So cold
Yesterday the government informed the country, that we the people must no longer burn coal.
At the railway yard, there are several piles of coal. All are white washed. You approach with two younger children, pulling a small wooden cart. In the darkness you expect to succeed.
In his shelter a sentry hears the rumble of wheels. He waits till the cart is full, then you are apprehended, taken to his pillbox and sternly rebuked. The coal left behind, you return to a freezings house. The sentries brazier now glows brightly.
At the moment I flounder in my attempts to comment, so please accept my apologies. I do attempt to read every flash posted on Friday Fictioneers. There where some fine stories last week
This Post Has 29 Comments
Let them burn cake
If only there was cake available.
And a cold story in the telling too, Michael. You capture the atmosphere so well.
Thank you Jenne,
You’re on a roll, Michael. Second in a row. Very well executed.
Thank you so very much
Dear Michael,
A sad and bleak tale. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you Rochelle… In life there are many such events.
I’d allow them to take his coal and warm the house. Great emotional tale. Well done.
Some railways even painted the coal with white wash, so they knew if any was removed
Well done. A sad state of affairs that happens all too often…
Sad and true, thank you Dale
One rule for him, another for the rest. A sorry tale indeed.
Here’s mine!
Hi Keith but how else is a soldier to keep warm.
We are one of the species that preys upon its own kind. Wouldn’t it interesting to learn that the food chain was inverted and fungi were really at the top?
it happens. there’s always an exception to the rule.
We’ve been no strangers to “people who uphold the rules breaking them” just recently.
Unfortunate truth that many times this is how things go. Well written story, Michael.
Thank you so much Anne,
A grim and well told story, Michael.
It was a grim time,
Nice piece of social satire, Michael.
Thank you Penny,
Why is it that people in the government most often see themselves as ‘the government’ and not ‘the people’! This is a tale for all generations – only the coal changes.
I very much appreciate your feedback, it is so true
A sad tale, and too true in too many places. Not always coal, but the general idea. Great story, Michael.
Hunger and cold, are powerful motivators
This is a situation in which the government needs to provide an alternative before enforcing a ban.
That is very true,