‘Thank you,’ he accepted the coins. Not much, but another sale. The tourist trade was still slow.
He started on another picture. Bright red, purple, yellow, swirling together.
A shadow cast over the paper. He looked up.
She offered him an apologetic smile. ‘That looks wonderful. Can I put it on our living room wall?’
‘What will he say?’
‘Perhaps we can get him to change is mind.’
He handed it to his mother and watched her walk away through the market.
Maybe it would convince his father that being an artist was a suitable career choice, but he doubted it.
Written for Friday Fictioneers 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.
Happy New Year to all. I hope everyone is well and managed to enjoy a break over the holidays. Here’s to 2022 being a better year for all!

65 responses to “PARENTAL SUPPORT”
It’s so important, isn’t it?
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It certainly is. Thank you.
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Lovely post
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Thanks Sadje, hope you are well.
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You’re welcome! Thanks Iain, I am.
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Good story.. I like it
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Thank you so much!
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Talent needs support and appreciation.
Glad that his mother understood. Father will eventually, I hope.
True story for many.
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Let’s hope so. Thanks Anita.
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But, But. She didn’t pay!
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I’ve found that parents seem to assume this!
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It’s good that he has his mother’s support. I share his doubts as to whether his father will be convinced but we can always hope.
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You never know. Thanks Penny. Hope you are well.
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Thank you, Iain, yes I’m well. I hope you are likewise.
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Nice take Iain. Happy New Year.
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Thanks Di, and to you.
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🙂
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Thought-provoking as always. My father never changed and unfortunately didn’t live long enough to see my first novel published. One thing: I had to reread it to understand that “What will he say?” wasn’t a musing by the author to the reader but actual dialogue, and the ‘he’ did not refer to the boy. Partly it was the near invisibility of the single quote marks, but perhaps with the signifier “he said”. Or if the ‘he’ had been emphasized, maybe just with italics (which I can’t seem to do here!) In other words, “What will HE say?” Just a thought. But a very poignant image.
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Thanks Eugenia
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Happy New Year Iain. I think that struggle is one many young people share. He has his mother on his side, there’s hope.
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Thanks! Yep, always hope. Happy New Year.
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I can certainly relate. Great story! Happy New Year to you and your family! 🙂
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Thank you. Hope you are well 🙂
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Sounds complicated; unfortunately parents often set themselves up for disappointment when they try to push their expectations onto their children. I’m glad he’s still following his passion. Dad needs to wisen up.
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Dad’s generally do. I think they get a bad press sometimes! Thanks!
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You’re welcome!
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Chasing one’s dreams and seeking a father’s approval can pull one in opposing directions. Very well stated and understated.
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And of course, in most cases, it has to be going against a father’s approval, which can be a tough choice to make.
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Wow, Iain. A beautifully complex story told in so few words. Well done.
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Thank you Bill
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I’m sure his father wants only the best for him. But sometimes it’s hard, as a parent, to see that your ‘best’ may not be ‘the best’ for your child. Good one, Iain.
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It’s a fine balance, constantly trying to steer them in the right direction without impinging on them.
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Beautifully written, Iain. With Mom’s support, half the battle is won. I hope.
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Here’s hoping Dale, mum’s know best 🙂
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Mums do know best. We always have 😉
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I was so very dissuaded from art when I was in High School, though at the time I was very good at architectural and mechanical drawing. “No place for women” I was told. So, I went into social services… Now, I’m getting back to my art later in life. Sigh… And I often wonder what if….?
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I think many creative people have those what of regrets. At least you have got there in the end.
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Perhaps his mother can convince his father, but probably not. He’ll have to learn to live without his approval.
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Many children do, I think most manage to learn to live without it!
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I read, long ago, a biography of an artist who was punished when he was a child for wasting time, charcoal, and paper on his early efforts. He became famous. But I don’t remember who it was 🙂
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Well, if they needed the charcoal to heat them during the winter, it becomes a tough choice! Thanks Linda 🙂
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Dear Iain,
Sadly the artist all too often is discounted by those closest to them. Often, art is looked upon as a mere hobby, nothing to devote one’s life to. I wish my parents could see what I’m doing in my latter years. At least the artist’s mother in your story appreciates his work enough to put it in a prominent place. Perhaps she’ll promote him that way. Nicely done. And good to see you here this week. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle. Isn’t it amazing how often creative work is not seen as work at all. Like when people seem surprised that you would rather they paid a little money to read an author’s book…! Always good to be here Rochelle.
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Hopefully, in time his father will become proud of what his son’s achieved, despite the negativity he had to endure.
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Will he ever be aware of how much he hindered though? Cheers Keith.
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I think the father will be impressed.
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I agree, he will come round.
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I love the subtle reference to the shadow over his work and I hope his effort is sincerely welcomed at home – how sad to share your life with somebody who doesn’t welcome talent into the house.
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It must be tricky though, perhaps the father is right in a sense if there is no I come to be had, he needs to find a paying job alongside his passion. Thanks Jilly.
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A parent’s support and affirmation is something we all desire, I think. He’s brave to go and seek a life that his father does not approve of. Hopefully, in the end, his father will come around. A sad yet lovely story, Iain!
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Thanks Brenda, I think there is hope for the father to be convinced.
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The minds of some people are not so easily changed.
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Hope he comes around to accept him.
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Thanks, there is hope!
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Wow… so subtle but the family attitudes really come through here so strongly. His mother’s need to support him compared to his father’s attitude that it is not good enough all expressed in so few words. Nicely done Iain.
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Thanks Laurie 🙂
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well, my story too has a doubting father, interesting
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i want to believe that parents only want what’s good for their children but the reality is that they can only lead them to a certain extent. no one can really be sure how they’d finally turn out in the future.
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Very true, there’s only so much they can do.
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My character had teacher support. Let’s hope for a father substitute if father doesn’t do it. I doubt many fathers are aching to see their sons become artists. Fathers want stability for children. Good story. I as surprised at the mother appearance.
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Thanks Oneta
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Definitely been there with parental support issues. Here’s hoping he makes it anyway. Great take on the prompt, Iain.
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Thanks Anne 🙂
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So glad to find you again on here. You fell off my Reader before. Always appreciate your stories.
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Glad you found me again! 🙂
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