Leon stood, hands on hips, gazing up. Movement atop the campanile—two soldiers and a glint of light on glass. Yes, the tower held an enemy observation post. And oh, it was exquisitely beautiful.
A trio of Nazi soldiers strolled by, cat-calling to passing signorinas. Leon restrained the impulse to pull the cap lower over his eyes, a gesture that might have drawn attention.
He turned, retracing his steps back to his unit. His duty was clear—to call-in an artillery strike. But the tower was history. It embodied Pisa.
“Nope,” Leon reported. “Nothing there.”
.
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,
Nice subtle build of tension.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle. I took a leaf out of your book and did a true history story
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😀
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Thank you Leon.
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An unsung hero
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You have presented it very nicely. Kudos to Leon and his uncanny skills
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Leon’s bravery, wisdom and humanity are shown so well, Neil.
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Thank so much,, Jilly
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Wonderful, Neil. Thank goodness he had the heart to preserve this beautiful structure.
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Not an easy decision for him
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No, I bet it wasn’t.
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I’m assuming based on a true story… Some things were rebuilt after being bombed, but it would never be the same.
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It is based on a completely true story, yes
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To preserve history… or the future. Great take on this. Very timely, too.
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I was thinking of Ukraine when I wrote this
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Me too.
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I like that even in war, sometimes a individual will act for the best.
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There were probably two bests jostling in his mind
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Sometimes the symbol of a town is more than just bricks and mortar.
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I agree
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Leon could have gotten into a lot of trouble. I hope he didn’t.
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I don’t think his superiors knew until long after the war ended
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Ah, good man? Tough decision.
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It must have been a nerve-wracking one
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That the tower has survived as long as it has is a wonder. (Or that t was ever finished.) Interesting dilemmas are faced in combat. A great example, Neil.
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Thanks so much, Bill
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hmmm, what is he trying to hide?
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He’s hiding the knowledge that there’s an enemy observation post in the Tower of Pisa
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oh…is there really or just in your story? Funny but I have never even thought about what is actually in that tower.
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It’s based on a real event during world war two
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wow
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What a brave thing to do, and thank goodness he did.
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It was brave, and possibly treasonous
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A reminder of those WW2 days. I think the German troops had retreated before someone decided to demolish this building, as they did so many others to route out snipers. So was this tower saved by chance, or did our US soldier have a cultural conscience and saved this historical place? I like to think he did.
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No, he saved it quite deliberately
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I hope he was presented with Cultural Medal from the Pisa Council.
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This read like it was happening now … as in our Ukrainian sufferers.
I enjoyed the read but soldiers and war aren’t my fav topic right now.
Isadora 😎
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Thanks all the more for reading it then, Isadora
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Your welcome, Neil.
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he made the right decision and we’re all grateful for that.
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Perhaps, though it probably would have been less clear at the time
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Wow, a very interesting piece of history. I’m glad he saved it, though it must have been difficult for him to do. Nicely written. I was engaged from the beginning and wanted more.
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Thanks so much, Brenda
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A difficult choice to make.
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I’d agree
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A moral dilemma indeed. I like the way you’ve brought Leon to life -his gestures and moment by moment thoughts. I feel that I’m there with him making the decision.
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Thanks so much, Margaret
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Gee, this was well done. Menacing in so many ways.
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Thanks so much, Laurie
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You told a lot of story in 100 words, Neil. I’m glad he did the right thing. He could always wait and take out the enemy unit with his own sniper rifle.
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Thanks so much, Jade
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You’re welcome.
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Great, Neil.
Observation posts in unusual places.
Constant reporting even. Tough to keep track.
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Thanks so much, Anita
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Great story, Neil. I really loved the fusion of history, with the mindset of your protagonist. I really felt myself there and was grateful for a bit of humanity in the madness of war.
Best wishes,
Rowena
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Thanks so much, Rowena
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A tough decision to make, but Leon must have been thinking about an even bigger picture than the one he was already faced with. A great take on an historical event, well done.
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Thanks so much, Heather
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Imagine that responsibility – for the lives of your comrades or the history of a great city. I wouldn’t like to be in his boots, but you took me right there.
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Thanks so much
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A powerful story, saying so much about bravery in so few words.
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Thanks so much
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Oh, the choices we make sometimes. Definitely feeling this one. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks so much, Anne
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