Welcome to the Wakefield Doctrine (the theory of clarks, scotts and rogers)
This is the Wakefield Doctrine’s contribution to jenne and ceayr‘s bloghop, the Unicorn Challenge.
The rules are simple. Write a story inspired by the photo of the week. Keep it to (or under) 250 words. Pretty simple, isn’t it?
It isn’t. But here’s the photo and our take. Be sure to read and comment at all the entries and tell ya friends.
The hillside grew to his right with each sneakered-step. The level ground, worn into the primordial hill did not threaten, nor did it ignore. It merely became more and more unavoidable.
The center of the lane, at first step, a broad thoroughfare. It offered adventure and companionship; surely, to the young there can be no more direct expression of the gift of life. Not yet ten, the sources of instruction in the world beyond home are few in number. Catechesis, surely the more effective, just behind sordid cautionary tales from big kids.
The grass growing in the lane evidenced an increased vitality. The beginnings of an inchoate dissonance began to grow as the hillside loomed, the shoulder of a friendly adult blocking the heat of the sun and the view of home.
The cabin, set into the hill, looked interesting and, in a certain way threatening; unfortunately experience in the most important contexts, i.e. life, does not favor the young.
The door was open, curiosity elbow-wrapped caution around the a young neck and darkness ate the boy’s innocence.
~~~
“How was your day?”
The loving words of his mother filled the kitchen with welcome and taught the boy the first lesson of Sin: ‘Participation is nine-tenths of condemnation’.
“OK”
And the second, even more insidious wisdom: ‘What they don’t know can’t hurt you’.
“I think I’ll just go to my room and read until dinner.”
* says it right here: (God said, ‘What Day is it? Friday?!?! Lets get this party started!)
About clarkscottroger
Excellent and thought-provoking, Clark, if decidedly more Dr Lecter than the lovely Ms Starling.
It seems that my co-host might indeed be darkening your world-view, but if this is the effect on your writing, then more power to the night!
Thanks, ceayr
“…with a nice chianti”*
*one of my pet peeves (besides the book being better than the movie) was the mispronunciation of chianti
Did you darken the picture, or is it just the effect of your words darkening my mind?
‘…curiosity elbow-wrapped caution around the young neck and darkness ate the boy’s innocence.’ Quite splendid. So much said in this story by what is hinted at in the growing darkness. And oh, the sore isolation of the ending. Innocence replaced by the separation of fear and shame.
Into what dark realms have I inadvertently encouraged you, Clark? And yet, as C. E. says – well, implies – the story is very good.
The irony, of course, is that this week my story is light-filled. I was feeling the weight of my dark tales!
NB: From next week, and for the following few weeks, the Unicorn Challenge will be published on Saturdays, since all true Scots will be flying home for the annual Unicorn Games and Nessie Spotting.
Well! Then we are in complete agreement.
…it’s all ceayr’s fault.
lol
(no, seriously! I like his stories. The Doctrine would claim to be able to distinguish one predominant worldview from the other given only a pile of Unicorn submissions*)
*really, it’s that good.
Sinister and horrific circumstance that has me caring for the well-being of the poor victim.
as would I.
surely nothin is more heinous than the deliberate abuse of the young
No child should learn this way.
agree
So he discovered one of the last libraries left in the world that hasn’t had all its books burnt? What a cause for celebration as he celebrates his enlightenment with “I think I’ll just go to my room and read until dinner.” Or did I miss something?
(…and, being a bit chilled, when he returned home, the first thing he did was set the thermostat to 451*.)
* or 232.7778 for those of you still bearing under the yolk of the metric system**
** referenced over here in the New World as ‘Royale with Cheese’
Now I’m wondering just what the hell went on in that place and I’ve got a pretty good idea is wasn’t consensual.
It almost felt wrong to ‘like’ this somewhat disturbing tale.
I totally know what you mean.
(thanks)