“You’ve seen hunting whales blowing bubble rings to corral herring, right?” Aman drummed her fingers on the angelstone, waiting for the girl to answer. A bleak wind blew in from the north, raising her hair into a crown.
“Uh, yes, sure.”
“Then can’t you see it’s the same with flowers? A woven wreath will corral a spirit. They suck energy from the air, forming a barrier the spirits cannot cross.”
Aman knew the girl was strong and clever enough to one day succeed her. Only the garland around the child’s head held her in check now.
Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here.
Fancy sharpening your skill with writing exercises? The Scrivener’s Forge offers a new exercise every month to hone one aspect of your craft. Take a look at this month’s exercise on plot and endings.
Neil MacDonald Author 
Aren’t these whale bubbles the most amazing thing? I love how you use them and turn the whole theme to magic, flowers, coming of age and letting go.
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Thanks so much
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Very mysterious. Is the girl a spirit? I would love to read more if you were to expand on this, Neil.
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No, the girl is human
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Indeed she is. Had got it the other way. One more reading did the trick
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Dear Neil,
Magical story. It put me in mind of some of the childhood scenes from Wonder Woman. I suspect this child is destined for greatness. Lovely writing.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanksm Rochelle. The child may be destined for greatness if her mentor lets her live that long
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A very imaginative take on the prompt. Enjoyed your story.
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Thanks so much, Sandra
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Yes, very imaginative, Neil. You took me in a direction I didn’t know was going to exist. Great!
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Thanks, William
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Is the girl destined for greatness or will she be the destruction of humankind as we know it? Interesting take Neil.
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Thanks, Iain
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Sweetly ominous. Either she’ll be a queen or get dropped into a volcano!
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Thanks, Joshua
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Interesting fact of nature well woven into this fantasy tale. Once some people get their hands on the reins they don’t willingly hand them over.
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Sadly, that’s true
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Chilling.
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Thanks, James
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There’s going to come a showdown between mentor and mentee at some point I’d say – and when that happens everyone better duck! Lovely, magical tale, Neil. Is this set in a world you’ve written about before or one that’s new to you?
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Thanks Lynn. No, it was fresh-minted for this challenge
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Maybe it will be a new direction for you? 🙂
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Fabulism is one of my styles
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You’re very good at ti 🙂
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High praise! Thanks, Lynn
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This is magical!
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Thanks, Dawn
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A most interesting take, Neil. Now we get to wonder if she will rise or fall…
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Thanks, Dale
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Even spiritually gifted children must learn. Lovely story.
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Thanks, Liz
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A nice little story. A handcuff by any other name is still a handcuff, eh.
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Except when you’re an apprentice
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Interesting that you should choose to use the flowers symbolically. It makes me wonder how the magic of the natural world might start to spread itself among the boxes in her apartment. Nice tale!
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Thanks, Penny
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The last line says so much especially after this line – A woven wreath will corral a spirit. Very nicely done.
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Thanks Alicia
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I agree with Alicia, I too love the line “A woven wreath will corral a spirit.” Really nice take on the prompt.
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Thanks so much
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First three stories today: Laughter, murder, witch craft. We’re out to a great start!
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Thanks so much
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Magical! Loved it!!!
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Thanks so much
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Wonderfully whimsical!
Click to read my FriFic
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Thanks, Keith
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Simply magical. I loved the imagery here. Great writing Neil.
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Thanks so mucjh, Tracey
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Wow. This is fantastic!
“A bleak wind blew in from the north, raising her hair into a crown.” … I love this line, and the closing.
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Thanks, Lily
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The power of the wreath. Excellent read.
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Thanks, Sascha
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What a trick to play on the young child! To stay in power forever. This was great Neil.
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Thanks, Fatima
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Sounds like a dangerous game Aman is playing. Perhaps the child will pick the time for the succession whether Aman wishes it or not. :o) Great story, Neil.
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Thanks so much
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I read it a couple of times to get the full effect.
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I probably did something wrong if you needed to re-read it a couple of times
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Very creative!
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Thanks, Dahlia
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I like the magical feel of the story.
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Thanks, I’m glad it worked
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