They found me of course. Writing my journal by the light of the oil lamp. I fancied a wave of warmth tickled my chilled body as the leather and paper blazed-up on the fire. The flag’s crack in the Arctic wind howled despair.
Petrie’s tone was that of a disappointed father. “You know only the official record is permitted. It says so in your contract. No individual tales.”
“You think you can own the past?” I said.
“No.” He laughed. “With my account of muscular purity and heroic suffering, I will own the future.”
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 
The controlling Petrie, lover of a contract, definitely threatened by your account of what went on. This is a big story in a few words. We were only discussing Arctic explorers on Sunday. Coincidence.
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There were Arctic expeditions in which the leader rigorously controlled the story in this way. Thanks, Jilly
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A good example of how history is “his story”__he who is the victor. Well written, Neil.
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Thanks so much, Neel
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Dear Neil,
One must question whose account will be accurate? Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, Rochelle
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I rather suspect that, up to a point, both of them would be accurate. Witnesses never see the same things.
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History is defined by the victor, or here by the one who has the control. Good, descriptive piece, Neil.
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Thanks so much
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Interesting in itself and a microcosm of how history has been controlled by powerful men for a long time. Expertly done.
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Thanks so much, Iain. This actually happened on some Arctic expeditions
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One can’t help but wonder how much fake history there is. Nice one Niel
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I suspect it’s all fake, and also all true. It’s all somebody’s real version of events. Luckily, we get to remake the past
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I like your take on the veracity of history, and really admire the way you’ve illustrated it with this story.
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Thanks so much, Penny
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As Shakespeare (or maybe someone else) said, there are 3 sides to every story.
Sorry, Neil, I’m not sure I believe your version!
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Fair do’s. I made it all up.
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Paraphrasing Orwell in that last exchange. Well done.
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Thanks, Joshua
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The ego…
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Collosal
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Your story reflects, of course, on all of written history. Whose worldview shaped the textbooks? Would another writer’s account be totally different? You’ve set up a philosophical discussion here 🙂
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Yes, it does
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I will own the future….. confident person.
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Hubris perhaps
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Engaging story, Neil. Also through-provoking on the accuracy of history depending on the historian’s view.
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The winner always writes the history… and only personal records can prove it wrong.
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Maybe not even personal records
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Who wants your version when I can submit mine?
Of course, everyone sees and remembers what one does…
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Exactly so
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You raised so many questions in so few word Neil. Excellent.
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Thanks so much, Anurag
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everyone’s truth!!!
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Yes, and some are backed by legal contracts
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Nice story. On one side there is promise of owning the future and at the same time a poignant question is also asked about who owns the past?
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Who owns the past controls the future
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May be. But we also have the ability to deviate from the past.
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Can’t be letting anything negative into the accounts. Whatever’s in there becomes history, no matter what actually happened…
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Exactly
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Nicely done. I needed to read the story twice to get all the subtle nuances. May read it a third time to soak it all in.
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Thanks so much, Alicia, There are only two layers, so two readings will do it
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Oooo fascinating. I kinda want more of this
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Thanks so much, Laurie
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Caught a chill just reading this one!! Excellent write!
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Thanks so much, Violet
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Some error my replies don’t appear…
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Maybe what you have written is the way history was created… a viewpoint that dominates every other.
Interesting read.
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Thanks, Ira. That’s why the past keeps changing.
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To keep my own fire going, i must stamp out all the others. The desire for attention only grows as we enter the world’s stage. I fear this may be one of those expeditions where nearly everyone dies.
Love the language in this, the crack of the flag, the morose howl of the wind.
The last line immediately brought to mind WWII fascism–ego-driven masculine heroism (or heroics,) reaching a pinnacle of death and destruction.
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Thanks so much, Andy. According to the official history, nobody died. But then that was the official history
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history is written for those who wanted to believe.
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Thanks for reading
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Great piece. The narrative perspective definitely plays into how history is written. You presented that concept very well here.
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Thanks so much, Lisa. That’s what is was hoping for
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Nicely presented Neil. So much meaning in so few words.
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Thanks so much, Jo
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Every time I hear that some new discovery is ‘rewriting history’ I think – until next time. Well written.
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Thanks so much Liz. The past is being rewritten constantly.
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Dramatic stuff, makes me think of very large folk with big back stories
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Thanks so much
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Wow. This was an unusual take. I enjoyed the vivid description . Read twice .
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Thanks so much, Priya
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Such a powerful story, and beautifully written of course.
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Thanks so much, Ellie
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It’s said history is written by the winners. So much is controlled. Fun piece
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Thanks so much, Stu
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A skilfully crafted story, distilling a big theme into the exchange between the two men. Good writing.
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Thanks so much
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Great use of contrast here: “a wave of warmth tickled my chilled body as the leather and paper blazed-up on the fire.” I wonder how often people’s voices are silenced by “official accounts” of events.
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Thanks, Magarisa. I think it happens more than we’re told
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A very Orwellian touch to the story. It’s all about controlling the narrative. Nice one.
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Thanks so much
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Nice one Neil, the same story will inevitably be different told by two individuals so, it’s understandable Petrie will have to control the situation if he wants to safeguard his version for posterity. Ultimately someone will re-write history though, it always happens.
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Thanks, Michael. Yup. It makes it hard for those of us who like truth
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Nice take.
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Thanks, Dawn
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Beautifully written, Neil. In many instances, history is probably just as a much a fabricated story as fiction. I really loved the last line. Well done.
Best wishes,
Rowena
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Thanks so much, Rowena. I think almost everything we believe we know is a story
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So true, only the historian knows how to bend the past to influence the future. a what a wicked world we live in.
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Thanks, James
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