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Today I’ve gone with Mad Monk, my first mad monk tale. Everyone should write at least one
PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot
The tramp of the pious and possessed to worship had worn smooth the path through the cloister but now the edifice crumbled and weeds cracked the flags.
Recently, the monks had passed faster than replacements could be recruited. There remained but one decrepit, cadaverous man eking out his days on prayer and potage, too weak to tend the buildings or fight nature’s advance.
Sulking into his broth, he wished he’d spared at least one for company and chores. “Lord, I did as you bid,” he screamed to the vaulted ceiling. “Why didn’t you let me keep one for my old age?”
Written for Friday Fictioneers – a 100 words story based on a photo prompt. Hosted by Rochelle. Read the other entries here.
Michael Wynn 
That’s what comes of listening to voices
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It is, you still have to interpret them and he’s got it totally inside out. Thanks Neil
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Oh dear. I’m not sure if the others just passed on or if he knocked them off, but he’s on his own now, either way!
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He knocked them off and then realised he had no one to do the work. Sinister but dopey. Thanks Draliman
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I’m just wondering what kind of chores he was hoping they would do for him… Maybe that’s why he wasn’t allowed to “keep” one…
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He’s a user and abuser Dale, wants everything done for him, control and power and all that. Horrible monk, he wants a slave. Thanks Dale
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Goodness. What did the Lord ask him to do?! Good mad monk story. I shall have to work on one myself.
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Thanks Iain, I think every author should have a mad monk story in their portfolio, rites of passage and all that.
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Yes, he’s mad alright. Poor guy. Good story, Michael. 🙂 —- Suzanne
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Thnaks Suzanne
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Shudders and shivers 🙂 Excellent story.
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Thank you, Linda
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Dear Michael,
He doesn’t sound like a person I’d want to share a monastery with. Creepy fellow that one. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yeah, Rochelle, he’s completely derailed. Thanks
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Ugh, what has he done to them? He’s clearly out of his mind. Very good mad monk story.
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I think he’s slowly but surely poisoned them, killed them off at least because of voices in his head telling him to. Thanks for the comment
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Well done! You left so many unanswered questions. What has he done? What did he do? Who, exactly, was giving him commands?
(P.S. “Why didn’t let me keep one for my old age?” ~ I think this sentence is missing a “you”.)
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Thanks Alicia, I’ve corrected the mistake and one awful schoolboy error you didn’t pick up on, received instead of received. I before e and all that.
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Excellent tale! Mad monk indeed!
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Thanks Violet
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Creepy fun!
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Thanks Dawn
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