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The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
PHOTO PROMPT © Jean L. Hays
Between finishing a novel, writing a book proposal and visiting my one and only brother, I’ll be somewhat out of pocket for the the next couple of weeks. Therefore it’s SUMMER RERUN TIME. For those of you who recognize this prompt from 2013 and were part of Friday Fictioneers, feel free to reprise your own story.
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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
KIA ORA
In March 1956, the year I turned fourteen, my best friend was murdered. They found her mangled body wedged in a rock crevice at Koutu Point.
For days I refused to get out of bed. No amount of Mum’s tea and sympathy could ease my broken heart or stem my anger.
The winter wind off the Tasman Sea brought waves of loneliness.
Never again will Opo and I swim together in Hokianga Harbour, but whenever I watch a dolphin spin above the water in gleeful abandon, I see her.
I hope the fisherman who blew up my Opo exploded, too.
Original artwork.
Copyright -Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Such a tragic end to a beautiful creature whose presence gave so much fun and pleasure for many people. I suspect if the dolphins did not live in the sea they may be as close to humans as dogs are today.
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Dear James,
I’ve never met a dolphin in the flesh but would dearly love to swim with one. I think you’re right. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I wonder if dolphins can experience vindictiveness. Perhaps they’re better than us
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Dear Neil,
Who knows what lurks in the heart of a dolphin? But I’ve never heard of one attacking.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I found it was a bit of a twist when I learned it was a Dolphin, Rochelle. A lovely story of a girl and her swimming friend. —- Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
Thus making the point that Opo was more than just a dolphin to the girl. She was her friend. Thank you for swimming along. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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They blew up dolphins?
How utterly barbaric.
Powerful tale, m’lady.
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Dear CE,
When dolphins got in the way of progress…barbaric indeed. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hey Rochelle,
I hope you enjoy your out of pocket experiences and have wonderful sibling encounter.
I went back and forth between the photo and your story several times. Four of my grandchildren are fourteen and observing how each one sees the world and life makes me reflect a bit on the Thoreau quotation above.
Your story ends with a line reminding me of my human condition and how it’s all connected to a universe that is brutally unfair.
Peace,
Bill
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Dear Bill,
I am definitely looking forward to some sibling revelry. 😀 At the same time I’m nearly finished with my MS and preparing to shoot it out to beta readers.
I’m glad you spent some time reflecting on the Thoreau quote…it became our FF “mantra” quite a few years back. It fits, I think.
Thank you for your comments and observations.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, Rochelle. Good luck with your next steps.
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Dear Rochelle,
First her friend, now “her” dolphin. What is wrong with this world? Beautifully done, however and fabulous drawing!
Shalom and lotsa swimmingly lovely hugs,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
Actually her friend and her dolphin are one and the same. Sorry if I wasn’t clear on that. At any rate, thank you re the story and the sketch.
Shalom and lotsa diving love,
Rochelle
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Duh! I reread. Toopid me…
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A touching story that has a twist at the end that was not expected. Dolphins are very intelligent and fun loving. I have watched them crisscrossing in front of the bow of a ship throughout the World.
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Dear Jan,
I envy you that. I’d love to ‘meet’ a dolphin in person. Perhaps join one for a swim. 😉 Thanks m’luv.
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Very nicely written. That her friend was a dolphin caught me by surprise. And an interesting story behind the story.
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Dear Trent,
The story of Opo is a tragedy. Such a senseless slaughter for the sake of convenience. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow, that was a powerful story, Rochelle!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thank you, Susan. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle. Enjoy your next few weeks.
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Thank you, Trish. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So nice to read a NZ story. There are still some such barbarians killing whales. A heart-breaking story, Rochelle. Loved it!
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Dear Joy,
This true story broke my heart and I had to write about it. Thank you.
Kia Ora and Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ah humans, when we’re not busy killing each other, there’s plenty of other creatures out there… such a shame that anyone could do this to these beautiful, gentle creatures.
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Dear Iain,
We humans are wasteful creatures, aren’t we? Although I’d like to think we aren’t all a lost cause. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hi Rochelle, so glad you’re still here and still doing this week in week out! I managed a little story today. woohoo!
Yours has a heart-stopping opening, and I enjoyed the childish vindictiveness of the last line.
Hope you are soon able to swim safely,
Jen
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Dear Jen,
Our pool opened 1 June so I’m back into the regular swim of things. 😉 I’m so pleased to see you back in this corner. Yep, I’m still at it. No immediate plans to stop. Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This is a very sweet, albeit sad, story. To some people, animals are indeed friends and their loss is very painful. Beautifully written too.
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Dear Gabriella,
This one made me so sad when I first read about Opo. Thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A poignant piece indeed Rochelle and a prompt well-deserving of a second outing.
Here’s mine!
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Thank you so much, Keith. Your comments mean a lot.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Kia ora. Such a lovely story. I like to think her friend may still be playing in other oceans.
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Dear Anne,
Her friend would be had it not been for selfish humans. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oddly I don’t remember this one. I say oddly because it really is quite heartbreaking.
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Dear Sandra,
It’s been 7 years. Sometimes I can’t recall what happened 7 days ago. Thank you. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you for this re-run! What a sad story, and what a heartbreaking reality. I hadn’t swam with dolphins myself, but I know someone who had, literally in the middle of the ocean – she jumped off of the sailboat she was on and joined them. She said she did not know what came over her, but I can totally understand. The dolphins dispersed, then came close to her, nosed her, dove under her and lifted her (the way a mamma would a babe to breathe), then circled around and gave her a show, clicking all the way. Two minutes and they were gone, yet she says she was transformed forever. Thank you for reminding me of this story!
Left mine with the linky. A variation of a different kind …
Na’ama
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Na’ama Y’karah,
What an amazing experience that would be. Something I would love to do some day. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I can totally understand how you would!!! 🙂 Half-dolphin and all …
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I’ve been so accused. 😉 And I’ll be happy to own up to it. Slosh!
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Splash! 🙂
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🧜♀️
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That’s why the dolphins left.
Killing her and eating her would be bad enough blowing her up and leaving her… That’s why we can’t have nice things. We’re still barbarians.
Congratulations on finishing your book. Best of luck with the next steps, and have a wonderful visit with your brother.
So long, and thanks for all the fish.
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Dear Nobbin,
We are barbarians, although I’d like to think some have risen above. Thank you for your kind words. Finished my manuscript this morning and shot it out to my beta readers.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ah! The cruelties of despicable man! Well done, dear Rochelle.
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Thank you so much, Neel.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, this is a lovely story. I love dolphins.
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Thank you, Linda.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Humans are not worthy of the gift of life and living amongst the other creations. They have no appreciation for the intricate, delicate web. Sorry for being harsh, but when I know these things happen all of the time it gets to me.
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Dear Lisa,
No need to apologize. The story horrified me and I wanted it to be an in-your-face kind of piece. Of course the girl is fiction, but the senseless waste of Opo’s life is not. Sheesh…using explosives to fish? Yeah, I kind of hope the man at least blew his fingers off. Guess I’ll stop now and say thank you for reading. The fact that it evoked such emotion is a high compliment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, your thoughtful comment is much appreciated. You are very welcome. I look forward to your stories each week.
Shalom,
Lisa
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killing for food i can understand but killing just for the sake of killing can never be justified. sad story.
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Dear Plaridel,
You’ll get no argument from me. My husband is a deer hunter. He gets at least one every year and it’s been a blessing to have the meat. At the same time he appreciates nature and the animal kingdom. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle,
It’s despicable what humans to the earth’s creatures on a daily basis. This classic piece provides us with the heart wrenching perspective of all the lives that get lost in the name of commerce.
Shalom,
Marco
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Dear Marco,
I can only agree with you. Well said. Thank you re my story. I’m always happy when you make it to Purple Corners. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Buena suerte in your current endeavors lovely.
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Querida Rochelle,
Que triste … I did swim with a dolphin on a tour hubby and I took.
He encountered one while fishing in a shallow area with his friend.
He threw a fish, that was too small to keep at the dolphin. He came by him, splashed him with water, and off he went. A ‘Thank You’ Dolphin style.
They’re very playful gentle giants. Although your story is sad,
it brought back memories for me of a fun day I had. Thank you.
Good story with a sad ending. ~~~ : – (
Have a fun visit with your brother. It’s always a joy to visit family.
Good Luck with your writing commitments. Be sure to play while your away.
Abrazos y Carino,
Isadora 😎
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Querida Isadora,
Ooh, I’m officially jealous. 😉 I still hold out hope of swimming with one of those gentle giants
Gracias para sus palabras amables entre mi cuenta.
Shalom y abrazos,
Rochelle
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Querida Rochelle,
Considering your love of swimming you’d love being in the water with the dolphins.
Bucket list item, for sure.
Abrazos y Carino,
Isadora 😎
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Ouch this one hurts. Why can’t they leave these majestic animals alone? It bothers me to the extreme, dolphins are keenly intelligent and probably understand barbarity…
Well done R!
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Dear Tanille,
The floating question Why. Wish I knew the answer. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dolphins are gentle but can be dangerous when required. They are rumoured to have attacked sharks in defence. But never just for ‘fun’. They are also rumoured to have protected other animals and people from shark attacks. I wonder why she was blown up? Interfering in fishing perhaps? Humans always take the easy and greedy way out. At least sharks eat what they kill. Most of the time anyway. Hope you enjoy your flash fiction break and all the best wishes for your writing work!
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Dear Fatima,
In that era explosives were used to scare up the fish. Sadly Opo got in the way it seems. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A sad tale, I hope the final line came true.
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Dear Ali,
I’m with you. Thank you for swimming by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Believe it or not it took me several re readings to allow the fact that her friend was a dolphin to sink in. I’ve never been able to understand how people can be so attached to mere animals but it’s sad that she took it so hard
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Dear Larry,
Animals aren’t so “mere” in my eyes. I do understand the attachment. Thank you for taking the time to read.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That is a good rerun. Maybe now is a good time to end aquariums and marine mammal theme parks around the world and enjoy these lovely mammals in the wild.
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Dear Subroto,
What a novel idea. I wonder if we’ve gone too far for that. Thank you for coming by for a reread. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
What a heartbreaking story. Dolphins are such beautiful creatures. Humans really have a lot to answer for.
Shalom,
Adele
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Dear Adele,
I agree. I still want to swim with a dolphin some day. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sad story Rochelle. And although this was a rerun for you and many others, it was new to me. Many thanks for this fun and engaging exercise each week. Enjoy your sibling visit.
Shelley
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Dear Shelley,
One of the things I’m counting on is the turnover in our writers in FF. A handful have been with it since the beginning (before I joined) but to many my older stories are brand new. 😉 Thank you for participating and for a lovely comment. So looking forward to seeing my brother this Wednesday. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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How desperately sad, Rochelle. I hope the fisherman got his ust deserts.
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Dear Liz,
As long ago as this took place, I doubt the fisherman is still among us. 😉 Thank you
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I can like it. I think you are right
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Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So sad. I haven’t read any other posts yet but I wonder how many of us wrote about dolphins being the spirits of loved ones?
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Dear Genia,
A very sad story. Opo was a good friend to a lot of children in the day. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So sad this one. Such a deep friendship, make the loss so much harder
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Dear Laurie,
Friends don’t have to be human for us to mourn their loss, do they? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh so true!
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Yeah, I hope they blow up too!
Shalom,
Ronda
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Dear Ronda,
We can agree on that. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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