PHOTO PROMPT © Jean L. Hays
A 100-word story from long ago:
Water sluiced off her body as she sprang up from under a wave. The next rolling wall of water was translucent green, containing for a breathless moment an arching shadow. A dorsal fin. Her heart recognized the sweet smile.
“Look!” she cried to the others. “It’s my mother! I told you she’d come!”
Their ears were dulled by salt water. Laughter echoed across the waves.
“Scaredy brat! She thought it was a shark!”
“It’s just a dumb dolphin, babe!”
She didn’t care. The wave and its rider were gone. But there was a smile left behind in the sunlit sea.
Join the fun! Write a story of 100 words or less (Beginning, Middle, End) and post it online. Then click on the froggie and add your link at the bottom of the page. Read the other stories and tell us what you think! Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit. Thanks!
Genie in a Box: Words and thoughts from Eugenia Parrish, Author 
I think I’d confuse a shark for a dolphin and lose a limb. I agree with Susan’s comment. Very hard to work a story with 100 words. The tone and atmosphere is great.
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Thank you,Tannille. Those words are wonderful to hear. (read)
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I enjoyed reading this story, Eugenia.
Of course, we all know dolphins aren’t dumb but it was needed to show her frustration.
Nicely done … Be Safe
Isadora 😎
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Thank you so much! It was a struggle to get her frustration into those 100 words.
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I hear you. I flounder with the 100 words.
Have a lovely day.
Isadora 😎
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A sensory delight, this story.
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Thank you, Sandra, I’m glad you said that. I do try to make a story “sensory” -filled.
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I was a bit confused when I read this. The line: “Look!” she cried to the others. “It’s my mother! I told you she’d come!” – made me wonder if it was a young dolphin speaking.
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Hmm. Thanks for this; I’m going to go look at it. If I were to try and expand it to a short story, I’m not sure if your read isn’t more interesting than mine! At any rate, a confused reader is not good, so I do want to check it out and see what you mean. (A bit busy this morning, but wanted to thank you for the heads-up 🙂
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I liked how this finished, “a smile left behind”. It reminded me of the excitement people feel when dolphins appear along side a boat. A lovely reminder of the diverse world we inhabit.
(I do not know why my like does not appear above).
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Thank you, James. There is something that people I’ve talked to never lost after seeing them in the sea. It’s nothing like seeing them in captivity, even a reputable research center. By the way, I’m fine without the likes, especially if the same person goes on to give me a couple words of encouragement.
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Whether it was or not, it brightened her day 🙂
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Thanks, Draliman. It brightened my day to write it.
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I enjoyed the tone of the story. It really does not matter what others think, does it?
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We all need to remember (re-learn) that. Thank you!
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Belief is in the eye of the beholder. There will always be those who mock and dissent, that’s why it’s called ‘belief’. Nice one Eugenia.
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Thanks, Iain. A little belief can make life bearable, no?
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A magical tale, in all senses of the word
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Thank you 😊 I did want a bit of magic in it.
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like they say, you tend to see what you want to see. 🙂
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If it lightens your heart, why not? Thanks for reading ❤️
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Dear Genia ,
She knows what she saw. No one could or should take that away from her. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you! I sometimes worry that there isn’t enough “story” (beginning, middle, end) but there is background to this one, and I’m glad you saw it. She’s learning to overlook dissenting opinions.
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