The last true shaman looked deep into my soul and read my mind. He didn’t speak yet I clearly heard one word in my head. Immortality? His answer to my question with another question. We were connected. He nodded, knowing exactly why I had come. His arthritic finger pointed to the shards of bones and a few teeth. He spoke. His deep voice rich with wisdom.
‘Our physical remains mean nothing but we live on through our ideas’
I understood. Ideas live on through writing. We may live forever by writing ideas future generations will want to read. Literally immortal.
‘Our physical remains mean nothing but we live on through our ideas’
I understood. Ideas live on through writing. We may live forever by writing ideas future generations will want to read. Literally immortal.
A different take on immortality that works well. Nice one.
ReplyDeletehttp://castelsarrasin.wordpress.com/2012/02/23/afterwards/
Thank you Sandra it is my first attempt at 100 words (just tweeted 'Afterwards' but can't see you on twitter)
ReplyDeleteLove the unspeaking communication and how that underlines your message, Robin
ReplyDeleteThanks - it is an interesting challenge after bashing out 1000 - 2000 a day
DeleteAnd so true. Well done, and welcome to the challenge!
ReplyDeleteWelcome to Friday Fiction, Tony, and such a strong opener! I liked the unspoken communication and the smooth logic to the lesson.
ReplyDeleteLet's hope we all get this kind of immortality.
Mine is here; http://elmowrites.wordpress.com/2012/02/24/friday-fiction-14/
This is a beautiful piece of writing, Tony.
ReplyDeleteMy drabble can be found here: http://quillshiv.wordpress.com/2012/02/24/let-flow-what-is-left/
Thank you. I liked 'let flow' just RT'd it
DeletePerhaps I'm wrong, but this piece seems to beg the question, "Who is the last true shaman?" And perhaps that answer is that it is the written word? Just a thought. And not sure if it's the right one, but I like the way this story made me think!
ReplyDeletehttp://wp.me/pVRF7-r2
Hard to believe that is the first time you've written short fiction. Good work.
ReplyDeleteHere's mine: http://postcardfiction.com/2012/02/24/forgotten/
Nice work--enjoyed your first attempt and looking forward to more. I love the idea of our writing being immortal--though only very few attain classic status.
ReplyDeleteMine: http://vsta.pr/zxAJ1y.
Thank you. (All that remains of one of my relatives is a sheet of neatly written A4 - but through it he achieves a form of modest immortality)
DeleteAh...my favorite so far today. Well written with no wasted words - plus I love the message. Thank you for joining in the fun - and welcome!
ReplyDelete~Susan (Here's mine: http://www.susanwenzel.com/)
Thank you Susan - I would have done this before if I had known I would meet so many talented people (just tweeted Justin)
DeleteI love that you made this a philosophical comment on writing. And I totally agree. Most people leave behind so little, but writers leave behind a beautiful legacy and you can still feel you really know a writer well, even after he or she has been long dead. Also, what an ideal piece of work for this audience, a bunch of writers. Congrats on a great piece.
ReplyDeleteHere's mine: http://bridgesareforburning.wordpress.com/
Thankyou Ron just tweeted 'Sticks and Stones' to 3654 people around the world and 1500 writing pals on Google+
DeleteI think about legacy. What are we leaving behind and how are we reproducing ourselves in others
ReplyDeleteYes - I am still astounded at how quickly our ideas can be read all around the world and am left wondering what legacy I would really like to leave. (tweeted Bare Bones)
DeleteHi Tony, it takes me a while to get around to all the stories sometimes. I liked yours. Stories are immortal, whether it spoken and passed down or written and preserved. This is a great community of writers here and I hope you'll come around to join us every week :)
ReplyDeleteGreat message. Welcome.
ReplyDeleteHere's mine: http://wp.me/s1Tjpv-fragile
Welcome Tony, a great effort there and so an auspicious piece among a gang of writers...Really impressed with the puzzling conversations. Welcome. looking forward to your future write-ups!
ReplyDeleteoops! here's mine:
Deletehttp://seewilliams.wordpress.com/2012/02/24/moriah/
Thanks for the encouragement - just RT'd Moriah
ReplyDeleteHave a good weekend
A great take on the prompt Tony.
ReplyDeleteA great message - us living on through our ideas.
Welcome to Friday Fictioneers.
Mm. This is very cool. I agree with Mike. I like the rhythm of this piece and the pacing forward. It's very effective.
ReplyDeleteMine's here this week: http://thecolorlime.wordpress.com/2012/02/24/to-starve-98/
Thanks - just tweeted yours - and I like the link back to Madison's blog will borrow that next time :)
DeleteSorry for the late response. Can't quite figure out the copy/paste on the ipad.
ReplyDeleteLoved the story. Different. Makes me jealous that some people think so deeply! Good job.
Thanks Shirley - it was a refreshing change from the WIP and my first attempt, so am encouraged enough to try again tomorrow :)
ReplyDelete