Fear...
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| 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:
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.
Very powerful. Excellent.
This just sends a chill up your spine. I won't be looking at the sand without thinking about this.
I rather fear your photos and stories like this. Fearful. So sad.
Nicely done, however.
@ 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
This is a very powerful piece of writing and the sentiment is so true xxx
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.
A clever interpretation of the picture. Well done.
I love the way you make this about others! Great- thanks.
Nicely concrete, avoiding the pressure for abstraction in a picture such as this. I like your take on it.
Kay, this yells with truth and fear. Well done.
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
Great interpretation of the prompt. Well plotted tale.
Amen. Powerful piece.
You build the tension nicely, here.
this touches an all too real fear of mine that something would happen to my boys...shivers...
A really original take on the picture - enjoyed it!
A strong tale - the fear is palpable.
really like what you did withe the prompt....nicely done
Excellent - the building tension made me cold with fear.
Anna :o]
That fear never leaves, either. Nice take on the prompt.
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