Sunday, January 11, 2015

Father And Son On A Walk...A Short Story

PennyontheGround

Going back to the Writing Prompt!

It's been SO long since I last participated in the weekly writing prompt blog hop. The last story I wrote was back on November 16, 2014. I don't believe I've ever had a break that long since I first began participating in these a few years ago. I've been king of busy.

But, I'm glad to be back trying to spark those creative juices and come up with an original story (using 500 or less words...). If you'd like to join in the fun, here's what to do: 

1) Use the above photo and the five mandatory words in your story.
2) Keep your word count 500 or less.
3) You have until next Tuesday night to link up your story.
4) Use the Blue Link to add your story at Leanne's or Tena's websites and follow the instructions.
5) Have fun, don't stress, and let those creative juices flow!

And here are the five mandatory words:

Bottle
Ostrich
Schedule
Binder
Spoon

Here goes nothing!

Father and Son on a Walk

"Dad, what is that?" the young child stopped walking causing his fathers to stretch to prevent the grip of the two hands (one large, the other small...) from separating. The father's attention was on his next week's schedule when his son yanked him to the present.

"What?" The father searched to find the source of his son's query.

"There!" The five-year old pointed to the ground and the father had to look twice to confirm what he was actually seeing.

"I don't believe it!" the father said shocked. "I haven't seen one of those in years!"

"What, dad? What is it?" 

"It's a penny."

"What's a penny?"

"A penny's a coin. It's money."

"Like to buy things?"

"Exactly. Before all currency was deemed illegal, people used to use these to buy stuff." The son bent  down to spoon the shinny object in his hand

"No, son! Don't touch that!"

"Why, dad?"

"Because it's against the law to have coins of any kind. Years ago the country confiscated all physical money. Coins, bills, even hundreds of pennies saved in a bottle or a piggy bank--everything was collected by the government and people were given digital credits. They even took coin collections. Your great-grandpa Lewis had binder after binder full of rare coins. He had to turn them all in."

"What did they do with all that money?"

"They destroyed it. They melted the coins and burned the money. If you were found physical money in your home, you'd be in more trouble than an ostrich at a rodeo."

"A what at a what?"

"Oh, that's right. We don't have ostriches or rodeos anymore either. I guess a lot of things have changed since I was your age."

"I guess so," said the boy as father and son continued on their walk.

Word Count: 307

6 comments:

  1. A great take on the prompt, what a shame there are no more coins or rodeos in their world.

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    1. Thanks Sally! Personally, I can't imagine such a world (except to write about it, of course...). ;)

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  2. Ooh, an intriguing look at a possible future. Very tantalising.

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    1. Thanks Heather! I don't (completely...) believe that particular future will happen, but you never know. Thanks again!

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  3. So great to have you back, Scott! Many of us took a long break over the holidays. We missed everyone's great stories!

    I LOVE the view of the future you gave us here. I felt nostalgic about money in my own day. Haha! Great job as usual! Looking forward to your stories this year. :)

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    1. Leanne--as always, thank you for your kind words. And I hope to read many a story from you as well. :) Take care.

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