he 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 © Mr. Binks
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
THREE STEPS AND A HOP
Ettore patted Jerry’s head. “How’s it going small fry?”
Twelve-year-old Jerry squared his shoulders, stretched to his full four-foot-three-inches, glaring up at his six-foot-tall eighteen-year-old brother. “Who you calling ‘small fry’?”
The youngest of eleven siblings, he’d always be the shortest.
Over the years his lack of height served him well as an actor and a stuntman. His hand and footprints appear in front of the famous Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood.
Puffing on his cigar, eighty-year-old Jerry Maren reminisced about his part in The Wizard of Oz. “Great times. That mangy mutt made better money than us Munchkins did.”
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Nicely done, Rochelle.
I really like “The youngest of eleven siblings, he’d always be the shortest.“
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Dear Mr. B,
He did capitalize on his lack of height, didn’t he? 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I liked the note of angst at the end
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THank you, Neil.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ahhh, the joy of being 4’10 in a 5’7 world! I know it well. LOL! Stores have gotten to the point that you need to be at least 7ft to reach anything. I now have a personal shopper provided by the store to assist me around. Finally! Anyway, great story… and I LOVE the munchkins!
couldn’t stay connected last week for some reason. Sorry I missed out!
~Shalom, Bear
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Dear Bear,
Yes, I understand. I’m a tall 4’11.25″ 😉 I was 5 foot-nothing, but am the victim of gravity. We learn to be “social climbers” don’t we?
Glad to see you connected this week.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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He took full advantage of his height. And at eighty, it’s not as far to fall – look on the bright side. Another gem of film folklore from you, Rochelle.
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Dear Sandra,
He certainly didn’t let anything hold him back. Height is highly overrated. 😉 Thank you re my story. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Aw, I’m glad he found a way to capitalise on his height. And after all, the dog was even shorter, so deserved the highest salary, right???
Jen
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Dear Jen,
I doubt the dog really cared about its salary. 😉 Mr. Maren certainly did capitalize on his height. It didn’t hurt that he also had talent. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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He proved you don’t need to be tall to reach the heights of fame! An interesting read and a couple of delightful vids!
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Dear Keith,
Dynamite comes in small packages. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Indeed!
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What a great story of not coming up “short” because of his height. lol. He was quite talented and I had no idea of who he was. Especially the Buster Brown character. Good job.
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Dear Jan,
I see what you did there. 😉 I didn’t know about Buster Brown either. Thanks m’luv.
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“Somewhere over the rainbow.” I get it.
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Or under it. 😉
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Good to learn more about Jerry, someone I had never thought about beyond the movie scenes he was in. I remember meeting a guy who played one of the terrifying flying monkeys once. He was volunteering at our local Irish Music Festival. He was also a “little person” or danged close.
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Dear Lisa,
I’m glad you enjoyed my short piece. 😉 At 4’11” I’m pretty close to being a little people, too. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, my maternal grandma was also 4’11”, but my grandpa was 6′ and so my mom was 5’9″. My dad was 6’2″ and I am (was) 5’10” 1/2 but now have shrunk to a mere 5’10”. You are welcome, Shorty 😉
Shalom,
Lisa
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🤣😁😘
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I remember these films, does that mean I am really old?
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Dear James,
I suppose it depends on whether you saw the films in first run at the theatre. .;) They’ve been on television for years.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love the historical significance of your posts! I hope the dog didn’t make more money than the people actors!
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Dear Clare,
I’mi glad you enjoy my historical pieces. I always learn something I didn’t know while researching for them. A lot of fun. And…yes the dog made more money that the little people playing the munchkins. Sad but true.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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awesome Rochelle! I love this! xo
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Thank you, Carol Anne.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love your historical fiction, Rochelle. You make it seem so real 🙂
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Dear Joy,
Thank yiou so much for such a lovely comment/compliment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
In your inimitable way, you have once again, brought to life a wonderful character. Good on him for being able to find his niche and live a fulfilled life.
Shalom and lotsa tall and short love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
Glad you came along for the journey over the rainbow. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom and lotsa intrepid hugs,
Rochelle
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You know it.
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well done, he found his niche.
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Dear Plaridel,
He did indeed. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You always find these interesting stories to relate, I enjoy learning from your tales each week.
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Dear Michele,
Thank you for a sweet comment/compliment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I remember him. Thanks so much for the lovely story as usual, Rochelle.
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Sorry! It’s me … Brenda. 😊
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Dear Brenda,
Thank for identifying yourself. 😀 And thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh what a fascinating story. Great descriptions here. Always the shortest…
Honesty, all of the munchkins stole that scene in the wizard of Oz. Everyone remembers them I think.
Laurie
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Dear Laurie,
Oy am I ever late to reply to this one. I agree that the most memorable characters, aside from the Cowardly Lion 😉 were the munchkins. Thank you for your lovely comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love the fact that he took advantage of what others might call a disadvantage and made a memorable career out of it! Nicely done!
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Dear Angela,
Sorry for the tardiness of this reply. I’ve been playing catch up all week after going out of town for my son’s wedding.
Jerry didn’t let anything keep him down for sure. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow, what a career. Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed this and the Youtube biography.
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Dear Dawn,
Always happy to share. Forgive my tardy thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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