Deep in the woods, there’s a fairy ring. As a child I found the place. From all over the valley, travellers journeyed to view it and make wishes.
Deep in the woods, there’s a fairy ring. Over the years, a road was worn smooth by thousands of pilgrim feet.
They built a café to cater for hungry travellers, and an inn to lay their heads. And a souvenir shop. And a supermarket. And a housing complex.
Deep in the city, a ring of trees is lovingly preserved. But nobody can remember why.
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 
Dear Neil,
A magical take on the prompt. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Rochelle
LikeLike
A tragic whimsy. I like to believe this is the story behind the invention of the first ever roundabout.
LikeLike
if you plot them on an ordnance survey map, ley lines connect the roundabouts
LikeLiked by 2 people
And god created East Kilbride
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this, Neil
LikeLike
Thanks so much
LikeLike
So good!
LikeLike
Thanks so much, Trish
LikeLike
This is magical. Could be a start of a blended world. Diversity is strength they say.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Tannille
LikeLiked by 1 person
Trees have memories, they’ll remember. Nice one Neil.
Here’s my tale!
LikeLiked by 1 person
But they’ll never tell
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great story! I like this one a lot.
LikeLike
Thanks so much
LikeLike
As often happens… great take on the prompt. Really enjoyed this little read.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Bear
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, this was just lovely!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Susan
LikeLike
I love the simplicity with which you tell this story. You give us a series of plain statements and allow them to tell the story for themselves. It looks artless, but it’s anything but. Kudos!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Penny, and for noticing what drove the experiment
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yet another magical place ruined by tourism. The repetition drives your point hime skilfully.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Liz
LikeLike
And once again, modern life encroaches on the mystical and magical, all in the chase for money. Beautiful, but sad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Linda
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brilliantly done, Neil. History losing its meaning bit by bit by bit…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, but on the other hand we get Buy One Get One Free
LikeLiked by 1 person
Right.
LikeLike
Excellent story with incisive social commentary, Neil.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Jade
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome.
LikeLike
I love the idea behind this …
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Michael
LikeLike
Oh, I SO love this! It is beautifully written AND wonderfully conceived. LOVELY!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thannk you so much.
LikeLike
Some people can see a business opportunity almost anywhere. The place where fairyring was found turned out to be a place bustling with people and activity.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They know the price of everything and the value of nothing
LikeLike
Well, at least they didn’t chop the trees down…
LikeLike
there is that
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is beautiful. Magic persists.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Is it still magic if nobody recognises it?
LikeLike
Like a tress falling in a forest. I think there’ll always be people who recognise it. Mainly children though. And the slightly insane.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d like to think so
LikeLike
Great story. So true, myths come from the failure to understand the past.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, James. If we don’t understand the past, are we condemned to reliive it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
A beautifully told tale Neil, both gentle and truthful about our way of life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much
LikeLike
Oh this is lyrical and lovely. Well done, Neil. The concept is such a clever one
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Laurie
LikeLike
In the end the magic was lost to our comfort.
LikeLike
And are we now more comfortable in our world?
LikeLike
We do lose so much as we progress.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Though it is fair to say we don’t die of the pestilence any more
LikeLiked by 2 people
I suppose you could put that one in the pros column.
LikeLike
Marvellous stuff and sadly so reflective of many of our wild places.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Siobhan
LikeLiked by 1 person
It doesn’t take long for us to forget why things are the way they are. Beautifully poetic piece.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Magaria
LikeLiked by 1 person
Someone remembers!
We just don’t remember who! lol
Enjoyed this one, Neil.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Dawn
LikeLiked by 1 person