pixabay images modified by author
The Carrot Ranch Literary Community ran a Flash Fiction Rodeo during October. The variety of prompts were loads of fun. As the competition closes and the winners are announced, I’m delighted to share my contributions.
Challenge #1: Cast yourself back to six years of age, knowing what you do of life in the present; what would you want to be when you grow up and how would you go about achieving that goal? Tell us in 100 words, no more no less. It can be real or imaginary, serious or light-hearted.
I will dig a well
When I grow up, I want to dig a well as deep as the Baobab is tall. With my hands, I’ll fill buckets and pass them up a ladder to my sisters’ eager fingers. Water will rise, turning the dry dirt to mud, and I’ll hold my breath and labor in the earth’s wet coolness. And on the day my well draws pure and clear, the village will sing, but praise is not what will lift my song. That day, my mother won’t walk to the ditch to reap sickness with our water, and my sisters will dance to school.
***
To read Hugh Robert’s winning submission click here: Carrot Ranch
Myths of the Mirror 
A powerful piece of writing, Diana. The faces of so many Third World children passed before me as I read this. Outstanding ❤
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Thanks, Tina. They pass before my eyes too. What a difference a well would make to their lives and futures. I wanted to convey the dreams and hopes of this child. 🙂 Have a lovely weekend!
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Truly, it takes so little to make a good life ❤
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This fiction is so REAL and so TRUE and has my heart clutched in sadness and hope for that young girl…. for all young ones faced with this kind of hope and love for family. May she dance… ❤
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Thanks for reading, Pam. I think about these struggles frequently and the subject seemed perfect for the prompt. After writing it, I made a donation, so I get to help dig a well. 🙂 Happy Writing, my friend.
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❤ PEREFECT.
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You have got a very special magic in your writing D! Thanks this is beautiful!!
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Thanks, Hector. I had a blast with this competition and got to stretch the writing skills a little. It’s funny how personal this piece became to me… so I made a donation to a org that digs wells in Africa. I’m helping to dig a well. ❤
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Wow brilliant!! Congrats D!
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Beautiful Diana. It must have been a difficult choice for judges leaving out something this most worthy entry. ❤
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Hugh’s submission is so wonderful though. 🙂 It was a blast, Debby, and I liked stretching as the prompts got more difficult. Thanks for reading and Happy Friday!
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Oh, I absolutely love Hugh’s stories. It’s so hard to pick one winner with so many stories in different genres. I entered it too, and #3, that was the most I could squeeze in during what’s turned out to be a most chaotic month. 🙂 Happy Friday back at ya! 🙂 xx
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I thought of you with those memoir prompts. I’m glad you entered!
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I couldn’t resist. 🙂 x
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This is cool. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks for stopping by to read! I’m glad you enjoyed my little piece of flash. 🙂 Have a great day!
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Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
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Thank you so much for sharing my post. 😀 Have a lovely day!
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Wow I love your writing. While I haven’t been around the blogosphere for a bit, I’ve been devouring your books! (Just started Melding of Aeris a day ago).
Thank you sooo much for the refreshing drink of life you share with us!
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Thanks for the lovely comment, Gabe, and it’s great to see you back again. I was envious of your summer hiking! And, of course, I’m just thrilled that you’re enjoying my books. Aeris is a different one and I’ll be curious what you think. 🙂
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I loved your story, Diana. I hope the dream gets realised too!
I also participated in all of the Rodeos and really stretched myself. It was a great experience for me, stepping out of my comfort zone, big time! 🙂
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Of good, Judy. Congrats! I did all but the comedy. I tried, but unlike you, I can’t write funny! I also stretched with these prompts, which was part of the fun. Good luck and Happy Writing!
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It was fun though, wasn’t it? I know you can write funny as I saved an article you wrote that, although you were making a serious point about characters cussing, you used some hilarious examples of ‘insults’ that did not use swear words. https://mythsofthemirror.com/2016/03/04/those-darn-cussing-characters/
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Well, thanks. I can be tongue in cheek but a story… I leave that to the wits like you. Are you going to post yours?
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I hadn’t thought about it, but I might do 🙂
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What a dream. I hope many young village girls have the same dream, Diana.
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Thanks, Jacqui. I do too. I loved the challenges and the prompts got more and more interesting. In honor of the dream, I donated to The Water Project which digs wells in Africa. 🙂
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Lovely story and writing, Diana. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thanks, Suzanne. I dove into these challenges and had such fun with them. I’m glad you enjoyed my mini-story. 🙂
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Thanks so much for sharing a link to my story Diana, and also to my blog. I appreciate it very much.
I loved your heartwarming story of a struggle for something that many us take for granted. Congratulations on entering this and the other five you entered. I only managed to enter three of them, so must congratulate everyone who had a go.
Best wishes,
Hugh
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Your story is wonderfully magical and heartwarming, Hugh. I’m not surprised by your win in the least. Good luck on your other entries! This was such fun 🙂
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What a lovely story, Diana. I note from your comments it was a boy digging the well, and I pictured a girl working with her sisters as I read it. Amazing what you did with 100 words! I read Hugh’s winning entry, too, which packed a punch!
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I was thinking a boy, Molly, but some readers interpreted it as a girl, which also works! I love how that happens and it’s totally okay. It’s one of the cool things about writing… how the reader picks up where the writer left off and fills in all the blanks. So, in a way, stories are collaborative. I love that! Thanks so much for stopping by to read. 🙂
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Beautiful!
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Thank you, Arlene. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. 😀
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Poignant words! I love it! Thanks also for arousing awareness of Carrot Ranch!
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I just discovered the ranch myself when this competition started. They have monthly flash fiction prompts and more, I’m sure. I still need to explore the site. Give it a look. And thanks so much for reading my entry. I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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Love it, love it! Your words (even without the photo) brings to mind images of Africa, where little girls still dream of a brighter future. Brilliant and heartwarming story, Diana. Thank you!
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Thank you, Khaya. Aside from the health aspects, having to walk miles for water can prevent girls from attending school. We all need to dig a few wells 🙂 Have a wonderful day, my friend ❤
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Diana, your multi-dimensional talent of writing amazes me! From dark fiction to such a heart- rending micro story brimming with love and compassion is remarkable. Loved it. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
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Thanks for the wonderful comment, Balroop. That’s so sweet of you. When I think of the worldview of children, I can’t help but go to a place that is full of heroism and hope. ❤ Happy Writing!
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great stuff!
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Thanks, Duke. I’m glad you enjoyed the mini-story. I’ve become rather fond of this character. Have a great day.
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I love your writing. I’m trying to figure out what to do with mine.
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Unique and beautiful, Diana.
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Thank you, Mary. I was completely absorbed by the prompts especially as they got harder. More to come. 🙂
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I’d like to experiment (for myself) with a 99 or 100 word story, but I don’t think I have it in me. One day I shall see. You, on the other hand, are great at it.
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Next year! I’m sure you’d be a whiz at it.
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Excellent, Diana. Really wonderful.
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Hi Jennie. Thanks so much for stopping by, and I’m thrilled that you enjoyed the little story. I had a great time with the challenges. 🙂 Happy Thursday!
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My pleasure, Diana!
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This is so beautiful, Diana! Freshwater is such a precious commodity, especially in many areas of the world as is the plight of many of the world’s children. This is a great piece to make people think about such an issue. xo
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Thanks so much for reading, Lana. Water is a challenge for so many, and I’m afraid that it will get worse before it gets better. I enjoyed taking the issue and personalizing it as the dream of a child for his family. ❤
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Very thoughtful and lovely! Such meaning held in this writing
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Thanks for the visit, Lynn. I’m glad you enjoyed my effort. 🙂 Have a wonderful evening. ❤
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Well done, Diana. Very enjoyable reading. 🙂
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Thanks, Steven. It’s hard for me to skinny down my style, but a great exercise. I enjoyed the whole challenge and hopefully they’re do it again next year so more writers can give it a go… (hint hint). Happy Writing. 😀
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Diana, thank you for this beautiful and pure story about strength and
love from a young girl for her siblings and mother.
I was so happy when that water finally flowed.
miriam
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Thanks, Miriam. I’m so glad you enjoyed the little story. I think the water does flow eventually but maybe not until she’s older and maybe not for her family but for the next. I’m so glad you picked up on the love – that’s part of the real story. 🙂 Thanks for the visit. Happy Writing!
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Congratulations, Diana. A lovely piece full of hope and promise. Well-deserved. 🙂
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Thanks, Sebnem. I didn’t win this one… though I loved all the whole experience… so I feel like I won anyway. Ha ha. I’m glad you enjoyed the piece. Happy Writing!
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What a beautiful story that expresses hope in the hardship. Thank you for adding to the quality (and difficulty of judging) this contest. I hope you will be a part of the compilation!
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Thanks for the lovely comment, Charli. Will you be posting about the compilation at some point? (Or did I miss it? 🙂 ) I can’t imagine why I wouldn’t want to participate. Thanks again for the writing adventure. ❤
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Right now I’m compiling (sorting) all the entries, names and emails. We want to publish a small ebook after realizing we had such great writing and enough for a small collection. It will help us cover costs for prizes next year and for publishing rather than posting. As such, I’ll be emailing everyone to ask permission to publish! And, some may not want to. Copyright always stays with the writer, but some writers might have other plans for their work.
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Thanks for the reply. A great idea. 🙂
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Reblogged this on Truth Troubles.
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❤
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I like this, very good piece of work, I enjoyed the read so I am going to reblog it for you.
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Thank you so much for the kind comment and the reblog! The whole event was great fun and challenging and I’m glad you enjoyed my effort. 🙂 Have a wonderful day.
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Oh, this is poetry. Beautiful.
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Thanks so much, Robert. It’s a subject that I care about so it was an easy decision for the prompt. 🙂 Water and hope are both precious. Have a lovely evening. ❤
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The revelation of why the child has this wish is powerful.
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Very loving, indeed. I think children are naturally generous and caring when they are raised in a community of love. It’s why the world still has hope ❤
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And they are right to think they can help to make life better for the people they love.
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Love this. Makes me “feel” and “see” because you have the gift of words to make it so.
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Aww. Thanks, Ann, for the kind comment. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂 It was a fun challenge and I did my best. Have a lovely day ❤
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Your ability to not only capture “childhood dream” but a voice that feels authentic to the culture was stunning. I could hear the spoken voice of this child in my head as I read.
Thing is, as you’ve noted throughout the comments below, this is “fiction” — but the need is not. I said so in reply to another comment elsewhere here, but it bears repeating: thank you for keeping compassion limber and keeping our worldview large.
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Thanks Erik. Thank you for the note that I captured the voice of the child and culture. That’s what I was going for. And it was hard to fit into 100 words! Yes, a real problem that I hear about quite a bit and inspired this piece. I’m so glad it spoke to you!
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I love your writing so much Diana! Fantastic little story. xo
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Thanks, Kathryn. The prompts got more and more interesting as the competition went forward. The only one I didn’t do was the comedy one. I just can’t write funny! Ha ha. Happy Wednesday 😀
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A wonderfully compelling piece of writing. So much packed in to so few words. Excellent job!
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Thanks, Mae. I should have been working on my WIP, but this flash competition was too fun to pass up. And now I have 7 posts set to go, too. Can’t beat that. I’m glad you enjoyed my little story. ❤
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Very nice. Once again combining sadness with joy.
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I’m glad you enjoyed the piece. I have a feeling this little boy got the job done when he grew up, maybe not for his family, but for the next. 🙂 Thanks for reading!
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Indeed, I hope so.
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Such lovely thoughts in this beautiful piece of writing, Diana. ♥️
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Thanks, Iris. It’s funny how these characters who visit so briefly take up room in my heart. I’m glad that came across. Happy poeting!
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I love this in every way. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
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Thanks, Sheri. I got swept up in the prompts and loved playing along. I’m so glad you enjoyed this one. More to go! ❤
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Wonderful! Such a unique prompt, too.
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Thanks, Carrie. The prompts got quite interesting and challenging as the competition continued, which made it more and more fun. 🙂 I’m so glad you enjoyed this one. Have a wonderful day and Happy Writing!
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Diana, you captured the child’s voice and dream perfectly.
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Thank you, Bernadette. That was my aim 🙂 I think when kids are young they think they can dig to the other side of the world! Little heroes. I’m so glad you enjoyed the story. ❤
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Diana this a beautiful and poignant dream. It says so very much.
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Thank you, Brigid. Access to clean water is, sadly, still a dream for many. I hope lots of little boys and girls grow up to dig their wells, whatever that means to them. Have a wonderful day and happy dreaming 🙂
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Diana, a wonderfully moving piece, full of love, tenderness and care. Beautiful detail and emotion in so few words…well done. I’ve seen this competition around but hadn’t realised the judging was finished…off to read Hugh’s winning entry.
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Thanks for sweet comment, Annika. Yes, the competition is over, and one week at a time the winners are being announced. I hope you give it a try if they do it again next year. It was a lot of fun. 😀
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I definitely will do…this time round I was busy with editing. Manuscript now sent off and publication early December -fingers crossed! I look forward to taking part in this competition next year! 😀
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Awesome. And so exciting about your manuscript! I’m going to take a break after my first draft to do some reading about then. Great timing!
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That would be wonderful!! 😀😀
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Well done Diana! This really is magnificent and wonderful for my Wednesday lunch break. Hugs.
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Thanks, Teagan. One of the side benefits of the competition is now I have 7 posts ready! Yay. I’m glad you enjoyed my little story. Enjoy the rest of your day, and Happy Writing. 🙂 Hugs!
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Inspiring and engaging!
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Thanks, Brad. I got caught up in all these flash challenges to the detriment of other writing goals! Ha ha. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂 Happy Writing!
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No detriment here. You traded a little writing time elsewhere to keep your compassion — and ours — limber and our definition of “we/us” broad.
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Thanks, Erik. Something a basic as clean water can change whole lives. Someday I’ll dig a well. 🙂
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Always interesting to read your words. I love the idea, very unique.
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Thank you for the lovely comment, Christina. This competition was a lot of fun and challenging. I struggle to do anything in just 100 words. Ha ha. Happy Writing!
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Oh, so beautiful!
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Thanks, Holly. I’ve grown fond of this little boy and his dreams. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Happy Writing!
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Same to you Diane!
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This is beautiful, Diana. Thank you for sharing with us!
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I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Jill. The prompts were great fun and challenging too. Happy Writing!
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A lovely piece, Diana. I loved the African theme in this short story and it was very original.
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Thanks, Robbie. I was watching a news show about the challenges faced by families who don’t have access to clean water. I could feel that simple wish. I think, when he grew up, he dug that well. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. A tremendously fun competition. 🙂
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Beautifully written! Well done!
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Thanks! Yay! I’m glad you enjoyed it. The prompts were all different and great fun. More to come. 🙂
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Glad to hear!
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Diana, your contribution is beautiful. Throughout, your words merge to create images in the mind, and you end of a note of sweet tenderness that speaks to the human soul. Your writing is incredible.
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Thanks so much for the kind comment, Lenora. I could picture the boy digging as I wrote it and what a wonderful dream for his family. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
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I could picture it too!
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What a lovely wish and a worthy use of knowledge.
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Thanks, Allie. I think kids want to be heroes, and for this child it was building a well. I imagine when he got older he did just that. 🙂 Happy Writing!
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I would like to believe the same.
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I absolutely adore this, Diana. ❤ (They must have had their hands full choosing a winner!) This is gorgeous.
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I bet they did! Hugh’s story is quite wonderful and so deserving., Sarah. I had a blast with the promps… the whole writing process and now reading the judges’ selections. Yay. 😀
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Your contribution is eloquent and exactly what I would expect from you. Love it so much because your heart shines through each word. You are so talented, and once again, I am in awe. ❤️ Hugh’s story made me gasp…did not see that coming! 😳 Thanks for sharing!! Hope you are having a fabulous day, D!! xo
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Thanks so much for stopping by to read, Tanya. I went with fiction, but it was still a story from the heart. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. And Hugh has a great imagination – his stories are always lots of fun. 🙂 Have a great day!
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