Mastodon The Writing Desk: Flash Fiction Friday: Shaman

24 February 2012

Flash Fiction Friday: Shaman


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. 

28 comments:

  1. A different take on immortality that works well. Nice one.

    http://castelsarrasin.wordpress.com/2012/02/23/afterwards/

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  2. Thank you Sandra it is my first attempt at 100 words (just tweeted 'Afterwards' but can't see you on twitter)

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  3. Love the unspeaking communication and how that underlines your message, Robin

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    1. Thanks - it is an interesting challenge after bashing out 1000 - 2000 a day

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  4. And so true. Well done, and welcome to the challenge!

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  5. Welcome to Friday Fiction, Tony, and such a strong opener! I liked the unspoken communication and the smooth logic to the lesson.
    Let's hope we all get this kind of immortality.

    Mine is here; http://elmowrites.wordpress.com/2012/02/24/friday-fiction-14/

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  6. This is a beautiful piece of writing, Tony.

    My drabble can be found here: http://quillshiv.wordpress.com/2012/02/24/let-flow-what-is-left/

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  7. Perhaps 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!
    http://wp.me/pVRF7-r2

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  8. Hard to believe that is the first time you've written short fiction. Good work.
    Here's mine: http://postcardfiction.com/2012/02/24/forgotten/

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  9. 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.

    Mine: http://vsta.pr/zxAJ1y.

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    1. 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)

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  10. Ah...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!

    ~Susan (Here's mine: http://www.susanwenzel.com/)

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    1. Thank you Susan - I would have done this before if I had known I would meet so many talented people (just tweeted Justin)

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  11. I 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.
    Here's mine: http://bridgesareforburning.wordpress.com/

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    1. Thankyou Ron just tweeted 'Sticks and Stones' to 3654 people around the world and 1500 writing pals on Google+

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  12. I think about legacy. What are we leaving behind and how are we reproducing ourselves in others

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    1. Yes - 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)

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  13. Hi 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 :)

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  14. Great message. Welcome.

    Here's mine: http://wp.me/s1Tjpv-fragile

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  15. 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!

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    1. oops! here's mine:
      http://seewilliams.wordpress.com/2012/02/24/moriah/

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  16. Thanks for the encouragement - just RT'd Moriah

    Have a good weekend

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  17. A great take on the prompt Tony.
    A great message - us living on through our ideas.
    Welcome to Friday Fictioneers.

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  18. Mm. This is very cool. I agree with Mike. I like the rhythm of this piece and the pacing forward. It's very effective.

    Mine's here this week: http://thecolorlime.wordpress.com/2012/02/24/to-starve-98/

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    1. Thanks - just tweeted yours - and I like the link back to Madison's blog will borrow that next time :)

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  19. Sorry for the late response. Can't quite figure out the copy/paste on the ipad.
    Loved the story. Different. Makes me jealous that some people think so deeply! Good job.

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  20. Thanks Shirley - it was a refreshing change from the WIP and my first attempt, so am encouraged enough to try again tomorrow :)

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