Friday Fictioneers – Naming

~ neilmacdon
bjc3b6rn-9
Photo Prompt © Björn Rudberg

We called them the witch’s tits. On account of their shape, you know – sharp cones. Before we named the peaks, this was just an ordinary mountain track. Afterwards, well you could feel it, the cold I mean, a kind of chill in your heart as you rounded the corner.

I think it was Harry who named the force – Ishtar, an ancient Queen of Heaven, who destroyed her lovers. Anyhow it was Henry She took for her own that day. We heard a wail and he vanished. That’s why we made the warning sign. Nobody takes this road 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

79 thoughts on “Friday Fictioneers – Naming”

  5. That’s a clever and elegant take on the prompt. I, too, noticed the crude construction of the warning sign and wondered whether to use it. Naming things can give the objects power – as here – or give the person doing the naming a power over those objects. In either case, it’s not supernatural, rather a quirk of human psychology, so I very much take your point that it’s not Ishtar who is the scariest being in the story.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  20. I’m not sure if it was your intention, but I found the first paragraph quite funny. Witches tits and “afterwards you could feel them, the cold I mean” the ambiguity! In South Africa there is a place in the karoo called Three Sisters because of three small hills that the locals felt resembled breasts. Well, Goddesses are not to be messed with that’s for sure!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  28. Well, of course they were that shape. If they had been renamed, would Ishtar and the chill have gone away? A great complete tale that also leaves us thinking and wondering, what if?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  31. Your writing always flows as its read, Neil. Perfection in writing and a fabulous take on the photo prompt. A bit of warning: All woman with names that start with the ‘Letter I’ can be mysteriously witchy.
    In a good way …. which could be even more dangerous. (I’d add a sinister laugh but can’t think of how to write that.) I enjoyed your story very much.
    Isadora 😎

    Like

    Reply

  35. Great story, Neil. I can imagine the narrator recounting it to a group of travellers as he guides them up the mountain, and them feeling an icy chill run down their spines.

    I laughed at ‘Witch’s tits’, maybe I should watch my step!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment