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Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Magpie #42 - The old trophy


The old trophy languished in a locked cupboard. No one had thought of it for years, and they'd all forgotten why Gramps had won the thing.
They didn’t mean to forget, but they all had lives of their own, were out establishing their careers, establishing themselves. Even the youngest was about to graduate from college, and it wasn’t the sort of college where students aspired to sports trophies.
But one day someone wanted the cupboard for something, for storing business files, perhaps. So it was unlocked and they found the trophy and read the inscription:
Oldest student in the neighborhood martial arts class to qualify for a black belt, at the age of forty-two.
"Wow," they said.
Even the youngest, the one who didn't particularly care about physical competition said, "Wow, who would have thought that about Gramps? Didn't he die when he was forty-three?"


Posted for Magpie Talesin which Tess of Willow Manor supplies a photo, and invites us to submit the story or poem the picture inspires.
To find out what literary gems were produced by others as they gazed upon this image, please click





22 comments:

Friko said...

Great fun! I laughed out loud at the last line.

But since when does martial art kill ? I reckon t'was the belt what strangled him!

Berowne said...

A complete short story; well written.

Sylvia K said...

Great story for the day, as always, Kay! Hope your week is going well. Enjoy!

Sylvia

Brigid O'Connor said...

Such a clever piece, I enjoyed this, was a great read.

Mara said...

I won a trophy once: for being the best female shot in a shooting competition.

The year after I was rubbish!

Cad said...

Wonderful warped sense of humour!

Cildemer said...

Loved your tale!
Thanks for sharing;o)

***
Have a nice day****

Helen said...

Thoroughly funny!

giorno26 ¸¸.•*¨*•. said...

Wow mi piace !
Buona serata :)
Baci a Lindy !
Myria e Igor

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

awesome, your words inspire.
love your delightful attitude.


http://itistimetothinkformyself.blogspot.com/2010/11/magpie-42-in-55-words-why-not-enjoy.html

mine has some awards/treats in it, enjoy the bog love.

Janice said...

An amusing magpie...

Fran said...

Great story, well done x

Suz said...

Why Kay I think I like you!
what a sense of humor...and yes that is what some children might think
Happy to have visited your blog
an unfittie..ha to that too
thanks for stopping by my micro

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Great little story.. loved it!

faith said...

Aw, that is kinda sad. Poor ole boy!

hedgewitch said...

the past becomes a mystery so soon when we're no longer around to inhabit it. But at least there are tales like this to tell around the table.

Anonymous said...

What a lovely story - poor old Granpa!

Doctor FTSE said...

Nice one! A real "ouch" ending.

Kay said...

This was very interesting to read, but that last line really floored me. :-)

Maggie said...

Bummer. But where can you go after you've won a cup?

Tess Kincaid said...

Heehee...thanks for the giggles!

Unknown said...

I love a surprise ending....43! Oh toooo young!! Glad they took the cup out!