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Sunday, December 11, 2011

Magpie Tales: rowboat, man in sand

Fear...
Image by Mostafa Habibi
As the tide came in, he had no fear for himself. He'd been careful, after all, to keep his arms bent at the elbows when his grandsons covered him with sand, but he feared for them, for the boys. They had gone out in the rowboat, but he couldn't see them in it as the tide washed it up on the shore. He could easily dig himself out. He had stayed in the sand to surprise them when they came back. Now, he was afraid to dig out, to look into the deep-bottomed boat, for fear he'd see them. Of course, they might be hiding inside it, perhaps waiting to jump up at him as boys will do. Torn by his own indecision, he realized the truth of words he had read somewhere. Where? Who said it? It didn't matter, it was true nonetheless. Fear for loved ones, especially for young loved ones, is so very often stronger than fear for one's self. Dreading the worst, but having to look, he brought his arms up and began to dig himself out, so that he could look into the rowboat. If they weren't in it, he knew he'd row and row and row until he died, looking for them.

Posted for Magpie Tales #95
with thanks to Tess of Willow Manor for providing the prompt image by Mostafa Habibi, and for hosting Magpie Tales every week.
To see how other writer-bloggers responded to the image, please click
HERE!

21 comments:

Sherry Blue Sky said...

What a cool take on the prompt! I so know this feeling - fear for ones loved ones being so much stronger than fear for ourselves. I always say, since I had kids, it's like my heart is walking around in other peoples' bodies! Good one, Kay.

anthonynorth said...

Very powerful. Excellent.

Kay said...

This just sends a chill up your spine. I won't be looking at the sand without thinking about this.

Jenn Jilks said...

I rather fear your photos and stories like this. Fearful. So sad.
Nicely done, however.

Kay L. Davies said...

@ Jenn — I didn't provide the photo. It was the prompt for the Magpie Tales meme and it terrified me at first. I had to spend some hours thinking of other things before a semi-positive take on it occurred to me.
—K

Fran said...

This is a very powerful piece of writing and the sentiment is so true xxx

SquirrelQueen said...

Such a sad tale of a doting grandfather. One would hope the boys are just playing a prank. You are so good at these photo prompts Kay, I love reading your stories.

Cad said...

A clever interpretation of the picture. Well done.

izzy said...

I love the way you make this about others! Great- thanks.

DCW said...

Nicely concrete, avoiding the pressure for abstraction in a picture such as this. I like your take on it.

Isabel Doyle said...

Kay, this yells with truth and fear. Well done.

kaykuala said...

Kay,
An age old stance! we'll give anything for the kid's safety.you brought out the true feelings of fear in an adult.

Hank

Doctor FTSE said...

Great interpretation of the prompt. Well plotted tale.

Maggie said...

Amen. Powerful piece.

Martin said...

You build the tension nicely, here.

Brian Miller said...

this touches an all too real fear of mine that something would happen to my boys...shivers...

Frances Garrood said...

A really original take on the picture - enjoyed it!

Tumblewords: said...

A strong tale - the fear is palpable.

Wayne Pitchko said...

really like what you did withe the prompt....nicely done

hyperCRYPTICal said...

Excellent - the building tension made me cold with fear.

Anna :o]

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

That fear never leaves, either. Nice take on the prompt.