Digging for 21st-century gold

PHOTO PROMPT © Na’ama Yehuda

 

The article stated it was the worst drought in decades, quoting researcher-facts and interspersed with images of wildlife writhing on cracked mud. The last time Lake Ngami dried up was in the eighties.

The sun burned the backs of Kgosi and his men as they dug a hole, deep and wide enough, for underground water to seep into it. A man-made water hole. It wouldn’t last long. Wild animals would travel far in search of water. Next Saturday they would dig another one a few kilometers east of this hole.

Kgosi hoped the rains would come soon.

97 words

Written for Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. Write a story in 100 words or less, click the frog to share your flash fiction and read what others have written.

Fresh water will one day be the wealth of future nations.

bigfred

Responses

  1. Iain Kelly avatar
    Iain Kelly

    A timely tale, I like that you used the prompt to look at a contrasting scenario without rain.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      I think it’s because I just read an article about Lake Ngami drying up. And lately I’ve been looking to the skies for our seasonal rainfall. It was on my mind, I guess. Thank you, Iain.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  2. neilmacdon avatar
    neilmacdon

    Queuing for water rather than in it. Clever twist on the prompt, Fatima

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Thank you, Neil.

      Like

      Reply
  3. rochellewisoff avatar
    rochellewisoff

    Dear Fatima,

    Very clever use of the prompt. Nothing makes me happier than a writer who avoids the obvious. Disturbing story well written.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Glad to bring you a little literary joy.

      Like

      Reply
  4. Mike avatar
    Mike

    I liked how you turned the prompt to talk about drought

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Thank you, Mike. We’re having a drought so it was on my mind to begin with.

      Like

      Reply
  5. Susan A Eames avatar
    Susan A Eames

    You had me on the edge of me seat, wondering and hoping for rain for them. Well done.

    Susan A Eames at
    Travel, Fiction and Photos

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Thank you, Susan.

      Like

      Reply
  6. theministryofshrawleywalks avatar
    theministryofshrawleywalks

    Brilliant, fresh water will indeed be the currency of the future

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Indeed it will. Thank you.

      Like

      Reply
  7. Tannille avatar
    Tannille

    Water is so precious in many parts of the world. Great take on the prompt.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Our currency is literally named after the Setswana word for rain, Pula. Thank you Tannille.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  8. plaridel avatar
    plaridel

    a dark scenario indeed. hopefully, time will not come when countries will wage war over potable water.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Perhaps not war, but it will be costly for ordinary people as government and capitalists lay claim to water sources.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  9. Dale avatar
    Dale

    Super well done, Fatima! I love when peeps go outside the box!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Thank you, Dale. We’re having a drought this side, so lack of rain had been on my mind.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  10. Nobbinmaug avatar
    Nobbinmaug

    Yes, as a species our priorities are all wrong. Gold is a metal. Water is one of the most basic necessities of life. Yet, we hold gold precious and waste and pollute water. It’s amazing in a world that’s roughly 75% water there’s not always enough to go around.

    Like

    Reply
  11. draliman avatar
    draliman

    We get so much rain it’s easy to forget the lengths people in some parts of the world have to go to to get water. Nice one!

    Like

    Reply
  12. Laurie Bell avatar
    Laurie Bell

    I sure hope the rains come home soon too

    Like

    Reply
  13. patriciaruthsusan avatar
    patriciaruthsusan

    A good story, Fatima. Well done. Here in Pune, India we had a more than generous monsoon this year and then some. Flooding caused some deaths as it washed homes away. I just think the rains have stopped and we get more. —- Suzanne

    Like

    Reply

Leave a reply to draliman Cancel reply