Iain Kelly

FOR OUR OWN GOOD

The bars appeared overnight. We didn’t notice until Bill left the house for work and walked smack into them outside the front door.

The Presidential decree came soon after. Lockdown again, only this one enforced by steel cages. A strong rebuke: until we could all learn to behave for the greater good, we’ll remain behind bars.

‘They can’t do this!’ screamed social media in post after post. But they could and they did. I can’t say I disagree: we’re useless when left to personal responsibility.

Drones dropped food parcels and medicine instead of bombs, so that made a nice change.

Copyright Unknown

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.

Iain Kelly

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61 responses to “FOR OUR OWN GOOD”

  1. neilmacdon Avatar
    neilmacdon

    Nice play on words. Iain. Ahh, those days of lockdown. How I miss them. The hope that when we came out the other side it would all be so different.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It is different, unfortunately in a bad way… Thanks Neil

      Like

      Reply
  2. Sadje Avatar
    Sadje

    A very nice story Iain

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Sadje 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  3. Vartika Avatar
    Vartika

    Nobody likes to be in cage. Good story

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  4. rochellewisoff Avatar
    rochellewisoff

    Dear Iain,

    Prison, no matter how pleasant, is still prison, isn’t it? Makes me wonder why this lockdown. Good one.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Do we need a reason anymore. Just bad things in general that keep happening I guess! Thanks Rochelle 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  5. Michael Avatar
    Michael

    A great use of the prompt, well told

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Michael

      Like

      Reply
  6. Tannille Avatar
    Tannille

    Sad reality. The responsible always pay for the irresponsible.
    There are worse ways to be in lockdown though.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  7. Bear Avatar
    Bear

    Deep. HArd to be too coherent this morning, yet. But this could be so real, it’s scary.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you. Sending you and husband best wishes.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  8. Yamini Ali MacLean Avatar
    Yamini Ali MacLean

    Hari Om
    so often the few spoil it for the many… and there were times that I wished I had such a door to close on others! YAM xx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I’ll stay behind my locked door if it means keeping safe, not sure I trust that many others these days! 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  9. Liz H Avatar
    Liz H

    Are we ever truly free? Sometimes the hardest iron bars, those that suppress magic, are the ones created by our own bad choices.
    Shades of Hansel being fattened up for the witch? 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I think we’ve all learned recently that our freedom is fragile, whether from a pandemic or war, it is to be treasured.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  10. Keith's Ramblings Avatar
    Keith’s Ramblings

    At least there’s a hint of positivity in the final few words.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Clinging on to any scrap of good news!

      Like

      Reply
  11. Rowena Avatar
    Rowena

    Iain, I’ve always been philosophical. However, the last two years have accelerated things. I’ve questioned why sensible, intelligent friends have walked away from their jobs instead of getting vaccinated. I’ve wondered about people gathering unmasked in crowds, as though they’re immune. I’ve locked myself away to stay alive, and haven’t missed a lot of people, but have realized many of us are struggling in strange and unpredictable ways from these lockdowns and things are rather weird and unsettling. I have tried to keep myself buoyant, but have found myself sinking a few times too.
    I thought you might appreciate a post I wrote this morning which is quite upbeat after I saw two rainbow lorikeets in our garden: https://beyondtheflow.wordpress.com/2022/03/16/rainbows-on-an-overcast-day/
    Best wishes,
    Rowena

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Rowena, the toll on mental health, not to mention friendships and relationships is something that can’t be measured over the last couple of years.

      Like

      Reply
  12. Anita Avatar
    Anita

    Imagine iron bars appearing in front of our doors overnight!
    This lockdown is serious. Phew!
    Drones providing food and essentials for those literally “behind bars”!
    Interesting.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Anita

      Like

      Reply
  13. msjadeli Avatar
    msjadeli

    *Excellent* story, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. msjadeli Avatar
        msjadeli

        You’re welcome.

        Liked by 1 person

  14. Danny James Avatar
    Danny James

    Life without parole.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      No chance of escape. Cheers Danny!

      Like

      Reply
  15. larry trasciatti Avatar
    larry trasciatti

    Even if the food is good it is still a totalitarian measure

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      A fine line between protecting and imprisoning.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. larry trasciatti Avatar
        larry trasciatti

        Yes there always is

        Liked by 1 person

  16. magickmermaid Avatar
    magickmermaid

    Definitely a great statement of our current times.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  17. pennygadd51 Avatar
    pennygadd51

    Savagely satirical story, Iain, especially the last line.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Penny

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  18. CGraith Avatar
    CGraith

    Have to be careful with this story if it leaks to social media it will end up on the news and who knows what would happen.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I’m sure someone already thought of it!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  19. plaridel Avatar
    plaridel

    so food parcels and medicines were dropped, but what’s the use when folks are locked out?

    Like

    Reply
  20. Na'ama Yehuda Avatar
    Na’ama Yehuda

    The irony of dropping food and medicine outside people’s reach isn’t lost on me …

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      A government that can say it is doing it all it can to look after people, when in fact…

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Na'ama Yehuda Avatar
        Na’ama Yehuda

        Indeed. …

        Liked by 1 person

  21. Nobbinmaug Avatar
    Nobbinmaug

    It’s sad that people habitually put themselves over the greater good to the point where this seems realistic. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Yes, selfishness is a very human nature.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  22. Bill Avatar
    Bill

    There you go again, Iain, bringing reality into the world of fiction. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Bill, sadly so.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  23. draliman Avatar
    draliman

    I’m glad it didn’t go quite that far,

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Not yet anyway…

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  24. Brenda's Thoughts Avatar
    Brenda’s Thoughts

    I think they’ll remain behind bars for a very long time. The greater good is not a popular idea, sadly. Nicely done, Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It’s almost a lost concept these days! Thanks Brenda

      Like

      Reply
  25. Laurie Bell Avatar
    Laurie Bell

    Personal responsibility…

    Oh how I wish we hadn’t learned how little most care for each other. I fear even if it was enforced, people would find a way out with little regard for endangering others

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Yep, we are a selfish bunch.

      Like

      Reply
  26. Margaret Avatar
    Margaret

    Very good. Key sentence for me in this story is ‘We’re useless when left to personal responsibility.’ That’s a very troubling thought, but I’ve got to say I think you’re correct. How tragic for us all.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It seems to have been proved this way, and it is tragic. Thanks Margaret

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  27. Inside the Mind of Isadora Avatar
    Inside the Mind of Isadora

    Lock down seems to be a way of life now-a-days.
    Just when we think the crisis is over anothe mutant virus shows up.
    Dreadful … the world, our lives are not going to be the same … ever.
    Powerful timely write, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  28. ahtdoucette Avatar
    ahtdoucette

    Love the dark humor in this one. At least, I am going to assume it is humor. And intentionally dark. 😉 Well written as ever Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It was dark and humour, and also a little bit real… Thank you

      Like

      Reply
  29. Sascha Darlington Avatar
    Sascha Darlington

    Good story, Ian. When the pandemic started, people worried about this kind of thing or harassing neighbors they thought could be sick. The things we’ve learned about our fellow humans–enlightening times.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Sascha, not much of what we have learned has been good unfortunately!

      Like

      Reply
  30. Woman walking Max Avatar
    Woman walking Max

    Very topical and fair comment. Wry humour in the line, dropping food parcels instead of bombs.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you!

      Like

      Reply

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