story soon.
Thanks for coming by to read and comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
PS thank you for the photo. We’re all enjoying it.
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The end took me by surprise. I had to read it twice to get the full impact. Your story was really good.
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Dear Susan,
Thank you so much for such nice comments. They make my day.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Your story was incredibly moving. It gave you a sense of the boy and the man he became. The repetition with one word difference worked really well. The piece had massive impact.
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Dear Irene,
I’m glad the repetition of the word worked for you. It was my full intent that impulsive be something of a double entendre.
Thank you for such lovely comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s quite a story in 100 words and a photo!
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Dear Stephen,
Thank you for coming by to read and comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I like the tie back, at the end, to something the sister probably remembers being discussed years earlier – and the truth in the tall Marine’s words.
Ellespeth
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Dear Ellespeth,
I’d hoped readers would catch just that. 😉
Thank you so very much for your comments. They mean a lot. I’m sorry I’m so slow getting around this week.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I hope his sacrifice was worth it.
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I hope so, too Alice. Thanks for reading.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s a great story. Having known someone who came home wrapped up in a flag, it reminded me of those words in the Kohima Allied war cemetery in India.
“When you go home, tell them of us and say
For their tomorrow, we gave our today.”
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Dear Subroto,
That’s a beautiful sentiment. Thank you for sharing it with me.
I do admire these military men who give the ultimate sacrifice. Thank you for reading and giving such wonderful comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ah, excellent. Those traits that are criticised in school occasionally become identified as our strengths.
Enjoyable 🙂
KT
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Dear KT,
I think sometimes those kids who are disruptive have untapped leadership qualities. Thank you for your comments. I always look forward to them.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Such a full character portrait. I loved the line about him thinking he couldn’t miss – such confidence. I am left thinking how one person can be seen in so many different ways – one man’s brave is another man’s fool-hardy. So well told.
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Dear Sarah Ann,
You saw my story in a way that I didn’t. I actually thought of Eddie’s throwing the ball as thoughtless. Kind of the way my youngest was. When you asked him why he did something and he said, “I dunno.” He really didn’t. At the same time I think Eddie the man was a hero. He saw the right thing and did it with no thought to himself.
At any rate, I’m happy you liked me story that much .
Thank you for stopping by.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story. 🙂 It always bothers me that some character traits are demonized in society (such as impulsiveness) but that can actually be very useful / important in some walks of life. It’s sad that Eddie died to prove that point.
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Dear Fairymind,
I’m not so sure that Eddie died to prove a point. I think he saw the need and answered the call. 😉 We do tend to label, don’t we? (Myself included.)
Thank you for the read and comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Really touching, Rochelle.
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Thank you, Vinitha. 😀
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What an incredibly poignant ending. Eddie certainly grew up to prove them all wrong. A wonderful story and so well written, Rochelle.
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Dear Millie,
Thank you for such a lovely comment. You know I often think of you when I swim. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’ve just been swimming this morning and I thought of you, too! 🙂
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Moving story! The name-calling by Karen made me sad. I teach 8th graders, and I enjoy how different my students are, despite how annoying disruptive kids can be.
The second part of the story seemed a little less clear in terms of why he was a hero, and raised (for me) the question of how dying equates heroism — I guess I would have liked both sections to be equally weighted in that regard.
Great story overall!
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Dear Vijaya,
Impulsive in my story has a double meaning. I believe that these guys who sacrifice their lives for others do so in a split second, in an impulse, if you will. No time to think, just do. (Yoda)
Again, there’s the challenge of a hundred words. 😉 I’m glad you liked the story overall. And if it raised questions…that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Thank you,
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A teacher should never say a pupil’s not going to amount to anything! It’s a hope killer. Good thing Eddie listened to himself. Sad but good ending.
Lily
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Dear Lily,
I once had a guidance counselor in HS tell me that…in essence. He told me I wasn’t college material and should either go to trade school or get married. Nice guy. I’d love to find him and tell him what I think.
Glad you liked my story.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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He should not be guiding anyone! 🙂
Lily
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Children (and siblings) can be so heartless! But I am sure by the end she regretted every word of it. Moving story, Rochelle.
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Dear Tiffany,
Having three sons, I’ve heard some of the cruel things they said to each other as children. One of the most gratifying times of my life was when my middle son, then an adult, apologized to his younger brother or all the mean things he did and said.
Perhaps Karen and Eddie had a moment like this.
Thank you for the read and comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I have five siblings – so I can certainly relate! I hope Karen and Eddie will have their reconciliation as you said.
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Touching story with great emotions weaved
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Thank you, Meena. 😀
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Touching story Rochelle and you are very good at writing them. This type of children are brimming with energy and if it is channeled to right direction does good to them and others.
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Dear Indira,
There are so many of these energetic kids. They challenge us when they’re children and often grow up to be exciting adults.
Thank you for coming by to read and comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow–this one is powerful! I didn’t see the ending coming, and I like the story you told in this small space.
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Dear Emily,
I’m glad you thought so. Thank you for reading and commenting. You made my day.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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One of my son’s classmates would have been this kid. Gone too soon, remembered as a wild child. So sad – so well written!
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Dear Erin,
I’m betting most of us knew a kid like this one. Hopefully they don’t all come to tragic ends.
Thank you for your thoughtful comments and sweet compliments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Very heartbreaking, but so well written!
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Thank you, Emilie. Nice of you to say so.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Heartbreaking story. So sad that it’s reality for thousands of families. Beautifully told.
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Thank you, Margaret. It’s always lovely to receive comments such as yours.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hello Rochelle, I haven’t seen you in Friday Fictioneers for quite some time and I got worried about you. Are you okay? I hope you are not ill.
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Dear Joy,
It’s kind of you to ask and nice of you to notice.. The fact is that two weeks ago my agent who has my first novel manuscript thinks she’s on the verge of selling it and wants the sequel ASAP. I’ve kind of put Friday Fictioneers on auto pilot while I complete the editing so I can send it to her in the next few days. At any rate, that’s why I’m a bit slow in getting to everyone’s stories.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Congratulations! That is wonderful Rochelle!
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Thank you, Joy, although I think congratulations is a bit premature. 😉
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Just having the possibility that it might be sold is grounds for a congratulations (in my opinion). 🙂
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Dear Electra ST,
I read this story right after it first came out, but didn’t comment because I hadn’t yet figured out who to address my remarks to. Believe it or not, I was rather a wallflower in school. Always trying to fly below the radar. I was more sneaky than disruptive.
Your story this week really hit the thumb on the nail with a giant hammer–and I mean that in the highest form of praise.
– Hal Bore
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Dear Hal
I take your comment as high praise. I was something of a wallflower myself. I did learn by my senior year to capitalize on my eccentricities. I’m remembered as a hippie freak. Can you imagine? It was amazing at our 40 year reunion how we’d all grown up and the clique boundaries vanished.
Have you become a captive you your own name game? 😉
Shalom,
Electra ST
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You know that we have an impulsive and disruptive one, who has much promise unfurling from within. Thank you. So well written with so few words.
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Dear Yis’raella,
I’m surprised and pleased to see you here. Your thoughts and comments warm my chilled morning.
Shalom, akhotee,
Rukhel
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Dear Rochelle
I do like this story. It reminds me of my sons when they were small and some of the times I had to go into another room, just for a moment…
It also reminds me that someone once said a similar thing about Winston Churchill, which only goes to show just how wrong you can be!
With all good wishes
Dee
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Dear Dee,
Nice to know that little Winston was a rowdy boy. Mine were, too, and have all grown to be noteworthy adults.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Heartbreaking, tender and beautiful…
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Dear Dawn,
Thank you for such a lovely comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow. So powerful.
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Thank you, Etienne. 😀
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Wonderful, Rochelle. This is the kind of stuff our heroes are made of. You found and expressed the heart of a warrior.
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Dear Eric,
I believe heroes would be impulsive. It’s the knee jerk impulse to do the right thing without thought to his own risk. I’m pleased you liked my story and came by to say so.
I’ve been slow to get around this week as my agent was asking for the sequel to my novel so I kind of have dropped most things to work on it. Happily it’s sent.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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