COVERGIRLS |
The Rules:
- no more than 300 words
- use commotion, chill, curse, cocoon, and virus
- post between Oct. 24 and Oct. 28
- follow the COVERGIRLS
In the legend, a curse befell a large, blue diamond, eventually called the Hope Diamond, when someone lifted it from an idol in India. From then on anyone who touched that jewel had horrible luck or a horrible death. The stories are interesting, but most likely the Hope Diamond had nothing to do with those tragedies. However, this myth had everything I needed to jump start my Flash Fiction. I’m titling it. . .
THE NEWBIE
“It has been over three hundred years,” Sita shouted. The commotion in the chamber ceased, and her followers humbled themselves before her. “My patience is ended. One week, then I take charge.”
A deathly chill fell over the assembly. They cringed under her glare and didn’t move. Not one person doubted Sita’s power. She conjured curses that reached around the world—a virus in India, a plague in England, a revolution in France—all bringing lives to a sudden and horrible end.
Everyone knew she would wipe them out just as quickly, just as horribly if they didn’t finally restore her jewel.
She stepped down from the dais and the congregation parted. They gave her a wide path and dared not raise their eyes.
The chamber echoed with the heavy thud of the doors closing behind their goddess.
The eldest minister, looking pale, called his Jewel Recovery Committee to him. “My office. Now.”
They huddled over the conference table, hatched schemes, then discarded them.
“Been done.”
“Ineffective.”
“Too dangerous.”
Then a new minister, Shanti, one steeped in magic and benevolence, raised his hand. “I think we should ask them to give it back.”
“Ask?” The ministers inhaled as one.
“Have you tried that?” Shanti asked.
“Never.” They said.
“Then how about, I give it a shot?”
Nobody objected, but a lot of eye-rolling went on.
The young minister caught the next plane to the U.S. When he arrived, he went straight to the Palace of Archives. There he asked for Sita’s jewel. The man in charge said no.
Shanti smiled and held out a tiny, glittery cocoon on his palm. “Give me the jewel, and I will give you something much more valuable.”
The man inspected the object. “What is it?”
“World peace.”
Sita got her jewel back.
Visit some others and have some fun. Happy Halloween.
VIKLIT |
Celebrating Small Things
- I’m almost ready for my trip to Myanmar (I prefer Burma and so does the U.S. government so it seems.)
- My typhoid shot was painless with no side effects
- I haven’t had a computer glitch in three days.
Tyrean Martinson says
Happy Blitz Day!!!
Loni Townsend says
Great piece of flash fiction, Lee!
Jackie says
Nice piece!!! Thanks for participating in Spooktoberfest!
Elizabeth Seckman says
I'm ba ck again, just to say Happy Blitz 🙂
Michelle Wallace says
Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes X million… to World Peace!
Trip to Myanmar? Sounds great! Enjoy!
L.G. Keltner says
That was a great story! I'd give the jewel back in exchange for world peace any day! I hope you enjoy your trip!
Debra McKellan says
Ahh, good ending. 🙂
Have a safe trip!
Dani says
The ending was perfect and sets the mood for you to continue. What a twist of fate!! Great entry!
Nas says
Your story sounds awesome. Enjoy the trip.
Medeia Sharif says
A cool ending to your story. Enjoy your trip.
DMS says
I think world peace is an excellent trade!
Glad you are ready for your trip and that you have been having smooth sailing with the computer for a few days. Yeah!
~Jess
Suzanne Sapsed says
Loved the tale -hmm, wish I could believe that any government would trade something priceless for world peace. Cynic, me? Lol! Have a lovely holiday 🙂 x
Beverly Stowe McClure says
Yes, world peace would be more valuable than most anything. Great story. Your trip sounds great. Have a good time.
Shooting Stars Mag says
Ooh lovely ending! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Elizabeth Seckman says
I didn't see that coming coming! Have fun on your trip 🙂
J. Lenni Dorner says
Ha. I love the ending. That's perfect.
Yvonne Ventresca says
Fun story! I admire your creativity.
Yvonne
Stephanie Faris says
Great job! YAY to Halloween stories. You've probably been told this before but you have a talent for realistic dialogue.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Stephanie. It's always nice to hear when I get something right. You're the best.
Romance Reader says
Loved the story and sounds fun blog hop.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks for the visit. That's always great to hear from writers of romance–something I steer clear of writing. For good reason, too. I'm lousy at it.
Laura Clipson says
Great story, thanks for sharing!
Marcia says
A jewel is a great story starter, I think!
C. Lee McKenzie says
And what a jewel!
Suzanne Furness says
Great story. Enjoy your trip away, glad the shots were painless!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Shots are always the worst part of a journey.
Lexa Cain says
So well written, Lee! I'm not surprised though – your work is always a joy to read. I hope you have a pleasant and safe trip to Burma/Myanmar. Take pics and share! 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
Wow! Thanks, Lexa. That's very kind of you. I do have to pack, but just keep putting it off.
dolorah says
I like such a simple solution, ask, and give a gift. Nicely written.
Have a good trip.
C. Lee McKenzie says
It does sound simple. Just wish that were the case.
Cathrina Constantine says
World Peace would be a Godsend!!! Have a fantastic trip!!!
C. Lee McKenzie says
We need Shanti here now.
Mere Joyce says
Such a fun bloghop, and a great little story!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Hope all is well at your house with your new baby. Seems like it is from your posts.
Tyrean Martinson says
Excellent story!
And, I love your celebrations! Have a wonderful trip!!!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Tyrean. It's a scramble now to put stuff into a suitcase.
Hilary Melton-Butcher says
Hi Lee – great story and world peace is definitely worth the world and all its riches – what a swap. Very clever .. cheers and have a happy weekend – Hilary
Hilary Melton-Butcher says
Hi Lee – great story and world peace is definitely worth the world and all its riches – what a swap. Very clever .. cheers and have a happy weekend – Hilary
C. Lee McKenzie says
Back to you, Hilary. Wouldn't it be nice if that cocoon existed and was easily traded for less valuable things?
Felicity Nichols says
Interesting story.
Crystal Collier says
I LOVE that. Super awesome story, Lee. I'd love to spend more time with this wise Shanti.
Unleashing the Dreamworld
C. Lee McKenzie says
Old Shanti doesn't get a lot of attention in the world these days.
Catherine Stine says
A Jewel Recovery Committee! Good one!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Glad you caught my tongue in cheek stuff, Catherine.
Dani and Jax says
Oooooh, nice twist at the end. No wonder things have been going the way the are! Thanks for joining Spooktoberfest!
C. Lee McKenzie says
It was fun. Some good stories came out of this.
Marilyn Parel says
Enjoy Burma! Yea to no computer glitches. They drive me mad.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Marilyn. Gotta pack pretty soon.
DRC says
Now we know why the titanic hit that iceburg. (The Jewel of the Sea? Heart of the Ocean? See what I did there…??? lol) But in all seriousness, great piece. 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
Yep. And I'll bet it had to do with that guy hanging by a rope in your character's room. Chilling story, DRC.
L. Diane Wolfe says
Does that mean when the cocoon opens, the butterfly of peace comes out?
C. Lee McKenzie says
Must be!
Dixie@dcrelief says
That's quite a tale! Good for you.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Loved your car tower. Had to offer up a title. Thanks for stopping by.
Dixie@dcrelief says
Oh thank you for that. I'll have a look later today!!
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
World peace is definitely more valuable!
C. Lee McKenzie says
If only that were possible!