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Flash Fiction – Roots

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Hugh W. Roberts

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September 26, 2023, prompt: Write a story that includes a blade of grass in 99 words (no more, no less). What can you compare it to? Or in contrast? Is it a character prop or a story linchpin? Go poetic; go any genre or tone. Go where the prompt leads!

Roots – by Hugh W. Roberts

Technology overtook nature, and a blade of grass became a symbol of rebellion.

It sprouted in a crack between neon-lit sidewalks, a living relic of a long-forgotten past. Scientists marvelled at its resilience while authorities saw it threatening their synthetic world.

They dispatched the drones to eradicate the abnormality, but the blade fought back. Extending its roots into the digital grid, it sparked chaos.

Within days, cities crumbled, and nature reclaimed its dominion on Earth.

That lone blade of grass is me. I stand tall, a testament to the lasting power of life, rekindling hope in a dystopian age.

Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch.

Photo of lots of flowers and grasses in a spring meadow.
Spring Meadow.

***

Enjoyed this piece of flash fiction? Then you’ll love ‘Glimpses.’

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Glimpses

Glimpses

28 short stories and pieces of flash fiction take the reader on a rollercoaster of twists and turns.

Available on Amazon

Paperback – £4.99

Kindle – £0.99

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26 responses to “Flash Fiction – Roots”

  1. Dan Antion avatar
    Dan Antion

    I’ve seen those defiant blades of grass and tiny flowers that grow in the cracks. I would never underestimate their power. Great base for a story.

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

      Thanks, Dan. Have you noticed that plant life like those always seem to last the longest.

      Reply
      1. Dan Antion avatar
        Dan Antion

        They do. We have plants that we’ve bought that struggle, and we have self-starters that thrive.

        Reply
  2. Did You Miss Any Of These? Monthly Round-Up - October 2023 avatar
    Did You Miss Any Of These? Monthly Round-Up – October 2023

    […] Flash Fiction – Roots […]

    Reply
  3. Nicole Horlings avatar
    Nicole Horlings

    This is an inspiring tale of determination, Hugh.

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

      Thank you, Nicole. My lesson from this tale is ‘never give up.’

      Reply
  4. A Blade of Grass Collection « Carrot Ranch Literary Community avatar
    A Blade of Grass Collection « Carrot Ranch Literary Community

    […] Roots by Hugh W. Roberts […]

    Reply
  5. Norah avatar
    Norah

    Fabulous, Hugh. Even one blade of grass, one Hugh, can make a difference.

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

      Indeed, it takes just one of anything to make such a difference, Norah. I think this blade of grass tells us all an important lesson.

      Reply
      1. Norah avatar
        Norah

        I think so too.

        Reply
  6. Janis @ RetirementallyChallenged.com avatar
    Janis @ RetirementallyChallenged.com

    Excellent, Hugh. Sometimes one blade of grass – or a single person – can make a difference. (I guess either in a positive or negative way – I just read a story about the vandal who cut down the Sycamore Gap tree. I’m not sure what kind of person does that.)

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

      Janis, the whole of the UK is in shock at the tree in Sycamore Gap being cut down. All that history gone in a fe minutes. They do say that the tree will regrow, but none of us will be here to witness the tree growing to the size it was when cut down.

      Your comment ended up in my spam folder. Not sure why WordPress thought it spam, but thankfully, I don’t get any spam anymore. WordPress seem to have waived some kind of magic wand and got rid of it all.

      Reply
      1. Janis @ RetirementallyChallenged.com avatar
        Janis @ RetirementallyChallenged.com

        WordPress in general has seemed a bit wonky lately. I am getting a lot of comments from “Anonymous” and I can’t always leave comments on sites that have never been a problem before. Now, I guess I’m going to spam jail. Thanks for rescuing me! :)

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

          There are some issues surrounding the new comments box, Janis. If you’re getting comments from Anonymous, it may have something to do with the settings on your blog where you’ve allowed anyone to leave comments regardless of wether they are logged into WordPress or not.

          This post gives more details.

          Do You Crave More People To Engage With On Your Blog? Check These Settings Now.

          Reply
  7. Terri Webster Schrandt avatar
    Terri Webster Schrandt

    Cool story, Hugh! I love it when nature wins. A hint of the Mockingjay from The Hunger Games, a symbol of rebellion, that’s what the blade of grass reminded me of. I better be careful with the weeds that are breaking through the cracks in our walkway. I figure the snow will eventually wear ’em down. LOL!

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

      The cold weather and snow will certainly keep them ay bay, Terri. Of course, we never know what goes on underground, though.

      I’ve never seen The Hunger Games movies. For some reason, the trailers never temped me. Have you ever seen a movie called ‘The Maze Runners?’ I enjoyed the first one, and there are several more for me to catch up on.

      Reply
      1. Terri Webster Schrandt avatar
        Terri Webster Schrandt

        What I liked about The Hunger Games, the first movie, it was true to the book. The whole set may still be on Netflix. I will check out Maze Runners, thanks Hugh!

        Reply
  8. JT Twissel avatar
    JT Twissel

    Wow – I hope it never gets to that point but your vision may be spot on.

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

      Do you think so? I think you may be right. The plant world will reclaim the Earth one day.

      Reply
  9. Dave Williams avatar
    Dave Williams

    I like this blade of grass as a rebel. I can easily imagine weeds growing in sidewalk cracks, and it’s a strong symbol!

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

      Yes, I see them growing between the cracks of the sidewalks and pavements, with hardly anyone else taking much notice of them. They’re checking the human race out, and planning when to strike so they can save the planet.

      Reply
  10. Cathy avatar
    Cathy

    That might not be too much of a stretch, Hugh. Doesn’t bear thinking about…

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

      After what happened at Sycamore Gap, I would not be at all surprised if it happens one day, Cathy.

      Reply
      1. Cathy avatar
        Cathy

        I can’t understand what people get out of such pointless acts of vandalism. Such a shame to ruin such a beautiful landmark. I hope whoever did it gets what they deserve.

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

          I agree, Cathy. All that history gone in a matter of minutes. I was so sad when I heard of the news of what happened.

          Reply
          1. Cathy avatar
            Cathy

            Me too. We’ve been there and it was incredible.

            Reply

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