PHOTO PROMPT submitted by Courtney Wright. © Photographer prefers to remain anonymous.
“Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world.”
~ Marilyn Monroe
When I was a little girl, I used to clomp around in my mother’s black patent-leather high-heeled shoes and imagine I could conquer the world!
Decades later, my campfire flickers light on old, worn boots that have carried me all over the world. I rub muscle cramps from my calloused feet. That little girl conqueror in high-heels used to call them Charlie Horses.
This old woman didn’t conquer the world. I lost myself to it.
And conquered myself instead.
THE END
Friday Fictioneers is a compilation of writers from around the world who gather online weekly, guided by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. The challenge? To write a story in 100 words or less based on a new photo prompt.
And thanks for the photo prompt, Courtney Wright! Oh the places those boots must have seen! 🙂
To read more stories in an online flash fiction anthology by Friday Fictioneer authors, click:
Lovely wise words, Jan
Thank you, Neil!
Well done. She sounds very content and has found what she wanted for herself.
Thanks, Michael. Why conquer the world, if we haven’t conquered ourselves? 🙂
Dear Jan,
On the other hand, she who can conquer herself has conquered the world. I loved the mental image of the little girl in her mother’s patent leather pumps. Brings back memories. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you, Rochelle. I agree. Conquering one’s self is a greater accomplishment than conquering the world. Many who have sought to conquer the world, needed only to conquer themselves to be satisfied.
I remember wearing my mom’s heels and looking forward to having my own. Now? I love my sneakers best 🙂 I think maybe that’s conquering my own little corner of the world.
I could write pages and pages about my memories of wearing my mom’s heels, watching her put her makeup on and wishing I could be as pretty as she was. But, I, too, like my sneakers (and flip flops) best. 🙂
Mrs. Vanek, I think you need to take another look in the mirror. 😉 Just sayin’
Thank you, Rochelle. <3
Excellent!
Thank you, Ruthie! 🙂
Wonderful contrast between the young girl’s dreams and the older version’s reality. Nicely done Jan.
The beauty of aging is in the wisdom learned through the years as opposed to hopes and dreams of youth. 🙂
Love the weave of this story! the context of aging and wisdom is well conveyed. Really just enjoyed reading it, and reading it again.
Thank you, Jelli! 🙂
Love the character arc here, Jan. Excellent read.
Thank you, Varad. I love the challenge of a character arc in 100 words or less. 🙂
Wonderfully done. By conquering herself she has become the wiser for it.
Thank you, Subroto. I believe the greatest peace comes from conquering ourselves. The old woman taught me that. 🙂
I was hoping someone would wrote about a little girl in mother’s shoes!
I love that you conquered your self. It is harder!
Thank you! For some reason, it was the first image that came to mind. Perhaps it was the contrast.
She sounds so contented! Delightful Jan
My FriFic tale is called Jim and Jan!
You tell the story skilfully, making it real with the detail. Your narrator would be an interesting person to listen to, I should imagine.
Thank you so much, Penny! I often listen to that old narrator. 🙂 But then, I often listen to the little girl in high-heeled shoes, too.
Brilliant.
Thank you, Lisa! 🙂
Your old woman has the right attitude.
With age comes wisdom, right? 🙂
Everyone is a winner. I loved the idea where boots give you confidence to conquer the world.
Those boots were made for walking. . .and discovering. 🙂
Huzzuh! This is one strong chick.
After many years and miles. 🙂 Thanks for reading!
She must have wonderful stories to tell. OF living her life on her own terms. Beautifully done, Jan.
Thank you, Dale! I may not have such adventurous stories to tell, but I have a character I can ask. 🙂
Fun stuff!!
Oh the tales she much have to tell. Well done!
Thank you, Donna! I love “listening” to her tales. 🙂
Gosh Jan! This is wonderful story – Shoes make a woman? Marilyn Monroe knew it. Mine have always been old. Good story and enjoyable!
Thank you, Nan! My shoes seem to have symbolized my life through the years. They’re very comfortable now. 🙂
Beautiful, Jan. So very well written. I “got” her straight away.
Thank you, Jilly! 🙂