Copyright: C. Hase
Here we are again this week. Today we’re gathered at a virtual beach to discuss our original stories for the week. This is the Friday Fictioneer’s group. Our hostess for this gathering is the talented and gracious author and artist, Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. The challenge for each of us is to write a story with no more than 100 words. It’s supposed to have a beginning, middle, end, and follow the picture prompt for the week. This week’s prompt was supplied by C. Hase. Thanks, C.
Congratulations to Jennifer Pendergast and family on their new son and little brother, Dominic.
Also, I’m sorry my story is so late. My computer was in the repair shop for several days.
To read the other stories from group members, just click on the little blue frog in the blue box after clicking on the link. The link for the other stories is as follows:
https://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2015/06/03/5-june-2015/
Genre: Speculative Fiction
Word Count: 100 Words
THERE BE GIANTS by P.S. Joshi
“Dad,” said Sean, “Are there such things as giants?”
“Well son, there were giants once upon a time.”
The child looked puzzled and asked, “I’ve never seen giants. Why is that?”
“Well son, people stopped believing in them so they went away.”
“Where did they go Dad? Is it far from here?”
“Well, Sean, they sailed far away. I don’t know where. Only their boat chain remains.”
“Dad, are we leprechauns?”
“That’s what some people call us, Sean.”
“Will we go away like the giants if people stop believing in us?”
“We might son, if people stop believing. We might.”
Musings on Life & Experience 
Size is a good symbol. Only certain things can be counted on to go away if nobody ever thinks of them anymore~good story
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I was thinking of something like THE NEVERENDING STORY. If no one read, or spoke of, certain characters in stories, people would forget about them, and they would disappear from people’s minds. I’m so glad you liked the story. 🙂 — Suzanne
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excellent counterpoint! 🙂
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Thanks, Seumas. I’m glad you liked the story, and thanks for the encouragement. 🙂 — Suzanne
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That was charming. Hugs!
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Thanks, Teagan. I’m so glad you liked the story. Hugs to you also. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Great story. I’ve always been fascinated by the possibility that things exist because people believe they exist and cease to exist when the belief fades. 🙂
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Thanks, Louise. I’m so glad you liked the story. That idea is a popular one among storytellers. I remember the movie THE NEVERENDING STORY. In a way it’s true. When people stop thinking about characters in a story, those characters cease to exist for those people. We should encourage children to read so the old story characters won’t cease to exist. 🙂 — Suzanne.
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Oh, Suzanne. I love this one. It’s beautiful. The whole idea that what is real is based on belief has always intrigued me. The little twist in the story and the questioning of one’s own reality is awesome.
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Thanks, Diana. My mother used to say that reading takes a person to a whole different world. As writers, we create characters who are real in the book or story, and to anyone reading it. We need to keep the old stories and their characters alive. My dad used to tell the story about an old Irish woman telling him and other youngsters a story about fairies. My dad laughed at the idea of fairies being real. She turned to him and said, “Young man, there ‘do’ be fairies in Ireland.”
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Lovely, Suzanne.
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That’s a scary thought for the leprechauns. We still believe!
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Thanks, Ali. I knew I could trust in you and a few other of the true believers. It would be a sad world without leprechauns. 😀 — Suzanne
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We have gnomes in our neck of the woods. I KNOW we do.
Delightful take on the prompt Suzanne. I’m glad you got your computer fixed in time to submit it.
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Thanks, Alicia. Be careful. I’ve heard gnomes can be sneaky. I’m so glad you liked the story. I had it written before I got the computer back. I’m glad I got it back when I did also. 😀 — Suzanne
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This is a delightful read, Suzanne, especially coming from a leprechaun’s POV. That was a nice little surprise. I’d like to believe in this stuff. Maybe someday, I’ll see one. I’d be happy to either a giant or a leprechaun! Fun take.
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I believe….I believe in them.
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Dear Suzanne,
I’m sorry about your technical diffiulties but I’m glad you didn’t let it keep you from posting. This delightful little story was worth the wait.
Shalom,
Rochelle
PS I’ll keep believing. 😉
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Thanks, Rochelle. I’m so glad you liked the story. Thanks for the encouragement. I’m glad I had the time to post also. I’m a bit late answering the comments and reading stories as my laptop hoarded up “177” updates before installing them. I was so surprised it was that many. It was a bit like a dam bursting. It took part of yesterday and all through the night for them to install.:( It’s finally completed. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Suzanne, this one gave me a lot…about how our faith gives us what we believe in. And as a leprechaun, now I know I have to keep believing in myself so I won’t disappear….!
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Thanks, Rosanna. I love that. I’ve found it’s true,also.Often my faith has led me in the right direction. We’re not always given what we want. We’re given what we need. I’ve seen that time and again. From one lepredhaun to another, we both need to believe in ourselves. I’ve so glad you were given something by the story. 🙂 — Suzanne
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This is fascinating as there are so many possibilities out there. The question of “What if?” is a biggie. And I agree, we create characters who are real to us and those reading and form attachments.
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Thanks, Francesca. I’m so pleased you liked the story. We need to constantly stretch our imaginations, don’t we. I think that’s why we love to write and read. We get to spend time in an imaginary world with characters who become our friends. Characters who are well written almost walk out of the pages don’t they? 🙂 — Suzanne
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What happened was the giants had a blog, but no one read it. Perry and I (and other humorists) have this problem all the time. Of course, who can blame people for not believing in us. I’m not even sure we exist.
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Thanks, Russell. Actually, a lot of people, including me, enjoy your and Perry’s blogs. I’m really sorry no one read the giant’s blog. That’s so sad. 😦 🙂 — Suzanne
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And then there are people who believe in the New York Giants….
Nice one Suzanne.
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Thanks, Subroto. Yes, there are lots of people who love the New York Giants. I’m really glad you liked the story. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Well that was just delightful. I especially liked the naturalness of a child pestering a father for answers. It shows how dialogue can convey a picture that suddenly has to adjust when the part about leprechauns comes into focus. Nicely done.
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Thanks, Kirizar. I’m really glad you enjoyed the dialogue and twist at the end. 🙂 — Suzanne
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So if no one believes in giants and leprechauns… what hope is there for mankind?
Randy
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Thanks, Randy. All the magic would be gone, wouldn’t it? There should always be a little of the child left in us. Otherwise, where is the fun? 🙂 — Suzanne
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I agree.
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We better believe in the leprechauns.. I do not want them disappearing
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Thanks, Bjorn. I agree. We better believe in leprechauns. It’s kind of nice thinking of them being there. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Well I certainly believe!
This was wonderful,Suzanne 🙂 I love the way the conversation between father and son unfolded and that the father offered that wise and magical closing line in your story.
I hope all is well and that the rains have come.
Ellespeth
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Thanks, Ellespeth. I’m so pleased you liked the story, especially the father’s closing line. We’ve had some pre-monsoon rains, but the true monsoon probably won’t be here for a couple weeks yet. I hope you’ll be getting more rain there. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Lovely story. What a wonderful idea – and the voices are most appealing.
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Thanks, Marg. I’m so glad you liked the story, especially the voices. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Great story, amusing and touching. That’s a wise dad and a good story to remember. Goes for people as well: as long as we remember them, they are still here.
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Thanks, Gahlearner. I’m so glad you liked the story. You’re right. As long as we remember people, it is as though they’re with us. We keep them alive to us. 🙂 — Suzanne
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beautiful story and perfect for the prompt, too. 🙂
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Thanks, Plaridel. I’m so happy you enjoyed the story. 🙂 — Suzanne
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