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A MOTHER’S GIFT

March 25, 2018 07:29

This week Pegman takes us to Yellowstone National Park in the US. You’ll find both streetview and photo spheres to inspire you. Choose any place within Yellowstone and write 150 words inspired by it. Once your piece is polished, you can share it with others at the link up below:

Many thanks to our tropical travelers Karen and Josh for hosting this challenge. 

There were so many gorgeous photos to choose from.

This week I took an old tale out of storage. It was one of my first Friday Fictioneers stories in 2012 (when I was still just one of the gang) and, to this day, is one of my favorites. Fifty extra words afforded me the opportunity to flesh it out a bit. 

Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 150

A MOTHER’S GIFT

            “Walk with me now.” Wind Woman squeezed her daughter’s hand. “It’s time you meet your mother.”

            Red Fawn burned with impatience. Any other time she would love to listen to Wind Woman’s many stories. They had given Red Fawn’s childhood life and song.

            Today she thought only of her warrior’s raven-black hair and bronzed arms encircling her. Of all the maidens in her clan, he’d chosen her.

            Following behind Wind Woman, Red Fawn pouted. “You’re my mother.”  

            “You must know your birth tribe. Your children must know.”

             At the top of the hill the older woman pointed to two burial mounds. “When we found them, he was dead. She laid you in my arms. Then she died.”

            Wind Woman’s dark eyes brimmed. She pressed her palms against Red Fawn’s cheeks. “Hair like fire. Eyes like sky. The Great Spirit gave you to me. Tomorrow I give you to Iron Wolf.”

 

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Posted by rochellewisoff

Categories: Historical Fiction, Life's Ephemeral Nature, Love and more love, Make Every Word Count

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36 Responses to “A MOTHER’S GIFT”

  1. Wow. I got goosebumps from the very first line. There is something very special in this one. I can see why it’s a favorite! I want 80,000 more words.

    Liked by 1 person

    By k rawson on March 25, 2018 at 07:40

    1. I’ve not given up on the idea of making this one something longer, Karen. Glad you liked it. Thank you.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Liked by 1 person

      By rochellewisoff on March 25, 2018 at 07:41

  2. I really love this picture and story. It’s one of my favorites. I knew back then that you had a gift that needed to be shared. You can’t read this one and not feel emotions rising up. Good job Lady wordsmith.

    Liked by 1 person

    By janfields on March 25, 2018 at 07:48

    1. Dear Jan,

      Thanks to you and your support I have a mammoth notebook full of flash fictions. Thanks, m’luv.

      Like

      By rochellewisoff on March 25, 2018 at 12:51

  3. Dear Rochelle,

    I have to agree with Karen. I want more! Why is it all things native feel spiritual and wise and real (as in, authentic)? Such a beautiful story.

    Lotsa love,

    Dale

    Liked by 1 person

    By Dale on March 25, 2018 at 08:34

    1. Dear Dale,

      There is something about aboriginal wisdom and spirituality isn’t there? Thank you, my friend.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Liked by 1 person

      By rochellewisoff on March 25, 2018 at 12:54

      1. I have to agree…

        Like

        By Dale on March 25, 2018 at 13:41

  4. Oh, Rochelle, that’s lovely! There’s so much love and acceptance. And yet what a heritage for Red Fawn. It would have been Iron Wolf’s generation who killed Red Fawn’s parents, I would imagine. I wonder how that will play out in years to come…

    Liked by 1 person

    By pennygadd51 on March 25, 2018 at 09:15

    1. Dear Penny,

      Actually it would’ve been Wind Woman’s generation who killed Red Fawn’s parents. I think Iron Eagle is closer to her age. Glad you enjoyed my story. Thank you.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Like

      By rochellewisoff on March 25, 2018 at 12:55

      1. Yes, of course. I’d meant to say his parents generation but my finger stuttered!

        Liked by 1 person

        By pennygadd51 on March 25, 2018 at 13:50

        1. Dontcha hate it when your finger stutters? 😉

          Liked by 1 person

          By rochellewisoff on March 25, 2018 at 16:10

  5. Now she has two new families

    Liked by 1 person

    By larry trasciatti on March 25, 2018 at 13:06

    1. Indeed. Thanks for reading, Larry.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Liked by 1 person

      By rochellewisoff on March 25, 2018 at 16:11

  6. Rochelle, this is just beautiful! No wonder it’s one of your favorites! (Shoot I can’t even remember half of mine.)

    Liked by 1 person

    By Alicia Jamtaas on March 25, 2018 at 14:17

    1. Dear Lish,

      There are some of my stories I don’t remember writing over the past six years. 😉 Thank you.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Liked by 1 person

      By rochellewisoff on March 25, 2018 at 16:13

  7. this is so touching, inspirational…the photos & words brings a great vision!!

    Liked by 1 person

    By mihrank on March 25, 2018 at 14:57

    1. Thank you so much, Mihrank. 😀

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Liked by 1 person

      By rochellewisoff on March 25, 2018 at 16:13

  8. Toda Raba & Shabbat Shalom!!

    Liked by 1 person

    By mihrank on March 25, 2018 at 17:38

  9. A very beautiful story. Great job.

    Liked by 1 person

    By lisarey1990 on March 25, 2018 at 21:39

    1. Thank you very much, Lisa. 😀

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Liked by 1 person

      By rochellewisoff on March 26, 2018 at 05:15

  10. Wonderful story- all of a piece, the voices are direct, the message timeless.

    Liked by 1 person

    By Woman walking Max on March 26, 2018 at 02:52

    1. Dear Francine,

      I’m so glad you enjoyed my story. Thank you (and Max) for coming by. 😀

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Like

      By rochellewisoff on March 26, 2018 at 05:16

  11. That bond between them is so moving, that love of Wind Woman for her adoptive child comes through so clearly, so desperately. She loves her, needs to let her go, yet it breaks her heart to do so, knowing all this budding woman will have to face through marriage and parenthood. Beautiful Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    By Lynn Love on March 26, 2018 at 03:31

    1. Dear Lynn,

      Universal motherhood. Thank you so much for your lovely and affirming comment.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Liked by 1 person

      By rochellewisoff on March 26, 2018 at 05:18

      1. My pleasure Rochelle

        Like

        By Lynn Love on March 27, 2018 at 02:01

  12. I always read the comments to give me another perspective on the story that I may not have understood.. and am always so glad I did… this one was no exception, as your replies fleshed out the story and answered the questions I wanted to ask…it is the sort of story that you want to know more about everyone in it.. so vivid – clever old you…

    Liked by 1 person

    By valeriedavies on March 26, 2018 at 22:48

    1. Dearest Valerie,

      It’s always a delight to see you on my purple page. Thank you for such a lovely comment.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Like

      By rochellewisoff on March 27, 2018 at 12:24

  13. Learning her heritage as she embarks on her new life with Iron Wolf, the generations march on.

    Liked by 1 person

    By draliman on March 27, 2018 at 02:20

    1. Dear Ali,

      Oh the stories Wind Woman will have to tell her grandchildren. Although there was no DNA testing back then, I’m pretty sure Red Fawn knew she wasn’t a blood relation. 😉 Thank you

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Liked by 1 person

      By rochellewisoff on March 27, 2018 at 12:25

  14. There is such warmth and passion in here, Rochelle. Such love and longing. You capture the spirit of America’s indigence people perfectly.

    Liked by 1 person

    By Kelvin M. Knight's blog on March 27, 2018 at 03:46

    1. Dear Kelvin,

      A mother’s love is universal, isn’t it? I’ve always been fascinated with First Nations people. Glad my intents and purposes shone through. Thank you.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Liked by 1 person

      By rochellewisoff on March 27, 2018 at 12:27

      1. You’re welcome, Rochelle. Happy Easter 🐣

        Like

        By Kelvin M. Knight's blog on March 31, 2018 at 07:14

  15. I love this piece. You write the native dialogue particularly well. It tinges the writing with a sad nostalgia. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    By J Hardy Carroll on March 27, 2018 at 11:34

    1. Dear Josh,

      This is one of those stories.First Nations people fascinate me. I think this one might have to grow longer. Thank you for such a wonderful comment/compliment.
      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Like

      By rochellewisoff on March 27, 2018 at 12:29

  16. Left me itching to know more!

    Liked by 1 person

    By Dahlia on March 27, 2018 at 20:39

    1. Dear Dahlia,

      Perhaps, one of these days, I’ll write more. 😀 Thank you.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Liked by 1 person

      By rochellewisoff on March 27, 2018 at 20:49

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