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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.
Genre: Fanciful Fiction
Word Count: 100
WHEEL OF MISFORTUNE
Gretta gazed at the mountain of wool beside her spinning wheel. How she longed to be outside with her friend Heinrich to watch the sheep and play with the newborn lambs.
“I would gladly trade my baby brother for some magic help.”
She yawned. The whir of the wheel lulled her.
“I’m here to spin this wool into yarn for you, little girl.”
Gretta rubbed her eyes and gasped to see a dwarf with pointed ears. “Yes!”
He laughed. “Your brother’s mine.”
Mama shook her. “Wake up and get back to work!”
Gretta sighed. “Where’s Rumpelstiltskin when I need him?”
If you’re unfamiliar with Rumpelstiltskin CLICK HERE.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
I think she was lucky that it was just a dream.
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Dear Sadje,
She might not think so at the moment. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yes, she may wish for something different at this moment.
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I’m glad it was just a dream, even if it means she has to carry on with her work for a while longer! Although I’m sure many older siblings can sympathise with her dream 😉
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Dear Iain,
I know my brother would’ve been happy to have me carried off by an elf. 😉 We’re the best of friends now. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story adaptation. The original fairy tale makes wonder how much you might sacrifice for your own life.
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Dear James,
Fortunately neither the miller’s daughter, nor Gretta had to sacrifice a baby. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
If only we could use the parts of the fairy tales that benefit us! Mama is a tough taskmaster!
Shalom and lotsa spinning love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
I might have softened Mama had I had more words. 😉 Ah sibling rivalry. Fortunately we grow up and become friends. At least that’s the hope. Thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom and lotsa unbelievable hugs,
Rochelle
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I hear ya. Depending on the times, there was no time for other than gruff 😉
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Wool into yarn? You just can’t get the wool-into-gold imps any more
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Dear Neil,
Gretta’s needs were simpler than those of the miller’s daughter. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The little boy is safe 🙂
Imagine having to really part with brother!
We truly need to be careful about our thoughts.
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Dear Anita,
The saying does go “Be careful what you wish for.” Although this is a simple case of jealousy of the new baby. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Childish whim never understand the truth behind the story. I was unfamiliar with original piece of story. Good share
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Dear Vartika,
It’s not unusual for an older sibling to be jealous of a new baby. They do demand a lot of attention. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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lol, yep, kids can think that way about their siblings. And kids never think of the long term implications of those fantasies… I think best that reality intruded here.
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Dear Trent,
True. Children don’t consider the long range implications. Gretta will be glad one day it was only a dream. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Phew, lucky for the baby!
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Lucky indeed, Trish. Thank you. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I am glad her mother woke her up in time.
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Dear Frank,
Me too. Thanks for the read and the comment. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Loved it. A retelling of a classic tale.
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Dear Chioma,
Glad you enjoyed. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Man what a let down to have it only be a dream. I enjoyed this.
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Dear Andrea,
I think in the long run she’ll be happy it was only a dream. 😉 Thank you. Glad you enjoyed. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re likely right. 😆
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It seemed real if only for a moment or two. A delightful take on a wonderful tale.
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Dear Keith,
Rumpelstiltskin was a favorite fairytale of mine. It was fun to put a different spin on it. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow. Very skillfully done–you had me believing it for a minute there 🙂
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Dear Linda,
No doubt every older sibling has had similar thoughts. Come to think of it, a younger one, too. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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As both I younger and an older, I can vouch for that!
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Necessity is the author of fairy tales (if only children were the ones who wrote fairy tales!) Fun story, Rochelle 🙂
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It was good to be reminded about Rumpelstil
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Dear Lisa,
I wonder how fairy tales would play out if children wrote them. 😉 Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, I’m guessing there would be lots of ice cream 🙂 You’re welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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This story felt so life like. Am glad it was just a dream. Lovely story.
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Dear Neel,
I think Gretta will make peace with her baby brother. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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My contribution:
http://gypsieswritingmusingsquotesgripes.com/2022/07/06/the-spinning-wheel/
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Dear Ami,
I’ve added your link to the inLinks. https://fresh.inlinkz.com/party/bc859d98950840f388d30d6689da3422 You’ll get more reads there than in my comment section.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Although she has my sympathies, Greta may do better to keep that only to a dream … (unlike my heroine …) Then again … maybe best stay away even from dreams … 😉
Great photo prompt, my friend!
Na’ama
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Na’ama Y’karah,
What sibling hasn’t had similar thoughts? Thank you for your sweet comments, my friend. 🙂
Shalom,
Rochelle
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🙂 I don’t know what you are talking about regarding sibling issues … 😉
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Ah, so it is, Rochelle,
The curse of the youngest born (aka, the “baby”). While I cannot relate to Gretta, I know the plight of the brother. 🙂
Peace,
Bill
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Dear Bill,
My brother and I have become the best of friends in our latter years. However he once told me that, as far as he was concerned, he was still an only child after I was born. We are six years apart so my arrival spoiled his perfect world. 😉 To be fair, I was a brat. (I know you find that hard to believe…right?) Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Both my parents had kids when they married and had me, so I had 2 half-sisters and a half bother. I was not only the youngest, I was also, in a way, the only. They tolerated me, but I also did not make it easy for them. 🙂
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I managed to avoid the pricked finger story – you did it very well!
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Dear Liz,
Actually I avoided the pricked finger story, too. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I like this story. I’m sure my siblings would have loved an Elf to carry me off. Thankfully, that didn’t happen. Good story.
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Dear Jan,
No doubt Jimmy would’ve loved that BEFORE the infamous car saga. (Yeah, I had to go there) Thanks, m’luv.
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Yeah. You HAD to go there. Lol
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what a sigh of relief. it was just a dream after all. 🙂
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Dear Plaridel,
Yes. Just a dream. 🙂 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story and great photo prompt thanks 🙂
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Thank you on both counts, Angela.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hahah, Siblings! This is so much fun. What if it wasn’t a dream? What would she have done?
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Dear Gabi,
If it hadn’t been a dream I think Gretta would’ve been devastated at losing her baby brother. Good thing it was. Siblings…we hate em…we love em. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m sure if it had been Rumpelstiltskin she would have missed her little brother 🙂
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Dear Ali,
I’m sure you’re right. Siblings can be pretty rash in what they wish for, can’t they? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ah, the American dream, to be an only child and not have to do chores. I oddly wanted a brother as a kid but quickly grew to regret it.
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Dear Nobbin,
There’s six years between my brother and me. I wished to be the only child, but he was there first. When he went into the Air Force I missed him terribly. We’re never satisfied, are we?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m glad it was just a dream, she’d miss her brother I’m sure! Lovely story 🙂
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Dear Fleur,
There are always conflicts between siblings, aren’t there? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Phew, how lucky was it that it was a dream. Powerful wishes can be dangerous in the wrong hands! A fun piece. I enjoyed this one.
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Dear Laurie,
What older child hasn’t wished their younger sibling would just go away? I’m glad you enjoyed my story and took the time to say so. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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