This week at the Carrot Ranch Charli Mills has challenged writers to In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about warrior women. It can be myth or everyday mothers and wives. Go where the prompt leads.
A warrior is defined as a brave and experienced fighter, a soldier perhaps. While most of us will never be called upon to face the enemy on a battlefield, many will struggle to overcome obstacles of different kinds in their personal lives.
From a young age, children must be encouraged to find their inner strength, to overcome challenges large and small, to be resilient when faced with setbacks, to be confident to try again and to persist even when the going gets tough.
This is as true for boys as it is for girls, but sometimes it feels easier to encourage boys to be adventurous and girls to be sweet and demure. That this is changing is a good thing.
In response to Charli’s prompt, I looked for a warrior a little closer to home. I hope you like it.
Gertrude the Invincible
With flaming hair streaming and eyes blazing, Gertrude stood at the apex surveying the land, her land. With one hand on a hip and the other raised high, she hurled her words into the wind.
“I did it. I am the conqueror. You,” she pointed expansively with her spear, “are now my subjects. You do my bidding.”
The minions bowed before her.
“I am in-vinc-i-ble!”
“Gertie! Pick up your toys and come inside now. It’s dinner-time,” called Dad from the door.
Gertie complied. Even warriors need to eat. There’d be more conquests and enemies for Gertrude to vanquish tomorrow.
Note: Gertrude is a German name meaning spear and strength. As long as she is encouraged, I think this Gertrude will have little difficulty living up to her name (minus the spear).
Thank you for reading. I appreciate your feedback. Please share your thoughts.
Gertrude is a warrior, as are you Norah ❤ I'm all for empowering females from a young age so I love this one!
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Thank you, Christy. I appreciate your comment.
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Great post, Norah! And great little Gertie flash!!
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Thank you, Robin. 🙂
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I love this, Norah. The beginning reminds me of the book She by Rider Haggard.
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Thank you, Robbie. What a wonderful comment. I’m not familiar with “She”. I’ll have to check it out. 🙂
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Great story but this is super freaky … Great Aunt Nora’s [my story] sister was Gertie, short for Gertrude and your story could well be hers being reared in the wilds of Royal National Park decades before it became a NP!
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Wow! That is super freaky. We should put our stories together. (I wonder if Charli managed to do that in the post.)
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lol they are both there but yours is near the top and mine is well down … great posts but seems so much violence to me but then that’s the image a word like warrior summons …
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Neither of us chose violence. 🙂
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yes but sadly the majority did … 😦
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I know. But as you say, that was the prompt. It will be very different this week. 🙂
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yes I hope so 🙂
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Oh, Norah, I was so tickled to see my image on the same spread as my hero Maya Angelou! You are my writing Warrior Sister, my fellow on the battlefield of life’s challenges and ever pursuing that elusive “not yet.” You are certainly among the greatest champions I know for education! I got fired up with your young warrior and know she will conquer more. Thank you!
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I’m pleased you enjoyed seeing your image on the montage. I think we need a montage of all the buckaroos – each one a warrior in their own way.
Yep, I think I’m stuck in the ‘not yet’ and I think I’ll be here forever. But that’s okay, learning is important to me cause I’m a life-long learner. There’ll always be something else to learn and something more to achieve.
Our young warrior is going to change the world! 🙂
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I love that idea! You are so right — we have heroes for education, heroes for memories, heroes for imagination, heroes for puns — The Avengers of Literary Art! Maybe you’ve read this before, but I recently read that “We are old when we stop learning.” Let’s stay forever young!
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I love that saying, Charli. I’ve always said, I’m only six years at heart! 🙂
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You are youthful, Norah! Stay young!
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I try! 🙂
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There are many ways to encourage young people to share their gifts and knowledge, even or especially those attributes that they maybe unaware of. I believe we all can learn from Gertie.
As in fuel yourself so you can inspire others. One can be a gentle leader as I believe most educators are. Even those who may not have the paper stating so.
Wonderful collage too!
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I appreciate the thoughts you’ve added to this post, Jules. Yes, we do need to appreciate each other’s gifts and knowledge, especially the hidden ones. Those who lead through inspiration rather than force are the greatest.
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This is where the warrior begins to develop, a young child at play practicing bravery and leadership. Well done, Norah. Excellent.
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Thank you, Jennie. I’m sure you’ve met as many Gerties as I have. 🙂
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Indeed I have 🙂. You’re welcome, Norah.
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I wonder what she overturned in her battle. Although not a warrior as such, your post reminded me that the most successful pirate in history was a woman from China. I believe that she ruled over more vessels than any other sovereign navy at the time.
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Thanks for that interesting piece of information, Steven. I just Googled it, as you knew I would. I hadn’t heard of Ching Shih before and was surprised to see how recently she ruled and how many ships and men. I hope my little Gertie doesn’t grow up to live a life like that. 🙂
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What a delightful story, Norah, and the twist is superb. Little Gertie would make a fabulous protagonist in a children’s book. Well done! ❤
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Thank you so much, Tina. I’ve known a few Gerties in my day. 🙂
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well, I think we need a support group for the toys, frankly…. what a tyrant! But, hey, if it turns her into a feisty warrior who’ll go out and JUST DO IT, then a few depressed lego pieces in therapy is a small price to play
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Ah the toys. But who know what side they’ll be on or what role they’ll have tomorrow. 🙂
I love the thought of those depressed lego pieces in therapy. I hope you write that story. 🙂
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yes, they need an outlet for their unformed gloom. I could be that saviour!
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Indeed! 🙂
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The photo montage is not showing on my cell phone – I saw it briefly earlier on my lap top and liked very much. As I do the story of Gertrude, the little powerhouse!
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I hope that the photo wasn’t showing up because you looked at the post on your cell phone at the exact moment I took down the montage with an error and replaced it with a corrected version. 🙂 Please, let me know if it’s still not showing up.
Other than that, I appreciate your comment. Thank you. 🙂
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That’s too too funny!!! Now showing!!!!! 🤔
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Yay! I’m pleased it gave us both a smile. 🙂
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Great photomontage of those various heroic women (although isn’t Mrs Pankhurst known as Emmeline?) and lovely flash to follow (although I can’t help thinking about what happens to children who don’t get the opportunity to lord it over their toys). Thanks for giving us the origins of the name Gertrude – that’s certainly due a revival with so many battles still to fight.
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Anne. I could tell you what happens to some of those children who don’t get to lord it over their toys, but I’m sure you know all too well.
Thanks for picking up my error with Emmeline’s name. I’m not sure what was going on there. Brain fuzz. Fixed now. 🙂
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I remember pretending I was Flash Gordon as a child. Your story reminds me of those days.
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I hope they are good memories. Now Flash Gordon is Frank the Flash Fiction Hero!
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This is a great post Norah! Love your pictorial montage with the salute to Charli who is clearly a modern day warrior. (As indeed is your good self!) Women still have a long way to go in terms of being recognised for their daily contributions to society just by bringing their feminine spirit, principles, strength and ethos to the table. All those virtues being necessary aspects of all warriors I think. And dear little Gertrude imposing her will on her world. Who among us did not play that role somehow, somewhere in our young lives. More power to her! An excellent take on this weeks challenge Norah, thank you for it.
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Hi, Pauline. Thank you so much for your comment. I agree with you about the daily contributions of women. I was looking for something that might portray that sentiment (with stereotyping) when I found the last one of the marchers – everyday people having a say about things that are important to them. I’d thought of putting one of my mum in, but couldn’t quickly find one I liked.
I’m pleased you liked Gertrude. I know (and knew) many little Gertrudes. Sadly, some got the power zapped out of them. Hopefully that will happen less often now.
I appreciate your thoughts. 🙂
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Great choice of warriors up there on your poster. Great flash. Go go Gertie!
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Thank you, D. I appreciate your encouragement.
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Well done Norah. Loved the little story about powerful little Gertrude. 🙂
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Thank you, Debby. I’m pleased you enjoyed the story.
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🙂
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Absolutely lovely take on the challenge. And what a lovely tribute to all women especially those whose pictures are up there….including Charli Mills. I love that you brought it closer home…..inspiring.
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Thank you so much for your enthusiasm. I’m pleased you enjoyed the post.
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