PHOTO PROMPT © Janet Webb
At one time powerful carthorses relentlessly towed heavy-laden narrow boats along hoof-beaten towpaths. Hot necks straining, muscles flicking, strong heads bowed. The waterway was busy and constantly churned.
However, time slowed and creeping coarse grass covered the path. The algae-stifled canal now flows wearily round abandoned shopping trolleys, sticking up like modern, chrome Excaliburs in the kingdom of the frog.
To avoid fines and castigation the supermarket deployed employees to retrieve the trollies and it was they, complaining about the stench, who dragged up from the stagnant depths, Maria, last seen four years ago mourning the still-birth of her baby.
Written for Friday Fictioneers – a 100 words story based on a photo prompt. Hosted by Rochelle. Read the other entries here.
Michael Wynn 
You painted two powerful pictures.
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Thanks Mike, glad you thought so
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Dear Michael,
Interesting build of descriptions to a disturbing end. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle. Pleased it worked for you
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A beautiful, terrible story. Well written which only makes the punch at the end that much more powerful.
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Thank-you. Pleased you liked it and your comments are much appreciated
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sticking up like modern, chrome Excaliburs in the kingdom of the frog. Striking line.
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Thank-you. From the real thing to chrome, it’s sort of how society seems to have gone
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A very grim scene. I loved “modern, chrome Excaliburs in the kingdom of the frog”.
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Thank-you. I was hoping that sentence worked
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I love the description of the carthorses. You nailed it! 🙂
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Thanks Clare. Carthorses are such magnificent beasts just waiting to be described
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I like how the detailed description of the place’s past and prestent shows a logical progression. I like the Excaliburs, the kingdom of the frog–a hint at who is the true ruler of the place, development or not, and then, unexpected, the sad ending. Great story.
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Thank-you for some very thoughtful comments. Much appreciated
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You’ve covered so much here. I’m impressed. Some great images, and the ending blew me away.
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Thank-you Margaret. It’s always a challenge to try to fit as much as possible into 100 words. It’s good when someone says it’s worked.
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