By Prospero Dae
If you cross this stream your deepest desire will be fulfilled. That’s what the man said—swarthy, bewrinkled, chewing an improvident twig.
The boy glanced askance at the running water, standing arms akimbo.
He cleared his throat and addressed the stream: If you let me hop across, I’ll give you half of the gold pieces I get.
Okay, okay said the stream (after having eavesdropped on the conversation–as streams are wont to do).
What are you doing? asked the sexagenarian. That’s too much.
In a whisper: You said to cross the stream. Well, I’m double-crossing it, just to be sure.
“What a thrice-double ass was I,” said the stream.
Excellent writing, richly wrought, leaving the reader with permutations to ponder, as all good stories should.
Wonderful – great imagery, endeared the main character to me keeping me engaged the whole time.
Thank you Cynthia, I will use that line of dialog in the novella, as something of moment is bound to come out of this fragment. And I think talking streams are going to be big and that I’m really ahead of the curve on this one. Rumorous rivulets and loquacious lakes are next.
Mary, the film version will have you rooting for the protagonist till the last kernel of hot, aurulent popcorn reaches your gaping mouth, as the suspense will leave you wanting more.
This was wonderful mate, truly a fantastic example of why short fiction is so good
Fun! Thanks for this one.
Thanks Dave. I found your blog and am now following.
Glad you were entertained by a little wordplay, Tony.
Wonderful!!! a subtle and witty parable playing upon fairy tales and Greek mythology! i was trying to imagine the punch line at the end but couldn’t! 🙂
but i am wondering: is this also a hidden message that nowadays even streams and forests are corrupted by the financial greed of the Zeitgeist? 🙂
It’s more likely about the yellow brick road, fiat currency, that data stream of meaningless numerals, and the financial collapse which will precipitate a search for the gold and send wizards scrambling. Or, in the alternate, a simple play on words.
Naturally I am inclined to endorse your zeitgeist interpretation.
I like the slightly off-balance feel. I knew smething was coming (askance the tip.) but you caught me.