With the first golden leaves of autumn, he came.
He made no announcement. Nobody saw him arrive. One day he was simply there: an old man, about four feet in height, with a curling white beard. His cap was dark crimson and his coat was bright orange.
At first, they tried to make him leave, as they would with any stranger who’d shown up in their shed. He refused to listen to them, maintaining that this was where he would stay for the season, no matter what they said.
They called the police, but when they arrived in their blue uniforms, truncheons in hand, he was nowhere to be seen. The moment the police were gone, he was back, a defiant smile on his face.
So he stayed put until winter’s cold shook the branches bare.
As the first frost formed on the window panes, he vanished into the night.
Word Count: 150
This is for Flash Fiction for the Aspiring Writer. Thanks to Priceless Joy for running the challenge and to Phylor for proving the prompt photo!
Very mysterious, nice sense of tone. Excellent.
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Thank you!
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I like how you created mystery and engagement with your story…well done..
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Thanks!
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Hmm, I really wonder who he is. Good read!
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Thank you!
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Love this mysterious story! Made me think of Jack Frost only this man is Jack Fall. Great story!
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Thank you! Something like that was what I had in mind.
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I wondered if you had that in mind! 🙂
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A bit of mystery. I agree with Iain, nice tone.
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Thank you!
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Oooh so are we ever going to find out who the mysterious stranger is? Is magic afoot? Very intriguing tale!
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Eerie!! I wonder what happens next. 😀
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Thanks! I’m not quite sure what would happen next.
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Seasons come and go on their own schedule I suppose.
Ellespeth
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True! Thanks for commenting!
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fantastic read! loved the mystery and that little man who disappeared and reappeared and smiled a cheeky smile, he was on a mission. but what? keeping me guessing thats the best part about this story. NICE!
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Thank you! I’m glad you liked it.
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Wonderfully mysterious story, JA. The old man sounds like he might be the personification of autumn to me. 🙂
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Thanks! He might be. 😉
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Really nice, love the imagery created in this.
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Thanks!
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Very interesting. I picture a little gnome like man staying in the shed for the winter. Something a bit mysterious and with magic capabilities. Nice write!
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Thank you!
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ohh! One more story to link to mine as a beginning… Niiiceee! http://www.moipensieve.com/fffaw/picture-worth-saving-lifetime/
Loved the mystery…
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Thank you! I like how yours shows the different stages and attitudes of life through little snapshots. Very clever.
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Thank you for reading the story. Our lives are always in phases right, perspective of things that’s close to heart does change over time.
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I really like this. You’ve cleverly created a little ‘Autumn Man’. He seems to be to autumn what Jack Frost is to winter. Great description of him and his clothing.
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Thank you! Autumn Man was what I was thinking.
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Curiouser and curiouser. I wonder where he went..
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A very good question… Thanks for commenting!
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