PHOTO PROMPT © DOUGLAS M. MACILROY
Heavy chains clanked about, swinging from rusty metal. Remnants of a contraption that once delighted every kid in town. Soon to be scrap metal.
Voices echoed in Yusuf’s mind from a time long gone.
“Dont be a chicken!” Reza had taunted him. Yusuf was game and had sprinted through the crowds towards it.
They didn’t know each other but were like best friends that day. Reza’s family had driven down from the north for the carnival.
As they dismantled the old machine Yusuf thought that had they remained friends they would have gotten into all sorts of trouble together.
99 words
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I wrote this while in transit in Hong Kong international airport. Not my usual FF writing spot.. so I struggled a bit with this prompt. But I missed last week due to travelling and didn’t want to repeat that. Took me several rewrites though I blame typing on the phone, and airport announcements for this particular struggle. 😉
The metal contraption in the prompt reminded me of carnival rides and I have friendship on my mind lately. So that’s where my mood took me.
Written for Fiday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle. Where the challenge is to write a full story in 100 words or less.
Click the blue frog to read more flash fiction.
Fajr, Books & That First Cuppa 
Well done for sticking with the prompt, despite your tricky circumstances! Lovely, nostalgic journey you took us on too. A snatched memory that stuck. Lovely
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Thank you, Lynn!
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My pleasure 🙂
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I loved the almost wistful nostalgia that you’ve conjured with your story. Beautifully done!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thank you, Susan!
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We all have friends from our childhood who flitted in and out our lives, but we remember them for the years to come. Nice piece.
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I find it so intriguing how we come into contact with seemingly random strangers. And they have some impact on us. Thank you, Iain. Glad you enjoyed it and related to it.
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I could picture the action feel the excitement. Good writing.
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Thank you, Granonine! Much appreciated.
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There is something in your story reminding me of the kite rider… splendid.
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Do you mean the Kite Runner? Thrilled to have reminded you of such a great novel and writer! Thank you, Björn.
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That was a lovely take, Fatima. Reminiscing about the possibilities…
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I do love possibilities. Not so much those in the past. 🙂 Thanks, Dale!
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It’s amazing how sometimes people and moments live on in random( and otherwise valueless) objects.
Beautiful story, Fatima.
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The associations we make of people with objects are intriguing, Moon. Thank you for reading!
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Dear Fatima,
Being in transit didn’t keep you from writing a good story. There are always those might-have-been’s we ponder, aren’t there?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Those might-have-been’s can haunt us for the rest of our lives too. Depending on the situation. Well I’m glad my story turned out okay. Thank you, Rochelle 🙂
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You’ve constructed this story very nicely – or should I say ‘these stories’ because you have one in the past and one in the present, and you’ve slotted them together with great skill. Lovely work!
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Oh thank you, Penny! Glad it worked out for the story 🙂
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I know what you mean. I wrote a few in transit while shuttling between cities due to work.
Nice story, we’ve had our childhoods touched by such friends, strangers we meet at events, functions, journeys and then never meet again.
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They are mini-relationships and friendships of our lives. Kudos to you for writing while commuting and in transit. I found it quite difficult. My two spots are at work and at home, that’s where I get my best writing done. Thank you for reading.
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Well done to capture a memory so nicely when you were not in the easiest of places to concentrate :))
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Thank you, Jilly!
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Very easy to relate to. Great story.
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You did well despite the distractions.
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Thank you, Liz! I’m glad you think so 🙂
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Actually, I enjoyed this story. It is well written. Good one!
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I’m glad you did! Thank you for reading and commenting. 🙂
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Nice slice of nostalgia. I’ve written many stories on my phone at airports, primarily due to my habit of turning up almost half a day before a flight 🙂
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Half a day? You don’t take any risks do you? But better than to miss a flight, costly mistake. Thanks for the kind comment too 🙂
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I might have been exaggerating a bit, of course, but it sure does seem half a day 🙂
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I loved this story. I’ve had a couple of occasions in my life where I immediately clicked with a total stranger. The connection seemed almost magical at the time, a natural attraction for both of us. Upon parting, we both promised to get together again, but those promises evaporated into the mist leaving only a tender memory behind.
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I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Russell. When we click with strangers it does seem magical indeed.
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It is wonderful when those moments happen, when we meet somebody and feel as if we have always been friends. Well written.
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Thank you!
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