Hugh's Views & News  

WordPress & Blogging tips, flash fiction, photography and lots more!

,

Symbols #flashfiction

Published by

Hugh W. Roberts

on

July 1, 2021, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about “the old photograph.” What is captivating about it? Where did it come from? How does it incite a story? Go where the prompt leads!

Symbols – by Hugh W. Roberts

“Have there been any other gay people in your family, Richard?” asked Adrian as he put the old photograph down.

“Have a look at the photo again. I think it’ll answer your question. Tea?”

Nodding his head, Adrian studied the photo again. “The older man is hot. Who is he?”

“My great-grandfather. Mum said my grandmother took the photo in Poland in 1939.”

“Why does he have a star and what looks like a triangle on his shirt?”

If that photo were in colour, you’d see a pink triangle. But the family have never wanted to talk about it.”

***

Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch. Click here to join in.

Enjoyed this piece of flash fiction? Then you may also like…

Copyright © 2021 hughsviewsandnews.com – All rights reserved.

Discover more from Hugh’s Views & News  

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

14 responses to “Symbols #flashfiction”

  1. Norah avatar
    Norah

    That’s an interesting piece of family history, Hugh. I’m sure there is some comfort in knowing they’re not alone.

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Thanks, Norah. Even already told stories can be bought back to life and make us think about our actions today.

      Reply
      1. Norah avatar
        Norah

        They definitely can. They become a part of who we are.

        Reply
  2. robertawrites235681907 avatar
    robertawrites235681907

    An excellent piece, Hugh. I didn’t know about that symbol but it makes sense given the history.

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Thank you, Robbie. These symbols are still used today, but in a way that acts as a reminder of the awful things humans once did to each other because of who they were. The pink triangle is still very popular within the LGBTQI community.

      Reply
  3. The Old Photograph « Carrot Ranch Literary Community avatar
    The Old Photograph « Carrot Ranch Literary Community

    […] Symbols by Hugh W. Roberts […]

    Reply
  4. Charli Mills avatar
    Charli Mills

    What must Richard feel to see the family member “like him” vilified and marked for death? Love is love. It has overcome much hate. And may it continue to inspire more love.

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Hear, hear, Charli.

      Reply
  5. Terri Webster Schrandt avatar
    Terri Webster Schrandt

    A sad reminder of the fallen world we inhabit, Hugh. Well written and expressed.

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Thanks so much, Terri. Discrimination has many faces, all of which we should do our utmost best to ignore and banish to the bin. How much of a happier world it would be if those faces turned from hate to love.

      Reply
  6. TanGental avatar
    TanGental

    Very poignant Hugh. Terrible times and in some places still a reality

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      Thanks, Geoff. Yes, many still wear these symbols not just for Pride but to remember those who were killed for being who they were. I can’t begin to think what it must have been like to be sent to a concentration camp, knowing that you’d probably never come out alive.

      Reply
  7. JT Twissel avatar
    JT Twissel

    A star and a pink triangle – sounds ominous.

    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar
      Hugh W. Roberts

      During World War II, those symbols were a warrant for death for most that wore them. A terrible history that doesn’t get spoken about much anymore. These days, both symbols are still around, but people wear them for pride and to remember those who died because of who they were.

      Reply

Feel free to leave a comment. Engagement helps keep blogs alive and forms community.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Hello,

I’m Hugh

A high-angle, overhead portrait of a man standing on a green grass lawn, looking straight up toward the camera with a gentle smile. He is wearing a light blue Gant polo shirt, dark blue jeans with his hands in his pockets, and clean white sneakers.

Welcome to my blog. I’m delighted to have you here. This is the place to discover tips on blogging and WordPress, flash fiction, photography, and more. I enjoy engaging with my readers, so please feel free to explore, join discussions, and contact me. I’m happy to assist! Find out more about me and my blog by clicking the ‘Meet Hugh’ button.

Let’s connect

Latest posts

Subscribe to Hugh’s Views And News

Latest Posts

  • Illustration with the words Blogging Tips for your success surrounded by icons and keywords like content, engagement, ideas, and consistency
    WordPress.com Comment Problems? Here’s What’s Going On
    Are you suddenly unable to leave comments on WordPress.com blogs, or being asked to log in even when you’re already signed in? I’m sharing details of these current WordPress comment glitches, what engineers have confirmed, and a temporary workaround via the Reader.
  • A wide shot looking up a steep, winding set of outdoor stone stairs surrounded by lush green forest foliage. Several people with backpacks are seen hiking up the steps with handrails on either side. In the foreground, a brown tag attached to a metal post reads "SUNDAY STILLS: STEPS AND STAIRS" in handwritten capital letters.
    Sunday Stills Photo Challenge: Steps & Stairs
    Explore the playful side of steps and stairs in this week’s Sunday Stills photo challenge. From optical-illusion doorways and autumn-leafed stone steps to a corgi “research assistant” and a mysterious figure at the top of the stairs. Plus simple guidelines to share your own creative images. Everyone is welcome to join in.
  • An intricate, dew-covered spider web is spun between autumn branches in a soft-focus woodland setting. Glistening water droplets coat every strand of the web, highlighting its geometric pattern against a backdrop of vibrant orange, brown, and green oak leaves. Tied to the centre of the web by a small piece of twine is a weathered, cream-coloured paper tag. The tag features the text "- Sunday Stills" printed on the top line, with the word "EPHEMERAL" written in all capital letters directly underneath it. The morning light filters through the trees, casting a warm, atmospheric glow over the entire scene.
    Sunday Stills Photo Challenge: Capturing Ephemeral Moments
    Explore the beauty of what doesn’t last: double rainbows, coffee-foam creatures, funhouse-style mirror reflections, beach footprints swept away by the tide, and fireworks fading into the dark. As your temporary Sunday Stills host, I explain how to join this week’s “Ephemeral” Sunday Stills photo challenge and share your own creative take.
  • Illustration with the words Blogging Tips for your success surrounded by icons and keywords like content, engagement, ideas, and consistency
    Stop Spam Now: How To Clean Spambots Off Your WordPress Blog Fast
    Spam comments and bogus followers don’t just clutter your blog; they can damage your blog’s rankings and put your readers at risk. Learn how to recognise suspicious comments and Gravatars, spot ‘like’ button abuse, and use the improved Jetpack Subscribers page to block and remove spammers for good.
  • A vintage-style graphic image titled "If You Happen to See the Most Beautiful Woman in the World: A Story by Hugh W. Roberts" under a banner reading "STORY CHAT DIGEST." On the right, a long-haired woman in a coat stands with her back turned, looking into a window glass reflection showing a woman's face. The background depicts a foggy, sepia-toned London scene featuring Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and a double-decker bus. In the bottom-left foreground, a cup of coffee rests next to a pen and a notebook on a wooden surface, with the mug decorated with a silhouette of London landmarks.
    The Writing Slump That Led to ‘The Most Beautiful Woman in the World’
    What do you do when struggling to write a blog post or piece of fiction? I turn to writing prompts or photos, but a vivid memory from the 1980s of a stylish young woman in a London department store has also recently helped me. That decades-old image has now become a haunting new tale featured on Marsha Ingrao’s Story Chat Digest. Have you seen the most beautiful woman in the world recently?
  • Illustration with the words Blogging Tips for your success surrounded by icons and keywords like content, engagement, ideas, and consistency
    From Fear to Fix: Letting AI Redesign My WordPress About Page
    Your About page might be one of the most visited parts of your blog—so why is it often the last thing we update? In this post, I share how I overcame fear of “breaking” my ‘Meet Hugh’ page by letting WordPress’s AI assistant suggest and implement layout changes, saving me hours of frustration.

Looking for your next quick read? Try my books

An image of book covers, book, tablet and mobile phone, for the book Glimpses.
An image for the book More Glimpses - showing a book cover, tablet and mobile phone.

Follow Hugh in the Fediverse

Hugh's Views & News  
Hugh's Views & News  
@hughsviewsandnews.com@hughsviewsandnews.com

WordPress & Blogging tips, flash fiction, photography and lots more!

318 posts
10 followers
A widget with the words 'Team Effort - Story Chat Digest - Where Authors Meet - Author'

Most Viewed Posts & Pages Over The Last 24 Hours

True Stories: Gay Memories - Going To A Gay Bar For The First Time #LGBTQI #LGBTTrue Stories: Gay Memories – Going To A Gay Bar For The First Time #LGBTQI #LGBTJan 17, 2022Hugh W. Roberts
What Kind Of Comments Are The Best To Leave On Blog Posts?What Kind Of Comments Are The Best To Leave On Blog Posts?Sep 4, 2023Hugh W. Roberts
How To Find Free Photos And Images On WordPress: Why You Should Use Them.How To Find Free Photos And Images On WordPress: Why You Should Use Them.Sep 25, 2023Hugh W. Roberts
Do Sandcastles Have Doors? #ThursdayDoors #PhotographySep 12, 2024Hugh W. Roberts
Curious Christmas Objects Around The HouseDec 1, 2020Hugh W. Roberts

Recommend Blogs To Follow

Roaming About
A Life Less Ordinary
Second Wind Leisure Perspectives
Second Wind Leisure Perspectives
Fun, Photography & Friends
Spo-Reflections
Spo-Reflections
To live is to battle with trolls in the vaults of heart and brain. To write; this is to sit in judgment over one's Self. Henrik Ibsen
Boomer Eco Crusader
Boomer Eco Crusader
Live Green | Declutter | Simplify Life
SONGS AND SCRIPTS AND DUNKING BISCUITS
Every day tales of a winging-it creative
Jacqueline Lambert
Jacqueline Lambert
Award-Winning Travel Humour Writer
Anne R. Allen’s Blog… with Ruth Harris
Writing about writing. Mostly.
Fancying France
The musings of a ‘femme d’un certain âge’ who divides her time between SW France and SE England
Marsha Ingrao Always Write
Marsha Ingrao Always Write
Having fun blogging with friends
Curiosities, Castles and Coffee Shops
Curiosities, Castles and Coffee Shops
The musings of a curious mind
WrookieSchU
WrookieSchU
Live life 🙌🏼
WPcomMaven
WPcomMaven
Helping you make the most of your free WordPress.com website since 2011
Share Your Light
Share Your Light
You are a miracle – Let it happen
No Facilities
No Facilities
Random thoughts, life lessons, hopes and dreams
Esther Chilton
Writer, Tutor and Editor
Saying nothing in particular
Saying nothing in particular
Jan … JT Twissel
The Chicago Files
The Chicago Files
A Canadian Perspective on Living in the Windy City!

Thank you to all my visitors

494,642 hits

272,695 visitors

Scan the QR code to follow me on Bluesky

Copyright Protected Blog


This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

COPYRIGHT ©2011-2031 Hugh’s Views And News BLOG – All Rights Reserved.

This work by Hugh W. Roberts, and/or Hugh’s Views And News blog, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material (text and images) without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. If you want to use posts, excerpts, photos and links, you may contact me first. You must give full and clear credit to Hugh W. Roberts and Hugh’s Views And News dot com with links to the original content.