The next photo is the PHOTO PROMPT. What do you see and where do you see it? Think Thoreau.
PHOTO PROMPT- © Sandra Crook
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
LE RÉSEAU COMÈTE
“Patrick, spit that paper out.”
“But, I want to be a hero like you, Maman.”
“Where do you get such ideas?”
“I heard Papa say you’re a hero because you ate paper. Is that true?”
***
Nine years ago while riding her bicycle on the outskirts of Paris on a Resistance mission, Virginia d’Albert-Lake had been stopped and taken to a nearby police station.
“Where’s the list?” demanded the expressionless uniform.
“What list?”
“You ate it, didn’t you?”
Her scalp tingled and her gorge rose as she fought to keep down a swallowed lump of paper.
***
“Yes, it’s true.”
Women in the French Resistance
There’s more to the story:
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Great story. The brevity really works here, fitting in with the way your character carries out an act of spectacular heroism then went on with her ordinary life.
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Dear Etienne,
I was fascinated with her from first read. According to her son, she never saw herself as a hero. She said she did what any normal person would do.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Very intriguing, and after reading the article, without a doubt she was an Allied Heroine.
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Dear Francesca,
I’m glad you took the time to read the article. She was almost too “large” to squeeze into a flash fiction.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Excellent as ever.
And appropriate this week, following yesterday’s celebrations.
Vive La France!
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Dear CE,
They say timing is everything. However being a self-absorbed American I had no idea it was Bastille Day. 😉 Thank you for such lovely comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautiful story, beautifully and simply told. And thank you for including the link too. The tales of resistance heroism are re-enacted and re-told right through France, and there seems to be hardly a town without a memorial to the war dead. A timely reminder – well executed.
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Dear Sandra,
This was one of those stories that caught my attention and wouldn’t let go. Virginia was an amazing woman. It was hard to boil her down into a hundred words.
Your words warm me and make me smile.
Thank you for the beautiful photo and the kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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History is full of heroes. My grandmother was fourteen when she smuggled ammunition for the resistance. She had to pass a bridge checkpoint with German guards and she did it numerous times, hiding ammo at the bottom of the metal milk canister. I can’t imagine I would be able to do that, especially at that age. But, she was one tough cookie.
So, you can imagine how much I like your story. 🙂
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Dear Loré,
I often wonder what I would do if faced with certain situations. I believe the truth is that we don’t know what we’re capable of until the need arises. Your grandmother sounds like an amazing woman. I wonder if she knew Virginia.
Thank you for sharing your your own history and kind words for my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Looks like history could be a major flavor this week. Yours is a wonderful reminder of heroic resistance,
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Dear Indrajit,
If history is the major theme this week, this facilitator will be a happy camper. 😉
Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Those Germans: helpless without paper!
Good piece.
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Dear Mick,
Everyone knows that a job is never complete until the paperwork is done. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love it. Nice sense of place, and the dialog is great.
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Dear J Hardy,
Thank you for such a lovely comment. I’m glad you enjoyed my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This was a very nice story, as always, and yet, another chance to educate us…..again…as always. Love the links. She was quite a lady. So are you.
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Dear Jan,
Always happy to educate. I’m glad you read the link. There’s nothing like having your spouse in your corner.
Love,
Rochelle
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A fascinating story – what a brave woman! And beautifully written!
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Thank you for such a lovely compliment, Claire. It means a lot. As for Virginia, I read many articles before posting that one. She was amazing.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
You. You and your knack for teaching us and providing us with wonderful, true stories. How you managed to take that linked text and bring us into that world, in just 100 words…I’m in awe!
Dale
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Dear Dale,
This was one that I had a bit of a struggle with. There’s so much about Virginia d’Albert-Lake’s story that it was tough to distill it into a hundred words.
Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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True heroes come in all shapes and sizes. Wonderful story.
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Thank you, GAH. Glad you liked it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Excellent Rochelle! And, I really enjoyed reading and learning about Virginia! Thank you so much for giving us this info.
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Dear Joy,
I was totally captivated by the lady’s story. I’m always happy to share what I learn. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I think it is wonderful!
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Hmm. Kids can bring a smile so easily, mimicking without knowing the whole story. 🙂 But good on her! That list must have been very important.
The article is not opening at the moment, (net’s a tad slow I suppose), but will peruse it later. 🙂
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Dear Leo,
I hope you were able to open the article. If not you can do a Google search for Virginia d’Albert-Lake. The list had the names and addresses of fellow Resistance fighters. Very important indeed.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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There could be many heroes but heroines…so few. Excellent story! Rochelle. 🙂
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Dear Norma,
There are probably more heroines than we’re aware of. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s how heroine’s are….humble…never thinking what they did is heroic…for them it’s an everyday act. Beautiful story , expertly told as usual ,Rochelle.
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Dear Ansumani,
Humility, I think, is the mark of a true hero.
Thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A wonderful story, and a fascinating background article too!
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Dear Jan,
I’m so pleased that you enjoyed both my story and the article. There’s so much about her that’s tough to condense into a mere hundred words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautiful and I love the link.,..thank you!
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Thank you, Dawn. 😀
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Wonderful story! Love the way she admits to being a hero, humble almost a little uncomfortable at the thought.
Brilliantly written!
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Dear Cheryl,
I’m pleased that her humility came across. Her son said in an interview that his mother never saw herself as a hero. She just did what any normal person would do.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
In lieu of pressing madly on a button designating some emotion loftier than ‘like’, let me simply say that Geraldine would be proud of you. Keep at it. Dig deeper. Design the bookshelves. Dig the pool.
Your future’s already here and it’s bright.
Aloha,
Doug
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Dear Doug,
The thought of Geraldine being proud of me makes me smile until my mouth hurts. As for the future…I gotta wear shades. I’ll keep banging on my drum.
Thank you.
Kia Ora,
Rochelle
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So many people were unsung heroes, putting their own lives on the line to help others. A lovely story as a tribute to a brave lady.
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Dear Sally,
It shows that there are still good people in the world. They just don’t make the news as often.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
A brave lady and there were many. Yes I don’t think we know what we are capable of until placed in certain situations. The flash showed her bravery and her fear.
Cheers Irene
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Dear Irene,
This lady’s story totally captivated me.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Olive,
Ma’am, I say Ma’am, I just can’t wait to see you in your plaid skirt and jacket like the woman on the left in the B & W photo. You’ll certainly be the talk of Kansas City. I’m sure poor little Virginia was just making a spit-wad to throw at Hitler. No harm there.
– Foghorn Leghorn
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Dear Foghorn,
I think I’ll pass on the plaid. Big prints tend to make me look shorter, if that’s possible. 😉 Alas, a spit wad wouldn’t have done Virginia much good.
Thank you for dropping by.
Shalom,
Olive
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I saw your comment above that she said she’d done what any normal person would have done – but history tells us that’s not true. There are many heroes, but there are also many bystanders. I don’t think we can know which we’d be until the time comes.
Love the story and the framing with the son. And the link, which I very much enjoyed reading.
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Dear Jennifer,
I always appreciate your comments. I can’t imagine what I’d do in Virginia’s situation. What an extraordinary woman. I’m pleased that you enjoyed my story and took the time to read the article.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yes, the amount of hard-work and sacrifices heroes make…
Hats off to heroes!
Patriotic story.
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Dear Anita,
Virginia certainly made a lot of sacrifices, didn’t she?
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Loved the story Rochelle and the history. Be well… ^..^
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Dear Barb,
I’m pleased that you took the time to read and comment. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks for this snippet of history. You’re right, you and I chose similar paths today. Cheers.
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Dear Alicia,
GMTA. Great minds think alike. 😉
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Nice – not so much the eating of the paper, but the reason behind it.
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Dear Ali,
Quick thinking on her part. The Gestapo had already taken the list of Resistance fighters from her and then gave it back. She ate it on the way to the office.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hola Rochelle,
I’m pleased to be feeling up to writing again after my back surgery 2 weeks ago. I’m able to sit for short periods. Immediately, my first thoughts were “Get back to writing”.
I enjoyed the story you wrote very much. I appreciate you’re adding the link to ‘An American Heroine’.
Adios,
Isadora
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Querida Isadora,
I’m glad to see you back and that your back is better. I’m also pleased that you liked my story and took the time to say so.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow, terrific. And yes, she was a hero!
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Thank you, Solo. She was a hero indeed.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank God for the heroes who fought the good fight and won.
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Amen, Phyllis.
Thank you and shalom,
Rochelle
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Ordinary people can do extraordinary things given the opportunity. Thank you for sharing Virginia’s story.
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Dear Tracey,
Stories like Virginia’s never cease to amaze me and cause me to question what I would do in her situation.
Thank you for reading and taking the time to comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love that she didn’t even lie when faced with the question. Amazing – history and its heroes are though, aren’t they. Thank you for sharing.
Be well Rochelle, I’m sorry you aren’t feeling well.
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Dear Yolanda,
I’m pleased that you liked my story. According to Virginia’s own diary, she told the truth when she felt it safe and other times she lied.
I’m feeling fine…I’m not sure where you got the idea otherwise.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What an amazing person you captured here in 100 words. She sounds like a remarkable lady who took a lot risks. Thanks for sharing this history and the article. Beautiful story, Rochelle.
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Dear Amy,
Virginia was a tough person to distill down to a hundred words. She does sound remarkable. .
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Better a little ink than a little led in the belly. Now to smile innocently while keeping it down.
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Nice story of real heroism. Interesting article through the link too 🙂
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Thank you, KT. Nice of you to take the time to read and comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Another well-written and interesting story, Rochelle. Thanks for the link. She was a very brave woman. Exceptional. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
Virginia’s one of the most fascinating characters I’ve come across. I love where the Google trail often takes me. 😉
Thank you for your kind words re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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We know an old lady called Odette (not that one, obviously!) who foollowed her lover to France. When the Gestapo tortured him to death she escaped over the mountians with a guide. After te war the guide tracked her down and married her. If she didn’t live in Argentina and wasn’t far too deaf for long phone conversations, I’d be writing her life story now 😦
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Dear Liz,
I’ll bet her story is one for the history books, too. I’m sure there are lots of stories of heroism we’ll never hear.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yes! Perfection! Your story has motivated me to join the fun.
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Dear Stephonie,
I did a happy dance to see you back in the fold.
Perfection? You’re way too kind, but I’ll take it. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
You did a great job distilling this one. I thoroughly enjoyed the final product.
Peace,
Marie Gail
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Dear Marie Gail,
The dmmuse showed up at just the right time. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Fascinating and so powerful!
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Thank you, Emilie. Glad you liked it. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story! Heroism comes in many forms!
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Dear Madilyn,
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. Glad you liked it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great job with the dialogue and good talking about the French Resistance. I was just reading another blog/chapter in Longreads from =Sarah Helm | Ravensbrück: Life and Death in Hitler’s Concentration Camp for Women | Nan A. Talese. I don’t know if you’ve read it but Longreads has the chapter ” Ravensbruck” from the book. Excellent writing. I’m going to get the book.
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Dear Susan,
I haven’t read the book. It sounds interesting. I’ve read quite a bit about the camps, though and am quite familiar with Ravensbrück. Horrible place, but weren’t they all.
Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I would like to apologise for the almost total lack of visits to other stories this week.
Last week I inadvertently threw my laptop across a hotel room in Aix-en-Provence.
While it still, somewhat surprisingly, functions, the screen now has an interesting appearance.
It displays, even to my colour-blind eyes, varying delightful shades of purple.
More your taste than mine, dear lady!
This is more conducive to inspiring severe eye strain and headaches than appreciation of writing excellence.
I hope to resume normal (?) service ASAP.
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Dear CE,
I hope things are back to normal for you soon, my dear friend. Eye strain and headaches aren’t fun, no matter how delightful the colors. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s a great story especially since it’s based on a true incident. Fascinating link indeed, so many unsung heroes played their part to liberate the future generations from the evil that existed.
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Dear Subroto,
Virginia’s story was one that wouldn’t let me go this week. I’m glad it rang true and clear for you.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Excellent story, Rochelle! I love learning about these snippets of history through your colorful and dramatic stories. Good dialogue.
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Fascinating history, and an engaging story. Thanks for the link – interesting and inspiring. Marg
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