This week at the Carrot Ranch, Charli Mills challenged writers to In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that includes buttons. You can use the word plural or singular in different expressions, or focus on how buttons relate to a story. Go where the prompt leads.
This is my response. I hope you enjoy it.
Precious as Gold
Too lads, reviewing the previous evening’s campfire conversation, dug stones from the bank, inspected each and competed to land one further in the creek.
“D’ya reckon there’s still gold here?”
“Dad says. Reckons someone found one this big.”
“But that’s ages ago.”
“So. Might be more.”
“What’d you do if you found some?”
“Easy. Buy a car, a yacht and a jet. How ‘bout you?”
He contemplated silently—a house of their own first, then for other homeless people too.
“Whoa. Look!”
“Gold!”
They sprinted back to camp.
“You struck gold all right—a gold button,” the adults laughed.
Thank you for reading. I appreciate your feedback. Please share your thoughts.
Norah, just the right length, suspense, and plot for youngsters. I’m always curious about age level. I would guess up to 4th but would like your expertise. The dialogue is very good!
Sandy Briggs
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Hi Sandy, Thank you for reading and leaving such a lovely comment. I guess I was thinking about boys from about eight to ten years – exactly what you were thinking. 🙂
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Short but sweet piece of fiction, Norah. Agree with what the others have said. It’s full of layers. Looks like the lads were daydreaming hard, and for gold, I think for many of us that is wishful thinking. Also what is gold to us is not gold to someone else; we each measure worth and self-worth differently. Some of us would much rather have a treat while for others having something essential and a necessity is more satisfying. If I had gold, I’ll look into ways of multiplying it before giving myself a bit of a treat 🙂
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Thanks so much for reading and adding your thoughts to the comments, Mabel. You have certainly found different layers of meaning in the post. Thank you for sharing.
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This is very nice, Norah, it has layers of meaning and thought.
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Thank you, Robbie. I’m pleased you enjoyed it.
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Your story is cute as a button, Norah. Ah, kids. My 8-year-old grandson thinks he’s on the path to finding hidden treasure (he even made up a pirate’s treasure map). But he mostly talks about the first thing he’ll buy when he finds the treasure: a Lamborghini. WHAT? How’s he even know what kind of car that is? But he says I’ll be the first one he takes for a ride. 🙂
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Thank you, Pam. Your story is cute too. What fun to be the first to ride in your grandson’s Lamborghini! 🙂
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Can’t wait. 🙂 xo
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🙂
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Ha, seems like the kind of treasure that turns up from time to time in my vegetable plot!
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Just imagine what you could do with it! 🙂
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Norah, what a great flash of gold! I like how the lads expanded their daydreaming to include those in their situation. Well done.
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Thanks, Charli. I’m pleased the story worked.
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Lol, that was fun Norah. Well done! 🙂
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Thank you, Debby. I’m pleased you enjoyed it. 🙂
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That was fun and very clever. You are good with flash fiction or writing prompts.
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Thank you, Patricia. I appreciate your encouraging words.
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A gold button, still a treasure to bring hope and heroic thinking.
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Thank you, Jules.
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lol nice twist .. wondered where it was going 🙂
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Thanks, Kate. I’m pleased you enjoyed it. 🙂
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I love to strike a gold button, Norah! Lovely flash. ❤
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Thanks, Miriam. I’d rather strike a gold nugget. 🙂
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I want to say what the contented crafter said…
Sounds kinda American, Aussie. ‘Shamed ta say.
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Thanks, D., but I’m a little intrigued as to why you think it sounds kinda American. I had a very firm Aussie image in mind. I was thinking of Sovereign Hill in Victoria, (https://www.visitvictoria.com/regions/goldfields/things-to-do/history-and-heritage/gold-rush-history/sovereign-hill) the site of our 19th century gold rush. You can still pan for gold there today. If you’re lucky you might find a few flakes. 🙂
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It was the homelessness prompted my comment.
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Ahh. Sadly, we have homelessness in Australia, too. Too many people, including families with children, living on the streets and in cars.
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Hello Norah! I so admire how you create a thought provoking piece in just 99 words (no more, no less). This little piece conveys your message with no preaching required – just brilliant!
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Thank you so much, Pauline. I’m pleased you enjoyed it. Actually, I had a few thoughts to write a post about, but didn’t have time to do so. I had intended linking to your post about the gorgeous Petui. 🙂 Sorry I missed the opportunity.
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