This week’s FF picture (courtesy of Kent Bonham) reminded me of something else. In case it doesn’t have the same effect on you, another picture follows the story. Thanks, as ever to Rochelle for hosting us all; you can find many other stories through her site.
In Memoriam
That summer, we built a ramp. Dad found some wood in the shed and I helped him saw and screw, sand and stain it, then we ceremoniously lowered it into the corner of the pond and banged a couple of nails in to keep it steady.
I used to imagine elves and fairies using it as a slide, covered with ice in winter. But nothing could remove the image from my mind: Mrs Tiggywinkle floating face down among the marsh marigolds. I obviously wasn’t the only one. Three years later, Dad filled the pond and planted wildflowers over her grave.
elmowrites 
I enjoyed the image of them working together on the ramp and the imaginings that followed. Reality was evidently not quite so enjoyable, especially for Mrs. Tiggywinkle. Love the way you got her in there (but not into the water.) 🙂
janet
Now who the heck is Mrs Tiggywinkle? Is she a neighbour? A neighbour’s cat? Anyway, I enjoyed the ramp. I looks like the kind of ramp they have here in England along the canals, so that aquatic animals can get in and out of the steep walled bodies of water…. I think more people drown is backyard ponds than ever drown in these miles and miles of canals!
Poor deprived child, didn’t you ever read Beatrix Potter? Mrs Tiggywinkle is exactly the sort of creature those ramps are designed to help – a hedgehog taking a drink from the pond.
Oh! Such a lovely story with such a tragic twist in it. This one’s a keeper. Well done.
Poor Mrs. Tiggywinkle. Hedgehogs and ponds are not a good mix.
Love it
Yeah, I thought someone might find a thing or two in that pond other than fish. Story works well.
Ophelia! It’s Hamlet!
Scott
Mine: http://kindredspirit23.wordpress.com/2013/11/13/5564/
Poor Mrs Tiggywinkle 😦
A tale of something which started out as a fun time with endless possibilities turns sour. Somewhat allegorical perhaps?
I hadn’t thought of it that way, but possibly!
Not a good end for Mrs Tiggywinkle, she should never have tried to branch out from children’s stories. Poor soul.
Dear Jenn,
While the Beatrix Potter reference went over my head (deprived child that I was) it didn’t diminish my enjoyment for your story or your writing. You’ve covered three years of a child’s life in 100 words. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
This is an outrage. Did her stories never make it across the big pond? Like Mrs T, did they get caught in the marsh marigolds just off the British coast? Well, you’ve missed a lot, but I’m glad you still enjoyed the story.
Poor little Mrs. Tiggywinkle! An imaginative story. And the photo you added–lovely!!!
Save the hedgehogs! We had a pond when I was a kid, but the marsh marigolds were shallow enough that any errant hedgehogs could probably have used them to get out. We certainly never had a casualty, thank goodness.
The details painted as vivid a scene as your lovely photo, Jenn. Beautiful writing.
Very sad. And an empathetic dad.
What a Dad-not only was he handy but sensitive too:-)Great piece!
Yeah, I guess that sort of image would stay with you.
🙂
Ooh, very nice. So much imagination and pain.
Oh yes, Mrs Tiggywinkle takes me back to my Potter days. I loved those books! But I was sad too as poor Mrs. T went down in the pond. Great story.
Hurray! Someone else who knows the real literary meaning of the word Potter! Thanks for backing me up here.
great job. I wonder what you could do in 3,000 words or so.
Imagine 50,000 – my nanowrimo novel! But honestly, there is a magic in these 100 word stories I often struggle to find in longer ones.
Oh gosh. I’ve had similar experiences trying to ‘help’ wildlife in the garden. You really have to think it through. You learn from your mistakes, but oh some of those mistakes … ! Also, to pinch a quote from Pinkola Estes – who encourages women to keep a garden, – everything that happens in a garden, happens in life.
A different take than mine, obviously haha, but I really liked the shift in tone at the end – and the little hint about what’s going on in the dad’s head worked to give it even more impact.
Thanks Brian, I think the Dad is a sensitive guy too, although obviously a little less traumatised than his daugther
NO! Not Mrs Tiggywinkle! Such sad imagery… that said, each line was beautifully crafted. Busy weekend, but better late, than never. 😉
Late is fine by me. Thank you for stopping by and leaving your kind words.
Usually, I get mine posted and spend some time reading the others, but last week was crazy busy! I really missed the connection I feel when I get to write and read!
Excellent piece of writing.
And happy that AnElephant isn’t the only one bumping folk off this week!