Genre: Fiction
Word count: 99
The Ritual
For centuries they gathered here, little girls ready to jump into womanhood. Required age was thirteen as they would find themselves married off to some old geezer started at fourteen, without choice.
None of them were excited at the prospect. They had dreams of another sort to go out and take over the world. Every year, at the Spring Equinox, they gathered, made a fire in the pit, danced feverishly, celebrating what should be and not what will inevitably be.
When dawn showed its first light, they threw their dolls into the well.
Children no more. Dreams put aside.
Friday Fictioneers: 100-word stories
Photo prompt: © Copyright – Rachel Bjerke
Love it; well done! Sounds like you are talking about elves, right?
I could have gone in that direction, now that you mention it!
You missed a research opportunity. You have to make up for it 🙂
I know… she hangs her head in shame….
Like I wrote, you can still make up for it…
I promise on the next prompt that inspires elves or fairies, I will.
Yay, Dale, you rose to the challenge. Welcome to Friday Fictioneers and an excellent first. Well written. And you managed to make it a Spring Equinox story to coincide with this weekend 🙂 When I read this, it made me glad that the age of consent is higher these days — at least in some countries it is — although girls hardly out of childhood are still forced to marry old geezers in some parts of the world.
I did indeed! I told Rochelle that thanks to you, I take walks with my fingers counting out 5 – 7 – 5 for haiku, that I was considering trying my hand at tanka and now this! You are trying to make me in to a writer!
Thank you. It was fun and hard to limit to 100 words – who’d a thunk? I think it is a most horrid practice to marry off children to old geezers…
Story, and picture perfect Dale. Terribly unfair though. Got me to feel something in a hundred words. Happy first day of Spring and Friday too!
Thanks Paul! It was my first attempt.
Happy Spring and Friday to you too! The sun is shining here and it is a mere 23F, feeling like 16F ~ positively… yeah, who am I kidding? Sun but not too much heat… sigh…
Gotta start warming up soon. Sure hope it does anyway. It was a really good job Dale!
Blushes….
Dear Dale,
Welcome to Friday Fictioneers.
I was still a child when I married at 18. Your story is horrifying because in some parts of the world this is a fact. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you Rochelle! I’m a little surprised at myself! 😉
18 – definitely still a child (especially today’s 18-year olds!)
Welcome; a worthy debut.
Thank you Sandra! I loved your picture and story from last week… that is when I started thinking of joining in. That and when Sarah suggested I try my hand!
Pertinent story. It’s still going on in some parts, legally or otherwise. Such a cruel assault on childhood and choice.
(Here in the UK we had a 90% eclipse of the sun this morning, we have a supermoon, and it’s the equinox. Good timing plus.)
Sad truth indeed. Oh nice! We had a super moon a month or so ago!
Great story, Dale. I remember having to write micro fiction when I took a writing class in school. I always thought it was such a fun challenge. This was done very well. Very nostalgic, at least for me. Nicely done.
Thanks George! It was harder than I thought it would be and yet easier too ~ once I cut, cut, cut!!!
Much appreciated!
Your magnificent story touched on a very sad subject. I wish it were not true. I’m sure somewhere, young brides are still being sold.
Thank you. I’m sure they are too, sadly.
The ritual with the dolls is so Bleak, and reminds me of when Esther Summerson buries her doll when she is sent away (not to marriage though)
Isn’t it though? I don’t know where that came from! 😉
yes at many places in India this happens even today
Sadly, yes…
Wow, very sad but gorgeous. All in 100 words!
Thanks Bethany! I was pretty pleased with my first attempt…
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Good timing with the equinox … and very imaginable with the pic!
Thanks Frank! I was originalky scared to even try…am quite touched by the response…
A poignant story. Well done on your first attempt! The last 2 sentences are so sad.
Thank you Rachel! I’m hoping this week’s challenge evokes a more upbeat feel! 😉
Love this Dale! That image of them throwing the dolls in the well, children no more is very powerful.
Thanks Andrea! Totally appreciate your comment!