There are marks on the pages, made by people long, long ago. They trigger electrical discharges in his brain. Not like a seizure, but precise tiny currents. These fluxes form things that cannot exist: a fish breathing air, a wicked witch, snow in the desert. On these little sparks, rising from the bonfire of his mind, he escapes.
Much later he watches a documentary. “They exist,” he cries, “fish with lungs”.
He sells up, and treks the scalding Sahara, searching for snow. Eventually he reaches the white-capped Atlas Mountains and stumbles on to Marrakech, sure he will find the witch.
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
Neil MacDonald Author 
A man on a mission! Lovely imagery.
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Thanks, Jenny
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A misguided mission perhaps, but he’ll see some sights along the way. Intriguing story, although I must confess I’m struggling to see the connection to the prompt photo.
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Thanks, Iain. Maybe it’s good enough that he has a mission. The trigger for the story was the contained boxes of the bug house, each with their own small life, small miracle
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Makes sense now. I always think too literally.
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Glad I read this part of the comment –
Helped me get more
From your 100
Words
😉
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That first paragraph was a cracker! Well done.
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Thanks so much, Sandra
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He’s a character in his own fairy tale.
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Aren’t we all?
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It’s fascinating how the photo took you on this journey into the mind. Very fascinating story! And intriguing too.
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Well, I didn’t fancy writing about bug hotels
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I love the way you take a photo prompt and go off on your own, unique tangent!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thanks, Susan. The same characteristic can be a trial to others in social settings
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Great imagery in this.
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Thanks so much, Joshua
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Sometimes I feel I make similar misguided choices. Hey, it’s the journey not the destination.
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Oh he finds a witch in Marrakech
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Well, I’m rooting for him!
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The ‘small miracle’ of every individual life. Your protagonist’s life sounds very lonely, though. And who will miss him when he dies?
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Maybe that’s why he has his quest
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Great imagery and some wonderful lines. Very different tangent you too off. Yes, i agree with Sandra_ the first para was a bonfire of sheer delight, Neil.
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Thanks so much, Neel
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The human quest, going from reading to doing. Sublime description of the act of reading and imagining, precise enough for aliens,and other illiterates,to understand.
Love the bonfire imagery.
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Thanks so much
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Oh I love the way he starts to believe in wonders… still unsure if there will be a witch at the end of the yellow brick road, a wizard maybe?
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Thanks, Bjorn. I think he’s certain there’ll be a witch. And because he’s certain, he’s sure to find one
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Dear Neil,
This piece ignited a few sparks in my own mind. Vivid and imaginative.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks so much, Rochelle. I can’t ask for more
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I to really liked your opening gambit, and the way you used the prompt.
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I liked the idea of “gambit”. It’s an interesting metaphor to use about writing. I like it a lot
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I love the way he watches the documentary that reinforces his ‘vision’. Great writing, Neil.
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I think we tend to watch and read the stuff that reinforces our vision. Thanks, Edith
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What I love about this is his ability to move beyond his preconceived notions and open himself to adventure. This is no small feat! 🙂
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Thanks so much, Sascha. I hadn’t seen it that way, but you’re right
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A quest in search of imagination, fish with lungs and desert witches.- fun read.
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Thanks, James
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From humble beginnings, a grand journey, where miracles will present themselves day after day, I am sure. Nice thread you again, Neil. And see such a smiley, de-hatted you!
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Miracles are always available. Used ones are specially cheap this season. Thanks for liking the pic
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Thread – to read
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Damn spell checker – nothing to do with me typing too fast at all!
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He sure does lead an interesting life.
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He has purpose. Not necessarily a good one, I grant you
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Loved the first paragraph, Neil. Quite inspired.
Best wishes,
Rowena
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Thanks so much, Rowena
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Fantastical imagery.
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Thanks so much, Dawn
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Now his life has purpose – great story.
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Not a great one, but a purpose. Thanks, Liz
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I love that he decides to seize the moment and go out there and discover rather than stay home and dream…
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Even if it has all been discovered before, yes
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Indeed. All about the adventure!
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Aha! I really liked his search… never know what you will find if you look hard enough
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That’s true. He may stumble on something quite unexpected. Thanks, Laurie
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What an imagination! Glad I read this. He will sure discover the witch..
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Thanks so much. He’ll certainly find the witch, because he’s primed to find her
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A wonderful opening paragraph giving rise to your MC’s quest. His journey is one of belief and faith, and snowy desert mountains. He is sure to find his witch.
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Thanks so much, Sarah Ann
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Ah – the quest! Best wishes to our hero
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Yeah another damn quest
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gotta have ’em eh?
and personally I never tire of the good ones… and just fit life –
🙂
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Wonderfully detailed.
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Thanks so much, Lisa
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I really like the theme of your story- my favourite line is ‘life becomes something else when spoken’. Think this is true, and endlessly fascinating. Thank you Neil.
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Thanks so much. That’s the writer’s tragedy that it becomes something else when uttered
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