Innocence on snow

PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson

 

“What’s your favourite animal?” Clifford blew into his gloved hands and rubbed them together. He glanced at his step-daughter who skipped and hopped beside him. Each time her boots kicked up snow, she giggled. And something warm kindled inside him. He hoped she was warm enough.

“That’s easy. Unicorns.” She answered without skipping a beat.

“Unicorns? Izzy, they’re not real.” He bit his lip.

She stopped and bent to draw in the snow. “How do you know?”

“Well, I’ve never seen one.”

“Doesn’t mean they’re not there.” A snowball hit him square in the face and Izzy skipped away, laughing.

100 words

Written for Friday Fictioneers hosted by talented author and artist, Rochelle. Write a story in 100 words or less. Click the blue frog to read more flash fiction from other writers.

 

Thanks to Dale Rogerson for providing this week’s image prompt. Cosy and warm, despite the obvious cold weather. Personally, I hope Izzy always believes in the magic of unicorns.

 

Responses

  1. neilmacdon avatar
    neilmacdon

    There is a space un our bestiary where unicorns would live if they existed. And so, in a sense, they do.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      I think you’re the grown up version of Izzy that I hoped she would become. In that you still believe in some magic of the world, and in the adult world, that’s truly a gift, Neil. I’m trying to find my magic again. Thanks for commenting. 🙂

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply
  2. yarnspinnerr avatar
    yarnspinnerr

    I think that a good flash contains at least one of the following elements …… magic, serenity, sorcery and mystery. This has more than one.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      I’ll keep those points in mind! And thank you YS, hopefully it has magic and serenity. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. yarnspinnerr avatar
        yarnspinnerr

        Loved the magic and serenity in this one. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  3. rgayer55 avatar
    rgayer55

    I recently read that it’s easier to write humor if you stay in touch with your five-year-old self. I try to work on that every day. Adults are far too serious.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Oh adults are way too serious! I can only imagine the things you get up to, to stay in touch with your inner child. 😊

      Like

      Reply
  4. ceayr avatar
    ceayr

    Do you know that the Unicorn is the National Animal of Scotland?
    Like Izzy, we believe in magic.
    Love the story.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Really? That’s so cool. Scotland is a magical place so it makes sense. If unicorns had to be found anywhere it would be Scotland 😊

      Like

      Reply
      1. ceayr avatar
        ceayr

        Having a little party with Nessie and a family of Haggises, perhaps?

        Like

  5. Iain Kelly avatar
    Iain Kelly

    I’m not going to be the one to let Izzy down 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Keep believing, Iain!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  6. subroto avatar
    subroto

    So not the tiny purple headed dragon then? I though their size would make them easier to handle than unicorns.
    Cute story.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Ha ha! Izzy has much bigger dreams and can handle larger creatures. But I’m sure if she ever found out about the purple headed dragon it would have a special place in her heart too.

      Like

      Reply
  7. pennygadd51 avatar
    pennygadd51

    A lovely story! Izzy’s successful ambush of her step-dad with the snowball made me grin with delight!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Thank you, Penny. She’s a smart and fun-spirited child.

      Like

      Reply
  8. Alicia Jamtaas avatar
    Alicia Jamtaas

    Oh, I believe in unicorns. Why not? Izzy and her father made me smile.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Exactly, Alicia. 😊 glad to have made you smile too.

      Like

      Reply
  9. Dale avatar
    Dale

    Adults need to stop not believing… the world would be a much nicer place. And I love the relationship between him and is step-daughter. They are not always so easy.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      It is the start of a beautiful relationship 😊 though I can imagine that the children don’t accept the changes so easily. And the step-parents find it difficult to connect too.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  10. Moon avatar
    Moon

    Lovely story, Fatima.
    I love Izzy. She is the very definition of child.
    Beautiful dialog and writing.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Thank you, Moon. I love Izzy too. I’d like to think of her as my inner child. 😊

      Like

      Reply
  11. rochellewisoff avatar
    rochellewisoff

    Dear Fatima,

    I like the way Izzy got in the last word. A snowball in the face leaves no room for argument. Love the story and the voice. I love unicorns, too.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      She’s just too sweet and feisty isn’t she? I’m glad you liked the voice of the story. Was trying something different. Thank you, Rochelle 😊

      Like

      Reply

Leave a reply to subroto Cancel reply