Daniel placed the doll carefully on top of the pile.
He struck the match and held it next to the teddy bear.
The flame grew. It consumed all the toys.
When his mother came running out the house it was too late.
***
‘Why did you burn your sister’s toys, Daniel?’ his father asked him that evening.
‘Because Mummy’s always crying in Lily’s room with them.’ Daniel said. ‘I was trying to make her happy again.’
His father gave Daniel a hug and kissed him on the head.
‘It’s not the toys that make her sad, Daniel.’

Written as part of the Friday Fictioneers challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).
To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.
Oh Man! This tugs at the heart strings! So tender and sad when the Dad kisses him on the forehead and says that it isn’t about the toys.
Great job!
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Thank you Joy, glad you appreciated it.
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Beautifully written, Iain
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Thanks Neil
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I was thinking about the Velveteen Rabbit.
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Dear Iain,
What a touching piece. Lovely.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you Rochelle.
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Ouch! This is heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time.
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Awww, thank you NJ 🙂
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The thinking of a child. Tragic, yet, so possible. Great tale.
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Thank you.
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Children and matches just do not mix, loved how you handled this without horror.
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Thanks Mike
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Touching indeed 👍
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Thanks Lauren
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Great story. Beautifully written. At first I was scared.
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Thank you
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Oh, Daniel 😔
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Nice, subtle piece of writing, Iain – perfectly pitched and not over explained, which I really liked. I had a feeling this pic would bring little but sadness and so it proves
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I couldn’t think of a happy way to interpret the prompt, but also I had written enough about terrorism last week. Thanks Lynn.
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I know what you mean, Iain. Though tough to write this pic with a hapy ending!
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Egad, another dead baby story. Yikes. I couldn’t bear to do that to my little tykes so I saved them. Only the toys were hurt in the fire.
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It’s not a picture that inspires happiness it seems.
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What a heartbreaking, touching story. Nicely done, very subtle.
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Thank you,much appreciated.
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Wow, intense love it
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Thank you
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Loved this, Iain!
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Thank you Rosemary
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Oof…your story today just hit me in the heart. The innocence of a child…this was lovely, Iain. Tragic…but lovely.
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Thank you Jade, very kind.
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So sad. And very well done.
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Thanks Jane.
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A beautiful piece of writing on such a sensitive subject. This brought tears to my eyes, Iain.
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Thank you Edith
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Beautiful…. and well done! Reading it brought me into the room with them.
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Thank you
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Moving narration! It appeared to be sibling rivalry in the beginning.
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Thanks Reena, that was the idea.
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Very moving. Makes me hope that the little boy doesn’t end up a pyromaniac though.
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A poignant tale ! I appreciate the depth and maturity in your writing.
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Thank you
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The sweet little child, wanting to help mum but too young to understand what’s going on beneath. Very sad story.
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Thank you
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Beautiful story…just loved it..
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Very kind, thank you
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Iain, this was amazing. Very cleverly throughout and executed. So heartbreaking how the death of a child or a parent of young children leaves such a harbour of grief.
xx Rowena
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Thank you Rowena
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Poor little boy, to witness such grief.
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Thanks Liz
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Brilliantly delivered, very touching
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Thank you Michael
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Such a heart wrenching tale is this. Lian, i have noticed subtlety is your middle name. Excellent exhibition of understated stated writing.
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Thanks Neel
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Oh, how sad. Great job on the prompt. You had me going from not liking that kid to loving him in 100 words or less 🙂
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Thank you 🙂
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Aw…. poor family! So very well written. Kudoes! :o)
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Thank you
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Oh my god… this post… i am lost in it. So well told. So heartbreaking…
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Thank you Laurie, nice to know it had an impact.
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Emotive and well written, I truly appreciate your style of writing. And thank you for the follow
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You’re welcome, thanks for reading and your kind comment.
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Oh this was heartbreaking Iain. Very well done.
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Thank you
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A tender tale beautifully told Iain. Delightful.
Cast Aside – a very short story
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Thanks Keith
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sad story. at the same time, i appreciate how you laid it out very beautifully.
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This story hits you in the feels…
Out of the mouths of babes… or hands, in this case. Still, his heart was so in the right place.
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Thanks Dale
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Such a tear jerker story! Love it and sad too! WELL DONE!
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Great mis-direct. How very sad and beautifully told.
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Thanks Clare
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Oh, that one rips at you, Iain. Nice job.
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Thank you John.
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Oh hell, I’ve got tears in my eyes now. So well told, the emotions understated and palpable.
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Thank you Sarah Ann, much appreciated.
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Beautiful 🙂
https://rjfaithnlove.wordpress.com/2017/06/10/check-your-thoughts/
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Thank you
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Heartbreaking. Wonderfully written.
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Thank you
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Reblogged this on OneInOneSixty and commented:
Sad but beautifully written.
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Thank you for the compliment and reblog.
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