She loved the sea-things the best: the sponges, the shells, the seaweed. She kept them on a little table where she could always see them.
But they were sad things too. The sponges were dry. The seaweed was brittle. The shells were hollow as promises.
How she hated promises. How she hated her life. A deep, roiling hate, a storm-hate, a tide-hate.
She was lured from her home, from her sisters singing in the deep, from the crashing waves, by the promises of the land.
Night after night, she lay cursing the legs she traded her world for.
Word Count: 98
This is for Friday Fictioneers. Thanks to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for running the challenge and Sandra Cook for providing the prompt photo!
There is so much emotions flowing through in this piece. A very rounded character & it’s easy for a reader to feel the pain she is going through.
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Thank you!
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Such a sad tale. Promises are dangerous things indeed.
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Thank you! Promises are more dangerous than threats sometimes.
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I liked the shells hollow as promises. Maybe it’s what lives in them that’s important
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That’s very clever and very true. Thanks for commenting!
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The sense of deep regret comes across loud and clear. Well told story.
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Thanks!
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Nice word choice with the rolling – storm – tide hates
And I ache for this main character – maybe some good things are in store that will assuage things
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Thank you!
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The little Mermaid is finally realizing that adulting, and human life, is not all that it is touted to be.
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The Little Mermaid was certainly in my mind as I wrote. Thanks for commenting!
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My grand-daughter is mesmerised by mermaids at the moment. She’ll love this.
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I hope she did! Thanks for commenting!
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Sense dawning after immense suffering! Still paying price for bad decisions of past.
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Sadly, we all have to pay the price for our mistakes.
Thanks for commenting!
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“Little Mermaid” after the fanfare is gone…love it. A great change of perspective!
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Your story is an excellent take on the myths of mermaids becoming human. I love the way you pivot on the ‘shells empty as promises’ into the second part of your story. The first part is poignant nostalgia; the empty promises take us to curses and despair. Really well managed!
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Thank you!
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Great…I did not expect the mermaid angle,
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I have to agree with Penny (and everyone else), Beautifully done!
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Thank you!
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A sad ending for the Little Mermaid 🙂
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A sad ending indeed. Thanks for commenting!
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A cautionary tale to be careful what you wish for. Nicely done.
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Thank you!
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Of course, she would love the sea-things the best! Memories of home. What a great way to begin a cautionary tale.
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Thank you!
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I love the imagery. “The shells hollow as promises” is a powerful phrase. A life she didn’t ask for and deceived into living. Well-written!
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Thank you!
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