Mum watched me anxiously from the window. I gave her a smile and a wave.
The curfew had been lifted two days ago. I was the only one outside. The National Guard had gone home. Maybe it was the rain that kept everyone inside.
The new President had lifted the ban. Dad said things would get back to normal soon.
None of my friends had ventured out yet. Dad said my best friend Anwar wouldn’t be back. I was sad about that.
It was great to feel fresh air again. To splash in the puddles. To have the room to run around.
I’d probably have to go back to school sometime, but that didn’t seem so bad anymore. Better than being stuck in the house.
I spotted another kid at the end of the street. I went up to her and said hi. There wasn’t any place to go so we just splashed in the puddles together.
The rain stopped and the clouds blew away. The sun came out.
Written as part of Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. The challenge is to write a flash fiction story, in around 150 words based on the weekly photo prompt. This week is the 100th Challenge, congratulations and thanks to PJ for hosting and reaching this milestone. For more information visit HERE.
To read other stories based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.
to splash in a puddle we dont need to know who’s who, just the puddle and us.. that’s all..
nice take on the prompt, Iain…
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Very true, thanks
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A tale of hope. I enjoyed reading this, after the clouds, the sun will definitely come out. I hope sooner than later though…
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Thanks Joy, me too 🙂
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Indeed a wonderful use of prompt and word count. Impressed.
Also thank you for following my blog. Got you back. xx
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Thanks Ros, much appreciated. Look forward to reading more of your work 🙂
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Sweet story Iain! It seemed to be written in the voice of the child. I loved how it described how he went out to play in the puddles and another child came out to play in the puddles too. Also, the message, that the sun comes out after a rain. Great story!
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Thanks PJ, a little ray of hope with this one.
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Great story Iain!
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I wondered how to write such a topical story, you did well. I do hope that the sun returns.
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Thanks Michael, I hope so too.
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Exceptional. Where your mind wanders from a single photo amazes me. In a good way. And yes, the sun will come out again. It always does. Might be some cleanup necessary, but the sun will come.
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Very kind John thank you. I think you are right and I hope it will be sooner rather than later.
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Excellent rendering of childhood innocence in not so innocent times. Enjoyed the hopeful tone at the end.
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Thanks Rachel, glad you got the hopeful tone, felt like it (we) needed a bit of hope in the end.
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A very sweet story of hope and sunshine. Apt metaphor of todays’ troubles times. Good, damn good, Liain.
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Thanks Neel, appreciated.
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Beautiful story. Let’s hope things do get back to normal soon.
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Definitely, thanks.
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Its been a long time since I saw a child splashing in puddles ….
Nice take.
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One of lives simple pleasures. Thanks
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There is an unspoken terror here that leaves a lot to my imagination. I like that.
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Thanks Pamela, glad you like it.
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Wonderful story….showing how quickly a child can have his world turned upside down, yet in a short length of time can find some simple pleasure ..like splashing in the rain water with a new friend and feeling the outside air and sunshine. Children often adapt to different circumstances quickly.
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Innocence can be a benefit sometimes. Many thanks.
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children make up the most creative games out of almost nothing – that’s what i felt like reading this story. being cooped up never good for any child mental and physical development.
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I can vouch for that with my own, a day stuck in the house drives them mad!
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and the parents too!
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I still like to splash in puddles when no one’s looking!
Click to visit Keith’s Ramblings!
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Sadly apt in today’s world! Great take!
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Thank you
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love how you tell a deep story with simple lines.
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Thank you, that is the style I aim for so that means a lot!
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you did it splendidly. 😉
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Not so subtle 😄. I love kids can turn this around, go from a 1 to a 10. They tend to see the silver lining more often than adults.
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Thanks 🙂
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It’s a very optimistic story – and with recent events in mind, a much needed one. Let’s hope the one we have now turns out the same way too.
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Fingers crossed. Thanks Chris.
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Wonderful Iain! I really like the subtle way you folded setting and exposition into the first couple of lines. And I appreciate the casual tone despite the heaviness of the content. Very skillfully written.
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Lovely comment, thank you LaRonda 🙂
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I really enjoyed your story.
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I enjoyed thinking about the events woven into your story, Iain. Cleverly written.
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Thanks Millie, glad it got you thinking.
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Life goes on even amidst terrible things. Perhaps like being able to jump in puddles, there is still hope out there.
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There’s always hope Mandi. Thanks for reading.
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There is hope.
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There always has to be a little hope otherwise what’s the point? Thanks for reading.
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