April 15, 2021, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that seeds generosity. Who is generous and why? Think of generosity as planting a future outcome. Go where the prompt leads!
Pilgrims – by Hugh W. Roberts
Making footprints in the dusty soil of the piece of land the Mayflower had brought her to, Margery’s ears picked up the sounds of the waves crashing against her ship.
She signalled to her crew to begin unloading the cargo and help bring this land alive.
As the pilgrims left the ship two by two, they each, in turn, thanked Margery for the kindness she’d shown them by setting them free again.
As the Mayflower took off into the sky, the pilgrims named the new world New Plymouth and set about thanking their god, Generosity, for bringing them here.
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Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch. Click here to join in.
Click on the image to check out my first post, How Blogging and Rod Serling Helped Me Conquer Dyslexia, on my new column at the Carrot Ranch.
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Hugh's Views & News 
Terri’s slowness has nothing on me. I didn’t connect the story with the picture until she said how slow she was. I hadn’t even looked at the picture, but scrolled on by! Now I’m being too honest. That’s why I have to read things two or more times! Only you would connect a picture of a May flower with a ship! Now that’s creative thinking! 🙂 Good going, Hugh. I’m posting a link to this story in my last BrightSquare to drum up some more creative Story Chat authors. https://tchistorygal.net/2021/04/30/bright-square-30/
I’ll be honest and say that the 99-word flash fiction challenge is more about the words than the picture, Marsha. However, they do have a connection, but I tend to focus more on the word prompt set by Charli rather than the picture she includes in her challenge.
It’s amazing what often comes to mind when I read her prompt words and then look at the picture.
My fingers are crossed that you will gate more takers for the Story Chat feature. It’s been a fun experience.
I do too. I’ve asked several people and some are interested, but after having months in advance, it’s weird to have only one ready to go. We will see. Any suggestions?
You could always write a guest post which I’d happily publish on my blog.
I’d love to. Let me work on it today and tomorrow. I’ll try to get it by Monday. Thank you so much! 🙂
Hugh, your story reminded me a bit of the ark — two by two. I hope Generosity guides them well.
Generosity bought them to the new world, Charli. Now let’s hope they spread the seeds of generosity throughout the land.
In old Plimoth, previously known as Pawtuxet, local natives were generous and helpful to the alien Mayflower group. Will there be more to this tale along those lines?
Fun flash!
I’m not sure. I think the pilgrims from the Mayflower want to be left alone to get on with building their new world.
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it.
Oh, I so enjoyed this!
Thanks, Jennie. I enjoyed writing it. Took me two days to put together. Could have been longer, but Charli’s deadline was approaching fast.
I was ‘brave’ and submitted my first one to Charli. Yahoo! I like how you posted yours separately on your blog. Will have to figure out how to do that next time. Best to you, Hugh. Great story!
It’s easy to do, Jennie. I publish the post on my blog and include a pingback in the post to Charli’s post. The pingback appears in the comments section of her post.
See, I should have put it on my blog first instead of directly on Charli’s blog. I’ll know the next time. Thanks so much, Hugh.
Now you know, there’ll be no stopping you, Jennie.
Haha! 😀
Well that was a surprise ending, Hugh. I’m not really surprised that I was surprised though. 😉
Thanks, Norah. The element of surprise. I think you know just how much I love it when somebody tells me they were surprised by an ending of one of my stories.
I do!
Very nice segway into Sci Fi!
Thank you, Liz.
I’m sure being on solid ground would be something to be thankful for! Although I have to wonder what she’s freeing them from,
Who knows what she has freed them from, but given they thanked her for her generosity, I’m sure New Plymouth is better than where they have come from.
Only you could have written this Hugh 💜💜
Thank you. I’m guessing it has my stamp all over it, Willow?
Yes indeed Hugh it does 😊 and a lovely stamp it is 💜
I love this, Hugh! I had to connect the image with the subjects and now I get it, (slow today, LOL). So once I got it, this reminds me of an old spiritual hymn called “I’ll Fly Away,” which was part of the message at church yesterday. Being able to leave and fly to a new life is your theme and goes with the theme of the hymn of flying freely into eternity. Very cool!
Thanks, Terri. I don’t know that hymn, but I like the meaning you have told us. The image and the word prompts can sometimes seem miles apart, but it’s great fun finding the connection. I often compare it to solving a puzzle.
Generosity and kindness are the fuels by which we move forward. Great 99 words right there sir. da iawn
Thank you. Just imagine our world if everybody in it was even just a little bit more generous.
A theme like this must create “feel good” stories. I should practice generosity more often. Have a great week, Hugh!
You’d think so, wouldn’t you, Liesbet? But knowing the writers’ group at the Carrot Ranch, I’m sure there will be some dark stories as well. I’m always amazed by what everyone comes up with.