Copyright: Barbara W. Beacham
This is my contribution for the week to Monday’s Finish the Story, hosted by Barbara W. Beacham. Every Monday, Barbara supplies a new picture prompt along with the first sentence for the story. The original story to be written should have only 100 to 150 additional words. I’ve bolded the first sentence given with the picture prompt. Be sure to click on the little blue frog in the blue box, after clicking on the link, to read the other stories.
The link for all the other stories is as follows:
https://mondaysfinishthestory.wordpress.com/2015/06/08/mondays-finish-the-story-june-8th-2015/
I just want to add, my laptop was in the repair shop for several days, then I had to download “177” updates that had accumulated to be installed. It took part of the day and all through the night to install and update them. It became too late to send in a story last week, so I thought I’d wait for the new prompt.
Genre: Speculative Fiction
Word Count: 3+14+150=167 Words
RAGE OF ZEUS by P.S. Joshi
Zeus was not having a good day and he made sure everyone knew it.
First, he sent a huge thunderbolt flashing through the evening sky. He aimed it directly at one of his other symbols, a monstrous oak on the edge of Olympus. It struck with devastating force, ripping the oak asunder. What remained caught fire. The blaze was seen for miles.
“That will show those stupid humans who is boss,” he thundered.
He raised his massive scepter causing another symbol, bulls, to stampede through farmers’ fields, breaking down fences.
A third symbol, mighty eagles, soared in flocks, then dived toward earth. People took shelter wherever they could duck inside.
Thunder was heard as Zeus shouted, “I have almost twenty children. Do they pay attention to me? No, they do not. I am a god. I am worshipped. Yet my own children defy me. It is the fault of their mothers.”
In his frustration, his giant tears cascaded to the ground below.
Musings on Life & Experience 
Great Story:-)
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Thanks, Tina. I’m so glad you liked the story. I had fun writing that one. 😀 — Suzanne
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By the end I was feeling sorry for Zeus. He needs to get a grip on his temper, though…
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Thanks, Ali. Yes, poor Zeus with all those powerful children, not to mention all the wives. He needs to work on that temper before he wipes mankind off the face of Greece. 😀 — Suzanne
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I loved your story Suzanne! Well done! If only he could do what he did to the people of earth to his own children to make them notice. Thanks again for continuing to write for the MFtS challenge. I hope that your computer is all better now! 🙂 Be well… ^..^
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Thanks, Barbara. I’m so pleased you liked the story. My computer is working better now. I suspect Zeus feels more confident taking his anger out on the people of earth. His own children are powerful and some are tricky. Also, their mothers keep helping them. You stay well too. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Mothers always help their children. Thanks Suzanne!
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🙂
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I think he can claim some of the blame for himself – after all, he didn’t set a very good example. He overthrew his own father, Kronos, and imprisoned him in Tartarus! I love your inclusion of the symbols of Zeus, though I feel sorry for the people who get in the way of his temper tantrum. Good story, Suzanne. 🙂
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Thanks, Louise. You’re right. Zeus was not a good example for his children. and needs to accept part of the blame, but he probably won’t as his ego won’t let him. He’s one who’d rather put the blame on others and throw a temper tantrum. I’m really glad you liked the story. 🙂 — Suzanne
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I loved this story Suzanne. I loved how you incorporated all the symbols. I especially liked how the rain are his tears. 🙂
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Thanks, Joy. I’m so pleased you enjoyed the story. I did some research for that one. Maybe the ancient Greeks did think that rain came from the gods’ tears. It was fun to write as though it did. 😀 — Suzanne
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I can imagine this would be a lot of fun to write. I love to write stories that are fun to write and practically write themselves!
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What made it even easier was when I found the symbols. That helped a lot. 🙂
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It’s so interesting how every sort of event gets attributed to the gods and their emotional states. You captured that well. Nicely done.
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Thanks, Diana. They probably did think that way. It’s fun to write as though that was true.Thanks for the encouragement. I’m so pleased you liked the story. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Poor Zeus… I think he’s feeling a bit sorry for himself and everyone else pays the price!! Well done!!
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Thanks, TCQ. Zeus is truly feeling sorry for himself. The poor citizens of Greece. An angry god was to be feared.
I’m so glad you liked the story. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Maybe if he were a better example his children would have a father to look up to. Okay, now just promise you won’t tell Zeus I said so. 🙂
Excellent read! Tears from a god, well some areas are in need of a good rain. The bulls and eagles, we can live without when they are sent in anger, but a little rain is good!
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Thanks, Yolanda. I promise not to tell Zeus what you said. He not only wasn’t a good example, he wanted the mothers of his children to take the blame. Terrible attitude. Men and women in those ancient times felt very at home with gods who had the same problems they did. I’m so glad you liked the story. I enjoyed writing it. Yes, rain is ususally welcome and a good thing. 😀 — Suzanne
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I loved the story. Particularly the ending of Thick tears.. I am imagining the storm followed by the thunder.
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Thanks, Lata. I’m so happy you liked the story. I did some research on that one. I thought the tears would be a perfect ending. The ancient Greeks probably thought everything was due to the gods. Zeus no doubt did continue to complain, so there was thunder after the rain of tears. 🙂 — Suzanne
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