Up these winding stairs, there is a man who turns water into wine; a woman who knows all one- hundred-and-sixty-thousand names of the common moths; students poring over Hittite grammars. In these dingy little rooms, live endless ghosts of scholars and sages.
We do not know each other, and yet all of us are drawn here, funnelling silently together through the narrow passageway. All of us seek answers to our different torments.
A man in a black robe stands immobile in the courtyard. He speaks. “Go. Answers are cheap—It’s good questions that are hard to find,”
.
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,
Love that last line. Something to ponder.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks so much, Rochelle
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I really like the atmosphere in this, Neil. I’d like to know what happens next, for sure.
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Thanks so much, Jilly,
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The short definition of “science.”
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Ineed, it was a scientist who first said it to me
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Powerful last line, Neil. I’m sure you’re going to get lots of comments on that. Sometimes our questions are just–well, ignorant.
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Thanks so much, Linda
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Polished prose with a wise endcap.
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Thanks so much, Jade
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You’re very welcome 🙂
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Very philosophical. I love a story that makes you think.
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Thanks so much, Dawn
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Very mysterious, Neil. I really liked it. Great writing, truly.
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Thanks so much, David
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Move over Harry Potter! I wouldn’t mind hanging in these halls.
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But drawing and quartering are out?
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Coming up with the right questions. Yes that’s the key. I like your collection of scholars – very exotic.
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Thank so much, Margaret
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Super! Always thought questions were key to finding the answers – even on Google 🙂
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Thanks so much, Dahlia
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To be or not to be? That is a good question!
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42
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The ultimate question of life, the universe and everything as I recall!
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We’re going to need a better question
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It’s always more the question than the answer.
Great piece Neil
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Thanks so much, Laurie
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Thoughtful and timeless last line. How many answers circumvent the truth in a question?
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Thanks so much, James
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This line got me. “In these dingy little rooms, live endless ghosts of scholars and sages.” Who needs the internet when one can enter the haunted hall of knowledge?
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I’m glad the worked for you
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How true. Well done.
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Thanks so much, athling
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What question would I ask, I wonder – or you?
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Perhaps, “what question should I ask in order to be wise?”
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Children are much better at asking good questions until they grow up. 🙂
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That is very true
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So many unanswered questions in the world today.
Maybe we are too afraid to hear the awful truths.
This existence of ours is incomprehensible.
An excellent ‘thinking man’s story, Neil.
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Thanks so much
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For some reason, I’m unable to post on your site. This is what I would have said about your story “I can almost taste it”
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Love your reply.
Let me check into your inability to post on my site; maybe your comments are landing in spam.
Thanks, Neil.
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Well, I checked spam and your comments weren’t there.
Sorry, I’ve no idea what the problem might be.
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It happens with a few sites. I have no idea why
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