The following photo is the PHOTO PROMPT, a cool picture for hot days, depending on your side of the globe. Where does it take you? Tell us in a hundred words or less.
I’m doing it again. Taking a story out of mothballs and republishing it for Friday Fictioneers with a new photo prompt. It’s proving to be a crazy-busy summer and my muse is giving me the silent treatment. A few of you might remember this one from 2013.
Genre: Literary Fiction
Word Count: 100
ORDINARY GIRL
The surgeon told her she’d never walk again.
Not long after that, Grandpa Farthing came for a visit. “How’s my favorite cyclist?”
“Crippled.”
“Pity-party? Here, celebrate with this.” He tossed a book into her lap. “I enjoyed it as a boy.”
“‘Around the World on a Bicycle’?”
“By Thomas Stevens. Rode it on a big-wheeled contraption called a Penny Farthing.”
“You’re joking.”
“Nope.”
Two years later, inspired by Stevens’ determination, she labored to prove the doctors wrong and registered for her first Penny Farthing race.
The official stared at her signature. “You’re joking.”
“Nope, Miss Penelope Farthing at your service.”
You can find more about Thomas Stevens who rode what was then known as an Ordinary Bicycle by clicking here . For more in depth reading the book is available on Amazon.com.
The ordinary bicycle was nicknamed “Penny Farthing” for its shape:
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Nominative determinism or what?
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That’s one way to put it, Neil. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Inspirational and educational! What a fun story. Love it.
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Dear Anne,
I’m glad you enjoyed and took the time to say so. This is what I love about Friday Fictioneers—interaction! Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Determination can be a powerful tool. It was fascinating to read about Thomas Stevens,
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Dear Michael,
Can you imagine traveling the world on one of those contraptions? I’m not sure I’d make it around the block. 😉 Thank you for the read and the comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Don’t fret about republishing. We enjoy the repeats and reminders 😊
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Thank you for your encouraging words, Sheena. Glad you enjoyed. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Neat coincidence of wordplay always works Well. Did she ever get a chance to visit Batman?
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Dear Larry,
Who can resist a good play on words. Not I. 😉 Thank you for riding by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I used to be an avid cyclist, but I don’t know if you could ever get me on one of those things… Looks dangerous! I like the story – she was destined to ride, injuries or not…
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Dear Trent,
I always love the human interest stories on the news about those who triumph over disabilities or other obstacles. As for me, you’ll never find me trying to mount one of those contraptions. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Her Grandpa knew exactly what he was doing, didn’t he? Loved it!
Shalom,
Dora
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Dear Dora,
She was fortunate to have a grandfather who refused to let her give up. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
This was truly inspiring story. I admire this woman’s courage and determination and we can all do with people like Thomas Stevens and Grandpa Farthing in our lives.
Shalom,
Adele
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Dear Adele,
Although my story is pure fiction, there are so many true ones out there of people who triumph over crippling obstacles. They give us hope, don’t they? Thank you for your lovely comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re welcome, Rochelle. This read like a true story. I loved it and was greatly inspired by it. Yes, there are so many heroes and heroines out there who give us hope and the courage to achieve the impossible.
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There really is no-one who does this genre better than you….definitely…
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Thank you for such a generous comment, Ain. You made my day.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love stories of victory over supposedly insurmountable odds. But this thing…..I don’t know how they ride it. I mean, how do they get on and off? Strange, but great story
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Dear Jan,
There are so many of these kinds of stories in the news…well, maybe not enough. 😉 They do give us hope, don’t they? As for the ordinary bike—it’s doesn’t look so ordinary to me. Thank you, m’luv.
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My parents used to have a model Penny farthing made with the coins – I can’t imagine being able to ride a real one though! Enjoy your break.
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Dear Jen,
Besides being afraid of heights, I’m short and can’t imagine trying to ride a Penny Farthing. Nothing ordinary about it in my humble opinion. 😉 Thanks for riding by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A delightful story Rochelle. Here we have several gentlemen who ride their penny-farthings along the seafront – I saw one about half an hour ago!
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Dear Keith,
I salute those riders. I guess there’s an activity for everyone. 😉 Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a fun history lesson on the olf farthing. Well done, Rochelle.
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Thank you, Mason. You’re very kind.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re welcome.
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I wasn’t around in 2013, so it’s brand new to me. I’m glad you brought it back. I enjoyed your story.
I’ve never heard them referred to as “penny-farthings,” but I’ve always wanted to ride one of those bicycles or at least see someone mount one. How do they get way up there?
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Dear Nobbin,
How do they get up there? Your guess is as good as mine. A stepladder perhaps? It’s not something I’ll ever find out personally. 😉 Thank you for your encouraging words re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle
Inspiring. Warm. And with a nice reveal to conclude. A most agreeable read!
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Thank you so much for your generous comments, Penny. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I very much enjoyed your story. I also loved watching the video. Never had a clue these bikes were still being ridden, and around the world no less! I want to know how they get up onto them and back off.
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Dear Lisa,
The burning question this week is how do they get up on them. No clue here. It’s amazing to me that so many people do. And to ride around the world on one? Inconceivable. Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, I was talking with one of my sons about those bikes on our walk earlier this week and we wondered the same thing. You are very welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Oh, I love it! Did I ever mention my own attempt at riding a Penny-Farthing bicycle??? It was hilarious. only my toes reached the pedal at it’s peak, forget the down stroke. Needless to say, I didn’t get far without a hefty push. Still, it was fun to give it a try. Very hard to balance one.
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Dear Bear,
I can’t see myself ever trying to ride one of those contraptions. My hat’s off to you, my dear. 😀 Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well, you know how I am… I’m game to try about anything once. The construction of this bike was really fascinating to watch and I do feel it was a privilege to be one of the first to ride it. I don’t know how ladies of the era ever managed. Shabbot Shalom, Bear
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Hi Rochelle,
We have a regular Penny Farthing rider here. Apparently he and his friend rebuilt it.
My effort is very short and sweet this week. I wrote it, and thought it didn’t need anything else! Hope it’s OK.
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Dear Di,
Then you must know how one mounts the crazy thing. At least you didn’t go over the word limit.
Shalom,
Rochelle.
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Haha! I think brackets and wire may be useful tools Rochelle. Have a good weekend.
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Neat story to fit the photo!
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Thank you, Liz.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Inspirational and uplifting stories like these can’t be read often enough. 🙂
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Dear Gabi,
Thank you for your encouraging words. I always wonder when I share a rerun. But there are weeks the muse refuses to speak to me. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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With a name like that, how could she not?
Grandpa knew what she needed.
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Dear Ali,
It did seem her fate was sealed, didn’t it? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great tale of inspiration. I never understood how anyone could ride such a contraption, sitting high up on a large wheel and steering the little wheel. It just doesn’t look right.
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Dear James,
You won’t catch me on one either. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Educative, informative, and inspirational_ all at the same time. No wonder your stories stand out, dear Rochelle
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Many thanks for such a lovely comment, Neel.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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HI Rochelle, just getting on one of those things was a challenge, I can’t imagine riding any distance on one but then, times were different then.
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Dear Michael,
With my fear of heights, it’s doubtful I would ever try to ride one of those contraptions. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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They are high. The wobble would do for me. I’d probably have to keep pedalling for fear of falling if I stopped or went too slow.
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Inspiring story about Ms Penny Farthing. The video clip of Penny Farthing riders is extraordinary – those machines defy gravity, I think. I always wonder how you get on and off them !
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Dear Francine,
That’s the burning question of the week–how does one get on and off of a Penny Farthing? Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A fabulous repeat! And what a fabulous name!
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Many thanks, Laurie.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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