“Two of us died on that boat. Three of us lived only by the skin of our teeth, and only because the Coast Guard saved us.”
I softly cleared my throat, laid my pen down and looked him in the eyes,
“Will you tell me what led you and the others to climb on that tiny boat?”
“Freedom. Simple as that. We couldn't live there no more under that dictator.”
“Has it been worth it?”
“They shot my little brother and cousin for watching television. A damn soccer game. So…to answer your question…. yep, freedom is damn sure worth it.”
~100 words
(copyright) Georgia Koch
The magical authoress, Rochelle Wisoff-Fields, creator of the blog, Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple, is the gracious host of the Friday Fictioneers Challenge for all of the fabulous writers, and me. Georgia Koch has generously loaned us the photo prompt photo of which we are challenged to weave a story (beginning, middle and end) with 100 words or less, and to make every word count.
If you would like to jump into this challenge, please click on: Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple, for more information.
BEAUTIFUL WORDS 
I enjoyed this short short. I think it really speaks to the photo. Very imaginitive!
Thank you. When I read the others I think, “why am I even bothering.” LOL, because it is fun!! Thank you for reading. 🙂
Wow, that is great!
Ahh, thank you so much but if you want to read ‘great’, you should read the others’. They are fantastic writers!
I will head over 🙂
If only we could say that something like this would never really happen. Very poignant.
Yes, if only we could. 😦
Great use of the prompt! I wish I had thought of it.
Dawn, I think it has only been a couple of days since those 13 young teenage boys were shot and killed for watching soccer on television over in the middle east. I forget where, but it was horrific! I couldn’t help but write about it. Thank you for reading!! ((Hugs))
I missed that news…how horrible.
Yes! tragic.
Good use of the prompt. It reminds me of the story I wrote for the Route 66 sign. Depressed people doing anything they can to get away. Cheers!
I was just explaining to Dawn about those 13 young teen boys that were shot and killed (somewhere in the middle east) for watching soccer on t.v. I haven’t been able to get that picture out of my mind. So tragic!
A great, and topical, response to the prompt. Well done. 🙂
Thank you very much fairy! 🙂
It has always touched me that people from so many troubled places will risk everything in rickety boats. I still remember when bodies were washing up in Florida– from packed boats from Haiti, and Cuba. Great use of the prompt!
Thank you! I based this on the latest news from the middle east. Thirteen young teen boys were shot to death for watching soccer on television. So tragic.
Yes, here is the link: http://nypost.com/2015/01/19/isis-executes-13-teens-for-watching-soccer/ Horrific! There are not enough words, when discussing ISIS.
They cannot even be called animals. Animals is too good of a word for them. They are Monsters.
No, I would certainly not defile animals by comparing them to ISIS. Truly sick.
Thank you for the link.
I like the depth of imagination and afairymind is right it’s great and topical:)
Thank you so much!!
You brought back the memories of stories we used to hear about Cuban children being put on boats to escape Castro’s oppression. Nice job!
Chris
Yes, I remember hearing about that. This post was directed mainly to ISIS and their murdering by public execution those 13 young teens for watching soccer on television! Horrific!
Just terrible, senseless, and evil
Yes, I agree. Beyond evil and not in a good direction either.
Oh, this is such a Beautiful tribute ❤ . i didn't know about teenagers being shot until now, so sad. But when I Read this, instantly thought of the fighting zones and people trying to escape. Your last line has been ringing in my mind- freedom is sure worth it. 🙂
Absolutely! There are a huge number of men and women who have sacrificed their lives so that we have it and keep it. I hope and pray ISIS spontaneously combusts! LOL!!
I am so with you on it! 😄😄
Great idea for the prompt. I too read that news items with mounting horror. You’ve captured that.
Thank you Sandra. I am afraid that 100 words were not enough for me to communicate the horror this news.
Dear PJ,
Your story says it all in a nutshell. Well conceived and executed.
Aloha,
Doug
Thank you Doug.
Dear Joy,
Well said. Well written.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you Rochelle.
I haven’t read that true story but your flash captured the emotion.
Thank you. 🙂
Such a tragic tale, and still very common. I don’t know how we deal with the refugee situation this world creates, but your story is a useful reminder that the people are real and individual, even when the situation is too big to contemplate.
I agree with you. There is a problem with incoming illegals and refugees and the amount of need that exists is overwhelming for one nation to handle. Thank you for your comment. 🙂 Best wishes!
it just shows how much others are willing to sacrifice – life itself even – for a chance to enjoy the freedom we take for granted.
That is so very true. There is a lot of terrible stuff going on out there, so much worse than what is going on in the US.
I can’t imagine taking such a journey. Takes a very strong sort of person. Changed lives. Great survivor’s story, Joy.
I hadn’t read about the teens being executed. I’ve stopped reading about this group and have almost stopped reading the news.
Ellespeth
Thank you Ellsbeth! I understand about not reading or listening to the news because it is so depressing and getting worse! If I could have, I would have written more about that evil and disgraceful execution. When I think about it I get so worked up that it is best I don’t even think about it. Thank you again and best wishes!
Great story, and very topical. The lengths people are driven to to find freedom.
Yes, that is true! After the execution of those 13 teens (and other horrific things we hear about) who could blame them? I would probably do the same thing – risk my life for freedom. Thank you!!
The craving for freedom lucidly narrated. A lovely take.
Thank you so much. 🙂
Anybody who watches football (soccer to you) on television ought to be executed. Except for my husband of course. 🙂 I find the idea that anyone would cast themselves to sea in a boat seeking freedom to watch football (soccer to you) on television stunningly comic. Thanks for the laugh! Nice to meet you. Ann
Actually, it is football to me. About a week ago 13 young teenage boys were publicly executed by ISIS because they caught them watching soccer on television. This is why I put this in my post because I am so outraged over it.
I had not heard of this particular atrocity. There was no intimation of it in your story.
I only had 100 words for my story. It is a writing challenge using a photo prompt. We are to write a story with a beginning, middle, and end with 100 words or less.
And I liked your story even not knowing (like others) the backstory! 🙂
Thank you
🙂
🙂
Actually, I’ve personal reasons to be concerned about the activities of the Boko Haram who in Nigeria recently murdered 2000+ and have just invaded northern Chad. They are behind the kidnapping of all those schoolgirls last year (whose whereabouts are still unknown, but we can imagine what has happened to them). ‘Boko Haram’ means ‘No to western education’. Depravity and barbarism seems to have taken on even darker meanings.
I am friends with a woman here on WordPress who is from Nigeria and she is familiar with this terrible story. I am as well but probably not to the same extent as her other than Cruel and Inhuman Acts to Humanity. It is so evil and despicable.
Impossible to comprehend. I keep my balance in knowing that – and it’s the same in terms of animal cruelty – we would not know of the atrocities, and be able to act, were it not for the good and humane people who report it back to us. And getting back to stories, it occurred to to me that my own this week is, in an entirely different way, also about someone choosing freedom over slavery via that boat! Ann
I think animal cruelty is despicable too.
Yep.
To flee by boats.. it seemed to repeat itself, all the way from people crossing the baltic, sea to the Australia, the Mediterranean of today.. such a general story, yet each different refugee have their different story..Cuba, Vietnam, Syria,, if you make it alive it’s worth it, if you don’t … maybe still so.
I don’t know Bjorn, after hearing about those 13 boys that were executed for watching soccer on television, I think, for me at least, it would be worth it, even if I didn’t make it. Thank you for reading and for responding. Your opinion matters. 🙂 Best wishes!
The worst part is knowing that somewhere, for someone, this story is true. Well done.
Thank you. Yes, it is true for far too many. 😦 Thank you for reading and for your comment. 🙂
Freedom… We all want it. Such a good use of a news story. Nicely done.
Thank you. 🙂
Yes, it is very sad for those who do not have it.
We’re a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community.
Your website offered us with valuable information to work on.
You’ve done a formidable job and our entire
community will be thankful to you.
Thank you for visiting my website and for the kind compliment. I wish you, your group, and your community continued success. Best wishes.
Thank you for reading my blog. I would love to know what you are doing for your community. Best wishes!
Dear Priceless Joy, I think the atrocities that ISIS inflicts on the world is evil itself. There have always been terrorists throughout time, but these poor excuses for humans are the worst I can remember. They should be eliminated and the scourge they have inflicted. Poor boys – just watching a soccer game – what a shame. Good story. Nan 🙂
Thank you Nan. I totally and completely agree with you. They need to be eliminated and as quickly as possible. Thank you again! 🙂
I really liked your story, Joy. You balanced a fictional story with a real-life situation/event which leaves the reader – or at least this reader – more than just simply entertained, but with the thought and knowledge that there are more important things out there than just ourselves.
Thank you so much. I appreciate you reading and your opinion. It’s a tough situation. If I were a rancher with cattle and calves I would want to protect them too. Of course, wolves are going to be wolves and do that which is in their instinct and nature. Thank you again!