PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot
Jude pushed the little boat into the shallow river before leaping aboard and letting the lazy current begin his meander downstream.
He’d watched the river rolling through their trifling portion of unspoilt countryside his whole life, until the village became a prison to him, where he endured a stifled existence.
His father had left this way all those years ago. His leaving upset Jude’s mother and he had hated him for it but now he understood.
Today he would hurt her all over again, for he too had to know what was beyond the bend and where the river wound.
Written for Friday Fictioneers – a 100 words story based on a photo prompt. Hosted by Rochelle. Read the other entries here.
Michael Wynn 
Nothing you come back from if his Father is any indication.
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His father didn’t have the right to leave really as he had the responsibility of a family but sometimes a small town just doesn’t hold enough to satisfy the appetite of the curious.
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I kind of think this will be a classic case of “curiosity killed the cat.”
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Old enough to see the other side of it now, I guess.
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And to feel the need to explore and discover. Thanks Sandra
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Simple and beautiful, Michael
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Thanks Neil
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Eventually they all have to spread their wings and go see the world. nicely done.
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Thanks Iain
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I like the feeling of adventure in your tale along with desire and very little regret.
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Thanks Alicia. He’s come of age where he wants to know things, discover new things and enrich his life beyond what his home can offer him
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I felt that. Kudos.
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The song that pops up for me is “Across The River” by Bruce Hornsby and The Range. You just described what a person has to do and how they hurt by leaving. Quite well done.
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Thanks. Yes, holding someone back is never good but letting them go can hurt so much they feel they have to escape without a proper discussion and warning
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Dear Michael,
Descriptive and evocative piece. A novel in a hundred words. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle
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A nice way of showing how children eventually understand their parents decisions as they grow older. And also how parents can hold their children back from life’s adventures.
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You’ve nailed it with that comment, thanks. I do think though his father had a responsibility to stay
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Time to break free. A delightful little tale.
Click to read my FriFic!
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Thank you, sorry for the late reply
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I can’t help, but feel sorry for his mother. A lovely piece.
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Yes but she shouldn’t stand in the way of his ambition, although the father had more responsibility to stay
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I hope his mom figures it out and gets her own boat 🙂
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Some people are content to stray no more than a mile from home all their lives, others just have to see what the world holds. Thanks for reading
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He gets the urge for goin’.
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Eventually you just have to break out. Thanks for reading
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Such a lot of wisdom packed into 100 words and poignant in so many ways. We’re so perverse: the more we fee pressured to stay, the more we feel this urge to go check out the options.
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Simply lovely tale. Loved the descriptions and understood his need to see what was beyond the bend.
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Thank you. I appreciate your support
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This reminded me of Huck Finn. Nicely written, Michael.
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There is much in this piece, beyond its 100 words. Jude’s longing to move on was well captured, as was his adult understanding of his father’s leaving many years before.
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Jude’s angst at leaving and thirst for knowledge both come across so strongly. His mother’s despair will be a while other story. Well done.
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