the benefits of play and using imagination

Let’s pretend — play and imagination

46 Replies

If the title conjures up images of children playing dress-ups with forts and castles, saving princesses and defeating dragons, that’s good. Such was my intention.

Pretend play, in which children use their imaginations, allows them to try out different roles, experience different possibilities and enact a variety of solutions to problems they encounter.

But play and imagination isn’t just for children. It is through playing with ideas that new discoveries are made, inventions are created, and innovations implemented. Without imagination, everything would always stay as it always was. Science wouldn’t progress and stories wouldn’t get written.

Charli Mills of the Carrot Ranch flash fiction challenge Eminence

When Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch challenged writers to In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that uses the word eminence. It’s a rich word full of different meanings. Explore how it sounds or how you might play with it. Go where the prompt leads!, I knew that imaginations the world over would be employed to respond.

Every week when Charli sends out a prompt, writers play with ideas to engage readers with unique and imaginative perspectives on the word or phrase. When all have been submitted, Charli searches for threads that bind the diverse stories together and compiles them into a connected whole.

Charli’s use of the word ‘eminence’ in her flash fiction story was unfamiliar to me, so I opted to stay within my comfort zone. With such a serious and imposing word though, what could I do but play? I hope you enjoy it.

Your Eminence

She glided in, regal robes flowing, loyal subjects lining the path.

“Your eminence,” they bowed as she passed.

She occasionally extended her gloved hand to receive their kisses of adoration or stopped to bestow a gift of royal chatter. Though her crown and responsibilities weighed heavily, she held her head high as she proceeded towards the throne. Decorum dictated every move. She dared not breathe out of sync. Her subjects depended upon her.

When seated, she motioned for all to sit. They obeyed, listening respectfully.

“I decree– “

“Lunch is served, Your Majesty.”

“Aw, Mu-um!”

“You’ll reign again later.”

Thank you blog post

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46 thoughts on “Let’s pretend — play and imagination”

    1. Norah Post author

      Thank you, Jacqui, that’s so kind. I’ve been amazed at your creativity as I read ‘Survival of the Fittest’. So creative and so clever.

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  9. Jules

    You reminded me of a commercial here where a little boy is sitting down to lunch and asks his mom to make his imaginary friend a sandwich too. Before placing the second sandwich down at the ‘friends’ place Mom takes a bit. And the little boys face lights up as he says, “Look Mom, my friend took a bit out of his sandwich too!”

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
    1. Norah Post author

      What a delightful situation in that ad. I hope it provided fuel for thoughts about parenting. It obviously did for you. Do you remember what it was advertising?

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓

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