PHOTO PROMPT © Carla Bicomong
Some found the thought unbearable and couldn’t bring themselves to do it, though like thousands of others, they’d traveled to this sacred place intending to release a burden.
With trembling hands, one man attempted to place his smart phone on the tiny boat of light.
A young woman approached. “You can do it,” she whispered.
“I can’t!” he cried, grabbing the phone. He held it up to take a picture. “Beautiful. I’m sharing on Facebook.”
The woman walked to the shore and took a stranger’s hand. “Beautiful, isn’t it?” she said.
A thousand lights twinkled in the stranger’s eyes. “Indeed.”
THE END
100 Words
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.
To read more stories in an online flash fiction anthology by Friday Fictioneer authors, click:
It can be hard to let go
Definitely, Neil. I’m afraid I might have been one of those with my phone in the air.
Amazing. Wow. I. Love. This!
Thank you, my friend. <3
Dear Jan,
This made me laugh and cringe at the same time. I’ll echo Linda. Wow.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you, Rochelle. It comes from my own experiences with experiencing visual beauty. I’m always tempted to be that one to snap a photo and share it. But at least I think about what’s lost in doing so. 🙂
Great moment here, Jan. The imagery is splendid.
Thanks, Josh. I have to give credit to the splendid photo prompt! 🙂
Funny, and at the same time, an indictment on society and the times we live in. Excellent Jan.
Unfortunately, Iain, I must consider myself indicted. Hard habit to break.
Oh, how I love this! The girl certainly was much wiser and more sensitive than the iPhone-addicted man!
She is the woman I strive to be in such beautiful moments. Sadly, I must admit, I may be more like the man. Hard to let go!
This was beautiful.
Thank you, Stu! 🙂
A well told story which makes one ask questions about modern addictions.
Thank you, Michael. It’s an addiction I’ve often worked to kick.
I wrote something similar.
I liked your story a lot, James. Very timely!
That was funny and sad at the same time. The woman and the stranger know what counts in life.
It’s the life outside technology that counts, if we’d only give ourselves a chance to experience it fully. Hard to break the temptation of snapping the photo and sharing it though!
Very well told. I hope I’d have the strength to be the one with the thousand lights in my eyes instead of the one with the thousand likes on Facebook…
Me, too, Trent. It’s kind of sad that it would even be a struggle.
I feel sad for the man who couldn’t let go, who snatched up his phone rather than living in that moment. Truly looking is a wonder and a joy. Lovely work Jan
Sometimes I don’t realize the sadness until I come upon something of beauty and see the “trash” of everyone holding their phones up to take a picture. And I can’t judge, because I’m often one of them.
It’s hard to be in the moment, it’s true. Perhaps we’re afraid of letting things slide away from us too – memory can be flawed and only seems perfect in dreams.
So many of us forget to enjoy the moment… and feel that capturing it on our phones will make it last… Beautifully done.
I suppose we’re afraid we won’t sufficiently remember the moment if we don’t snap a photo. Perhaps if we allowed ourselves to fully experience it, we would remember better!
Probably – though I’m guilty of the snapping! 😏
Keep the cellphone, lose the girl.
Who knows what might be lost for the decisions we make? 🙂
Truly magical.
Thank you, Anurag. I have to give credit to the magical photo!
I love that she seems to have found a kindred spirit. A tender, thoughtful story.
Those “selfies” and other photos can be tempting, as your story also mentioned Jilly. I really enjoyed the message in yours.
Ha! Ha! Nice one. Reality is overrated, life is better on Facebook anyway.
Life certainly appears better on Facebook. 🙂
Oh! I really felt sad for the man addicted to his iPhone! You’ve constructed the story very well, Jan, to contrast the man and his phone with the man who had a thousand lights twinkling in his eyes, and you’ve written it with grace.
Thank you, Penny. Sadly, the two men are my alter-egos at such an event. It’s such a temptation to take a picture for posterity, perhaps even share it with others. But it’s true that this detracts significantly from the moment.
It’ the age old question – to actually live life or to try to capture it.
Well said, Alice! I ask myself the question quite often!
Personally, I have more fun when I’m busy trying to capture it. Put a camera in my hands and I’ll go anywhere.
My goodness, how can anyone consider making a sacrifice of their smart phone, why it’s like giving up chocolate!
Fun read.
James, I must admit, it would be a sacrifice indeed! 🙂
Ha! This was a fantastic interpretation of the prompt. Very well done.
Thank you, Varad!
Very entertaining story! You created beautiful imagery of laying down burdens and releasing them. He just couldn’t do it, maybe there’ll come a time he can.
I like the hope you express for him, Brenda. Gives us all hope! <3
Who is that evil woman trying to deprive us of our smart phones? Who created her? Is she some sort of Russian bot? Does Donald know her? We deserve to be told.
🙂 One never knows, does one, Patrick? I’ll never tell. . .
Amazing write.
Thank you, Lisa. 🙂