Live Love Laugh Learn … Create the possibilities

A Place Where Children Once Played #99WordStories

This week at the Carrot Ranch, Charli Mills challenged writers to In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a place where children once played. It can be a field, a playground, or any place that attracted children to play. But now it is empty. Abandoned. Go where the prompt leads!

This is my response. I hope you enjoy it.

Locked and Abandoned

Grow up.

Stop those childish games.

Remember your manners.

Cease with the stories.

Fairies aren’t real.

Santa’s for fools with more money than sense.

She was a dutiful daughter and diligent student. She submerged herself in lessons, wiped her mind of childhood nonsense and got on with the serious business of being grownup, though she was not yet nine years old.

She went on to be dux at school and won the university medal but had no friends to celebrate with.

Sometimes, in night’s solitude, she’d hear a jangle of keys and a tiny voice crying, ‘Let me out!’

Thank you blog post

Thank you for reading. I appreciate your feedback. Please share your thoughts.

Note: The collection of stories made in response to the previous prompt Gloria can be read at the Carrot Ranch.

Comments

38 responses to “A Place Where Children Once Played #99WordStories”

  1. calmkate Avatar

    ouch this is a very provoking piece Norah, life is always healthier and happier with a work life balance 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      That’s for sure, Kate. My message was clear, then. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. calmkate Avatar

        absolutely, well done!

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Nicole Horlings Avatar

    This is a sad tale, Norah. Yet, it’s one far too many children are conditioned to imitate. Very well written!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      It is sad, Nicole, and I agree that the imaginations of too many children suffer this fate.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Jennie Avatar

    How sad! Well done, Norah, and a reminder of the importance of childhood.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      It was meant that way, Jennie – childhood play and imagination.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Jennie Avatar

        Yes, indeed!

        Liked by 1 person

  4. D. Avery @shiftnshake Avatar

    Wow. Let’s find those keys, Norah! Bust that kid out of there.
    And dux? Makes sense according to my Latin studies, leader, but I hadn’t heard it in this context either. So thank you for a fine flash and a new word.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Wow! Another not knowing dux. I thought it was used internationally. As on numerous other occasions, I thought wrong!

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Jules Avatar

    It is very true that sometimes children are forced to grow up too fast.
    We, at any age need to know how to play and enjoy life. 💖

    Like

    1. Norah Avatar

      I agree with you wholeheartedly, Jules! Play is the essence of living.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Liz H Avatar

    I know that voice! 💔

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Too many of us do! Thank you for reading and commenting, Liz.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. roughwighting Avatar

    Darn, this is so darn good. So haunting. So sad. And so true for children who are not allowed to be children. Excellent, Nora.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thanks, Pam. That’s definitely the message I was trying to share.

      Like

  8. robinettercleave Avatar

    Wow. Very moving.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thank you, Robin.

      Like

  9. robbiesinspiration Avatar

    HI Norah, this is very sad. You can achieve in life and still hold on to creativity and fairy tales.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Norah Avatar

      I agree with you, Robbie. It was meant to be sad. The loss of creativity and imagination is a loss humanity can’t afford. It happens too often, though. I do my best to make it not so.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Hugh W. Roberts Avatar

    Quite chilling, that last line, Norah. Gave me the shivers. I loved how you moved this story along at a lovely pace.
    I’ve never heard of ‘dux’ either. So that’s a new word for me.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thank you. It was meant to be chilling. And sad. Loss of creativity is a terrible loss.
      Once again, I’m surprised that ‘dux’ is not familiar to readers in the UK. Interesting.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Kate Avatar

    A creative take a playground that gets abandoned with adult rational and responsibilities.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thank you, Kate. I’m delighted you see it as creative. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Jacqui Murray Avatar

    That is haunting. Nicely said, Norah.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thank you, Jacqui.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Anne Goodwin Avatar

    Fabulously poignant story, Norah. You express it so well.
    And you’ve taught me a new word – had to look up dux and I see it’s Scottish!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thank you for your encouragement, Anne. I’m pleased the message was strong. It’s one close to my heart, as you know.
      But I am surprised about dux. I thought it was commonplace and that its use here probably originated in England. So thank you for that piece of education too.

      Like

  14. Susan Scott Avatar

    That tiny voice, almost lost but not quite – o my heart. Thanks Norah

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thanks, Susan. I hope that tiny voice is eventually heard and responded to.

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Prior... Avatar

    So thought provoking

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      I’m pleased you think so. Thanks, Yvette.

      Liked by 1 person

Leave a reply to Norah Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.