Naledi’s secret

PHOTO PROMPT © Liz Young

The shimmer caught her eye. At first Naledi thought it was a bottle, dumped by the storm. She let go of Mother’s hand and leaped over a broken door to get a closer look. She squealed, her hand flew to her mouth. She peeked behind her, Mother dabbed her eyes and Father rubbed her back.

She poked the shiny red stone, the gold necklace twisting around it. The storm fairies brought it here! Naledi clutched it to her chest. She knew exactly where to hide it: in her jewellery box Father gave her on her birthday.

96 words

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*******

At this very moment Cyclone Dineo has hit Mozambique. What was first a tropical storm was upgraded to a full cyclone status in the last twenty four hours. It’s effects will be felt as far as South Africa and Botswana, where I live. Although it will have weakened and only heavy rainfall is expected in the northernmost parts such as the Okavango delta. It is quite unusual to have cyclones in Southern Africa, perhaps global warming is to blame. The last cyclone I remember personally experiencing was over a decade ago in Cape Town, but that was considered an exception rather than the norm.

This week’s flash fiction is inspired by Cyclone Dineo. Praying and hoping the destruction is minimal and no loss of life will occur in my neighbouring countries.

*****

Thanks to Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers. Why not give it a try? Read more flash fiction here.

Responses

  1. James avatar

    Thanks for connecting the fiction to fact.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar

      Thank you James, and you’re welcome! Guess it’s the journalist in me.

      Like

  2. neilmacdon avatar

    Hoping the storm fairies are gentle with you

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar

      Me too! We’re expecting only heavy rainfall and thunderstorms by the time the storm reaches Botswana. So I think we’ll be okay.

      Like

  3. Sandra avatar

    Good story, stay safe.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Iain Kelly avatar

    Gruesome discovery! Hope nothing similar occurs in real life. Stay safe.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Liz Young avatar

    I hadn’t heard about this cyclose – hope there isn’t too much damage.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar

      Thanks for reading Liz, and for the unique photo prompt! We’ll have to wait and see. It literally is just making landfall now, Mozambique bearing the brunt of it. There are live tweets going if you want to follow.

      Like

  6. rochellewisoff avatar

    Dear Fatima,

    Nicely done. Stay safe.

    Shalom,

    Rocelle

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar

      Thank you, Rochelle!

      Like

  7. Dale avatar

    Oh dear… I’ve a friend on her way home to Botswana as we speak!
    Stay safe, Fatima. Oh… and good story! 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar

      I hope your friend arrives safely too. Thanks Dale!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Dale avatar

        So do I… mind you, she was grounded at Heathrow at our last chat..

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar

        And I think she’ll stay grounded till Friday at least by the look of things.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Dale avatar

        Oh my…

        Liked by 1 person

  8. jellico84 avatar

    Love it!

    Liked by 1 person

  9. FabricatingFiction avatar

    Such a deep meaning behind this story. I pray for minimal damage.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar

      Thanks for taking time to read my fiction. And for your prayers too 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Rowena avatar

    Thinking of you in the storms. We had a nasty storm here yesterday and more rain, lightening and thunder now. The clouds yesterday had a real sinister quality. We had a blackout,but fortunately lights came back on before it went dark.
    Hope your storm clears without too much damage.
    xx Rowena

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar

      I gleaned from your blog that you stay in Tasmania? What a beautiful place. I think Botswana got the least impact only threat of flash floods but on alert. Thank you Rowena!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Rowena avatar

        I live in Greater Sydney but we’ve just spent 3 weeks in Tasmania and there was so much to share that I still haven’t arrived home on the blog. I think I’ve been back 3 weeks.
        Hope the floods settle down quickly.
        xx Rowena

        Liked by 1 person

  11. Michael Wynn avatar

    That was great and the background helped immensely. I hope all goes well.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar

      Thank you Michael. The storm has lessened to heavy rains. If news reports are reliable, Mozambique has had some structural damage and a few deaths. Not much, but one life lost is always one too many. We’re okay in Botswana.

      Like

  12. justjoyfulness avatar

    Hope you and your dear ones are well, Fatima.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar

      Thank you for reading and for your well wishes! We are okay, just more rain than usual. But it comes after a dreadful drought, so it’s welcome too. Prayers for Mozambique which was devastated by the storm.

      Like

  13. Tamal avatar

    It is the global warming. We have plenty of Cyclones here in Bangladesh. Nasty things. Nice story though.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Fatima Fakier Deria avatar

      Well if global warming is to blame, then it looks like we are set for more bad weather as it gets worse over the years. Thank you Tamal. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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