WELCOME TO FRIDAY FICTIONEERS WHERE EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY
We are a growing community of blogging writers who come together each week from all parts of the globe to share individual flash fictions from a single photo prompt (above). The prompt goes up early Wednesday morning CST to give each writer time to compose a story by Friday. Some use the photo as a mere inspiration while others use it as an illustration. Use your imagination and think outside the box.
I am over on words, but I couldn’t cut back much more. In fact, this is just a clip from a story I am writing which came to mind when I saw the contrast in the two cellos side by side. Actually, the photo was perfect. The two cellos are protected by the wooden box. From all things on the outside. Here is what came to mind when I saw the image above. I call it “Beautiful Music”
After riding our bikes on the church grounds, I sat on the steps with best friend Monty. Two ten-year old kids in a rural southern town enjoying a summer day together.
A bike approached. The man on the bike said “We don’t like coloreds on our side town. Go home.”
Racism. I learned of it at the expense of my best friend, who was black. All I could say was “Sorry man.”
Monty smiled and said “You take cello lessons right?”
“Yes I do.”
“We are like two cellos except our exterior is different shades,” he replied. “We have the same number of strings. We’re shaped the same. When played we sound the same. Just beautiful music.”
Mind of Shoo 
I like that you tackled such a hard subject matter. Not as easy thing to do.
Thanks for the kind words. It’s indeed an important subject. One that ways on my heart and mind. TY
I touched on the same subject on my blog the other day….It’s called The Crew if you want to check it out.
I sure will. thanks for the heads up!
No probs!
It’s an important issue to me. I write about it often.
oh wow!!! Very well done…you handle a tough and delicate issue so well. Very well done, thanks for sharing
Hi…thanks for the kind words. I appreciate you taking time to read my story. So much more of this story to write. TY
Very good metaphor – beautiful music.
Beautiful music when played “together”. TY
Dear Mind,
If you were over on words I certainly didn’t notice, Well written, touching and courageous.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks for the kind words. I enjoyed this prompt. TY
Beautiful, poignant and well done. Wow.
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Nice write… like the sound of Yo Yo… beautiful.
Thanks for taking time to read my little story.
love this story.. i really like its message
TY. It’s an important message and one I believe needs to be explored more in a positive light. Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the kind words.
when i first looked at this, i had a “race” idea too but went elsewhere. i’m very glad that you didn’t go elsewhere. well done.
Thanks…it popped into my head instantly. I am writing a screen play about two friends like this, so guess that was on my mind. I TY
screen play? stage?
It’s a screen play. Two young boys, one white one black. Southern town. Early 70s. There is a scene from it on my blog written in prose. Called Black and White.
Sensitively handled. Nice one.
TY. Very kind words. I appreciate you reading my little story.
Close your eyes and listen. We are all the same. Great story.
Aloha,
Doug
We are all the same except some don’t open there eyes to see that beauty the same as I do.
Well written.
Thank you. Glad you stopped by to read it.
That Monty is going to grow up into a great man. This was really nicely handled – just the right tone – not too cute.
Monty has a good upbringing. His friend will be fine too.
That’s a great metaphor to draw from the picture. I’m glad to see someone pick up on the differences in them. For me, it was the age difference instead of the color.
Ah I didn’t catch the age difference. Thanks for stopping by to read my story.
You pulled a story with a strong moral out of that photo of the two different, but the same, musical instruments. Nicely played! Ron
TY. It’s an important topic. I write lots about the subject. Glad you enjoyed the stort.
When I read after so many comments have already been given, I sometimes feel I’m trying to reinvent the wheel. You were right in tune with this piece. 🙂
janet
Thanks Janet. I am surprised at the number and happy with the comments. Its an important topic in my mind. Ron
Brilliant story with a great message. Loved reading this one.
Thanks for the kind words. I am kind of overwhelmed with all the replies. TY
I worked with a young black woman who once told me, “It’s amazing how much fun you can have when you’re color blind.” Great story Shooo.
Great quote from the lady. I like that. Glad you enjoyed the story. TY
Very good story and well done for not compromising it for the sake of hitting that magic 100 – no one really cares about the numbers, it’s the words that count!
Very well said. I am glad you enjoyed the story. And thanks for visiting my blog.
Nice message! There comes a point where you can’t trim anymore without losing important elements.
Thanks J! It certainly didn’t want to lose anything with this story. Needs to be told, It’s also about friendship, but I need many more words to expand on that aspect.
Very effective use of the prompt and very effective dialogue. Sometimes you have to exceed those words when cutting them would harm the story, as here.
Thanks for the kind words. And you are absolutely correct, I couldn’t cut one more word and really needed a few thousand to tell the story as it needs to be told. TY
Wise words from the youngster and great writing from you.
Wise indeed. TY
Taboo subjects, such as racism can be difficult to manipulate without coming across all apologetic, you did this beautifully and I loved it 🙂
Thanks for the kind words, I appreciate it immensely. I saw the contrast as soon I looked at the photo. And since I am writing about two kids growing up in the south, I thought this was a nice time to write a little story about the friends. I am glad you enjoyed it. Perhaps more will come to my blog later. TY
It would be great to see how it might develop in the future.
My writing for this story is in screenplay format. I just grab scenes and put them in words when I feel them move me. To be honest, I am surprised by the amount of response to this post. I don’t understand why. But I have enjoyed the response and feedback.
It was well written and struck a chord, good writing will always ‘out’.
I liked how you brought out one detail of the photo and created a moral story around it.
Thanks. Its an important subject that just came to me when I saw the contrast between the instruments in the photo.
This is a very good post. I love how you made an ugly topic so beautiful. well done.
TY…I appreciate your kind words. It never has to be ugly if we all accept that at our core, we are the same.
I very much agree with you.
It’s really fun to see where a picture takes us. I work with elders, so my first thought was age discrimination. I enjoyed your take on the photo and your taking the reigns on the subject of race.
It is fun to see what everyone sees and interprets from a picture. Thanks for visiting and the comment. It’s an important subject.
Sadly, they aren’t really identical until they are allowed to share the same weather, to play with the metaphor a little. It’s still beautiful music, but the darker cello’s climate is a little stormier and it causes a different tone.