Painted in bright colors, the two cow statues stood in the center of the square. They immediately drew the eye. It was like gravity.
They hadn’t always been so bright. Once they had been a dark bronze, untouched by the slightest speck of paint. They had been a symbol of strength and power, the crest of the Lord Mayor. Surrounded by a fence black as night, they struck fear into the hearts of all.
Then the revolution had come and everything had changed. All across the city, the old symbols were being covered by new. Evil was concealed, buried under flowers and hearts.
Paintbrushes tamed the cows, making them more absurd than imposing. Nobody feared them now.
But sometimes as people walked past the paint seemed to be stripped away and the terrible beasts of bronze glowered at them again.
Paint can only hide so much.
Word Count: 146
This is my entry for this week’s Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. Thanks to Priceless Joy for running the challenge and S Writings for providing the prompt photo.
This is great, J.A. Very chilling. “Paint can only hide so much.” Great story!
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Thank you!
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It’s no surprise that when dictators are toppled, so are their statues… Great take on the photo!
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Thank you!
Of course, when the toppling’s too much effort, a lick of paint will do the trick. 😉
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Yes, indeed 🙂
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I enjoy that paint could not strip them of their former strength and power. It’s like the new regime is like that paint only a garish short mistake, but truth and the power of the true leaders still show through in the bronze Bulls.
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Well, as with most things, I suppose it would depend on your perspective which regime was the “true” one. The Bulls would a symbol of truth and power to loyalists, but someone oppressed by the old regime might see them in a more sinister light. Who’s right and who’s wrong often becomes very complex question.
Thanks for commenting!
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I can see this happening during the hippie generation. Turning symbols on their heads have been a hallmark of the counter-movement.
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Hmm. I hadn’t connected it to the hippie generation when I was writing it, but you’re absolutely right.
Thanks for commenting! I love seeing the connections other people make.
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Brilliant. I see we think alike in the potential camouflage in the peace word and the bright paint scheme.
@Samantha/samratkel from
Shadow Realities
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Thank you! Just read yours and we do seem to be thinking some of the same things.
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