At the end of the rough track through the mountains there was only inhospitable forest on steep hillsides.

The young monk Lopsang watched mystified as the village elder Tenzin propped up the sign with twigs.

‘Why are we warning people away? There’s nothing there.’

The wise man finished his work. ‘Because if we tell them not to come thousands will be sure to venture here to see what we are hiding, and when the tourists come the government will have to develop the road, facilities, housing. The money will roll in.’

‘But why use twigs?’

‘Backpackers like a touch of ‘lost world’ authenticity.’

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.