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 © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
The photo is a seascape. On the beach some seagulls are resting. A sailboat with a brightly colored sail is on the water. The sky is overcast.
CLICK ON THE FROG TO HOP ON BOARD
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
THE FROZEN SEA WITHIN US
Shadow monsters chased Franz. Twisted trees and thorny brambles caught his clothes. He snapped open his eyes.
The wind howled outside, sounding like shouts of tyrants and wails of children.
“Mother! Father! Help!” He cried out. “A drink please! I’m so thirsty.”
Father loomed over him.
Instead of water or the comforting words the child longed for, Father carried him to the balcony. “Never disturb my sleep again, you little insect.” The door locked behind him.
Frigid wind whipped through the boy’s thin nightgown. For the rest of his all-too-brief life, Franz Kafka despaired of ever winning his father’s love.
“A book must be the axe for the frozen sea within us.”
― Franz Kafka
If you have ten minutes to spare CLICK to know more about him.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
What a heartrending story
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Dear Geeta,
All the more heartrending in the truth of it. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Terrible, but we’re the beneficiaries of his pain
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Dear Neil,
What a price he paid. I hate that we benefit from it. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I agree Rochelle
Regards
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That was fascinating, as I dived down to read more about Kafka. I knew a bit before, but nothing about his personal life (and death). Thanks for that Rochelle.
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Dear Chris,
His was a sad life. The tragedy is that if he hadn’t died so young, he might’ve lived to die in the Holocaust. 😦 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Gut-wrenching. Thank you for the prompt, your story and the link.
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Thank you, Sandra.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I wonder sometimes how any child makes it out of childhood unscathed. Wonderful vignette, Rochelle.
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Dear Violet,
True story. But some kids do have it much worse than others. What a monster Mr. Kafka was. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well, that’s a horrific story about a sailboat. :-O
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Dear James,
It’s not what you look at that matters. It’s what you sea.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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In my top 3 authors of all time, m’lady, but because of his inner torment, not always an easy read.
As your own tale here expertly reflects.
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Many thanks, C.E. Now I’ll have to shrink my head. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks for more history, I knew of Kafkaesque from lessons and culture use – but knew less about Franz Kafka
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Dear Yvette,
He was a tortured soul, wasn’t he? Always happy to share as I learn.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hope you are having a great start to the week. xxxx
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Rochelle, I love the quote you used. I don’t like to say your story is encouraging, but it shows that a person can tell their story no matter what. I’m glad he had a good friend.
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Dear Lisa,
Thank you for your encouraging words. Friends are so important, aren’t they?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle,
You’re welcome and yes, they are.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Also, not sure if you are a Breaking Bad Fan – but they had an episode (S3, E9) where Jesse describes his job and the group leader observes that the situation sounds “kinda Kafkaesque,” to which Jesse replies, “Yeah. Totally Kafkaesque,” adopting the word without fully understanding its meaning.
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How many of us have frozen seas in our makeup and wishing we had an axe to break through? I would say all of us. At least the ones that think on wanting, but failing, to achieve all that we want in life. Kafka had, unfortunately. A sad life. Thanks for sharing this story & link. It causes one to think about whether we live a Kafkaesque life. I think we all do in one form or another.
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Dear Anonymous Jan,
Interesting musing. As long as neither of us turns into an insect we’re golden.
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We remember so much cruelty and nothing changes. What a poor specimen of natural life must we humans be. No wonder aliens never visit.
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Dear James,
Indeed. Why would aliens be interested in us? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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what a tragedy. sad story.
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A sad story indeed, Plaridel. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A sad truth is much of the greatest art was caused by a bad childhood. Great story, Rochelle.
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Thank you, whoever you are.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a horrendous way to grow up. People can be monsters.
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Dear Nancy,
What a father. Monster indeed. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Too often, the great poets, comedians, actors, etc. are so because of the tragedy of their youth. Thank you for once again illuminating us on one such soul.
Lotsa soul-giving love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
I wonder if he would’ve been a florist or a baker had he not had such a father. Always happy to share. Thank you.
Shalom and lotsa soul-preserving hugs,
Rochelle
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An answer to which is impossible.
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A sensitive child full of imagination and then such a father/environment. This is so sad and still was and is true for far too many.
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Dear Gabi,
How very sad indeed. Such people should be sterilized before being allowed to procreate. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a very sad story – the price he paid for his greatness 🩷
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Dear Angela,
One has to wonder what he might have been like had he not been raised by such an ogre. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Incredible story and person. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you, Dawn.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This is new to me. Thanks for sharing.
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Dear Patrick,
I’m always happy to share. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s horrible, Rochelle. You wonder how much that upbringing shaped his outlook on life and informed his writing. That is a lot to overcome.
I hope you have a good week!
David
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Dear David,
No doubt Kafka’s upbringing informed his writing. Very sad indeed. I can’t imagine how someone could mistreat a child like that. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Terrible. And sadly terribly common. Well told, as ever, Rochelle
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Dear Jen,
Some people should never be allowed to parent. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh
Oh so well described.
You teach us so much through such a tiny moment
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That’s high praise, Laurie. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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