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 © Sandra Crook
The photo looks to be a lattice or wooden fence covered with spider webs and vines. From the way the photo is framed it almost appears to be a window. Through the openings we see green grass, a tree, and the sky. The webs are so thick they look like they’re made from yarn of thick thread.
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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
A CANTERBURY TALE
A rock shattered the window. Heart thumping, Prudence picked it up and placed it on the mantel like a trophy. “I’ll not back down.”
She read her advertisement in the April 1833 edition of “The Liberator.”
“…the first Monday of April next, her school will be opened for the reception of young Ladies and Little Misses of Color…”
She recalled the angry white townsmen who had recently banged on her door spewing their heated displeasure.
“Such a boarding school will lead to intermarriage,” they claimed.
Prudence Crandall stiffened her back, glared at them, and said, “Moses had a black wife.”
It doesn’t exactly go with the story, but it kept playing in my head, and just seems to fit. 🙂
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Great piece of history. What a courageous woman. I wonder if white supremacists know that scientific evidence shows that all modern humans evolved in Africa before migrating to the rest of the world. .
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Dear Joy,
How conveniently bits of history and scientific evidence seem to have disappeared. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Inspiring, Rochelle. I didn’t know Moses had a black wife.
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Dear Neil,
Of course there’s controversy over this, but Zipporah was a Cushite…Ethiopian. So now you know. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a strong principled woman thanks for sharing Rochelle ♥️
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Dear Angela,
She’s definitely someone people should know about. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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🙌
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It just never ceases to amaze me we are still fighting this same fight. Humankind is such a disappointing creature at times…
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Dear Violet,
It’s a little like playing whack-a-mole. Prejudice rears its head everywhere at any time. Maddening.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Why would anyone wish to deny anybody the benefit of an education? It’s hard to imagine the mind-set that would not only think that way but offer violent resistance to boot. Nice one Rochelle.
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Dear Sandra,
Why indeed??? The slave owners at the time knew that knowledge and education meant power. A sad time. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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She was definitely a woman of conviction who, unfortunately, paid the price of her convictions. Good story. You should have been a history teacher.
Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS
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Dear Jan,
If I had it to do over, knowing what I know now, perhaps I would be a history teacher. 😉 Thank you, m’luv.
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That was so interesting, Rochelle! Love that song too.
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Dear Chris,
The song just seemed to fit. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, my mind never fails to be boggled by such stories. I think we are (or were, pre faux-king orange one) headed in the right direction, but I am certain we have a far way to go. Thank you for bringing Prudence Crandall’s story to light.
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Dear Lisa,
We can hope things continue to go in the right direction. Thank you for reading and leaving a kind comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, yes. You are welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Some people are wonderful but, sadly, so many are not.
Your poor country seems to have an excess of the latter at present, m’lady.
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Dear C.E.
The news these days is such a caldron of sewage, it’s hard to know who the truth-tellers are. Of course I have my opinions and distresses.
There are still good people here but they don’t make the headlines as much as they should.
Thank you and shalom,
Rochelle
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She was certainly not one for backing down. A brave and inspiring woman.
I posted some Auschwitz pictures on my blog yeserday Rochelle.
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Way to stand up to the man. Thank you for the lesson, Rochelle.
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Dear Will,
She waged a war and made her mark. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I apologize to you and everyone else for being inactive since I posted my story yesterday. I had eye surgery a week ago (my eye is fine) but the weekend I caught a vicious head cold and I’m operating on half-power. I’ve been trying to devote myself to marketing my recently published children’s adventure novel (I’d love to nap instead), so I’m feeling drained. I’ll try to catch up as the week progresses. Again, my apologies. I’m not trying to be a snob, just feeling exhausted.
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Rochelle – I loved the Petty song at the end – and I think I have told you before that I sometimes think of you when Tom Petty comes on – because of your post about him right after he passed away!
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What a brave woman! The idiocy of racism never seems to go extinct.
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Another inspiring story, Rochelle! Good for Prudence, a courageous woman indeed. It reminds me of India. When we sought to get the children in our care into schools within the city where we lived, we were refused over and over because the children were from the countryside and low caste. One principal, a wonderful woman, took our children despite controversy. It’s incredibly sad that this sort of situation still occurs today.
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moses had a black wife? perhaps one of many.
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Dear Rochelle,
I so love how you manage to teach us week after week – especially with regards to smart and strong women.
Go Prudence! Wonderful story!
Shalom and lotsa courageous love,
Dale
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I never considered that Moses had a black wife, but of course he did.
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we need more people like prudence, then and now!
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Ignorance and narrow-mindedness are still alive and going strong, sadly! Excellent post, Rochelle; I think your song choice is perfect.
Shalom
🕊️
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Wonderful reply, short and sharp.
Must’ve shut them up!
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Dear Sabina,
I have to wonder what their replies might have been, if they had any at all. Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
PS I couldn’t find a way to leave a comment on your lovely story.
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That’s fine. Its enough that you would read it!
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Joining in after a few years Rochelle I remember how I would write regularly for Friday Fictioneers. Your story is immersive, gives hope and courage and depicts how one can find light when one looks for it
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Full of courage! I love your history tales Rochelle
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