Iain Kelly

An endless wall.

In the middle a black door.

In front of it signs reading: ‘No Entry.’

‘If no-one is allowed to enter, why have a door at all?’ Qiáng asked.

‘So that those on the other side can expel people out.’ Mǐn replied.

‘So it is an exit only?’

Mǐn shook her head and smiled. ‘It is an opportunity.’

‘How so? To get to the other side of the wall?’

‘Why would we want to get to the other side of the wall? Mǐn had heard stories from the kingdom beyond the wall.

‘Then what is the opportunity you see?’

‘Every person that comes through the door is an opportunity, who can offer something to our land, who can share our values and be valued in return.’

Qiáng looked at the wall. He no longer feared it, but was thankful for it. Those on the other side had built it to protect their kingdom. Now it sheltered this land from the evils of the kingdom beyond.

Written as part of Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. The challenge is to write a flash fiction story or poem in around 150 – 175 words, based on the weekly photo prompt. Thanks as always to the challenge host Priceless Joy. For more information visit HERE.

To read other stories based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.