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101 Word Short Stories

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One Last Climb

April 25, 2021 5 Comments

By Rob McGurk

Yggdrasil. The world tree. That was what I called the old oak. I was a strange child. When I climbed, I was Ratatoskr, the messenger.

To get up I had to make a running jump, stepping on a round knobble of bark, then grabbing the first branch with both hands. I would clamber for a while, then rest, my back curving to match the shape of an ancient bough.

Sixty years have passed, and I’m home again. I no longer have to jump, which is some relief. I sit in my old spot and watch the clouds roll in. Ragnarok approaches.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. David Daniel says

    April 25, 2021 at 8:07 am

    Nice.

    Reply
  2. b. says

    April 25, 2021 at 10:53 am

    Great little tale Rob. I suggest a sip of Korangar to help keep the memories alive just a few moments longer…

    Reply
  3. Susmita Ramani says

    April 28, 2021 at 12:31 pm

    This is really beautiful.

    Reply
  4. Duane L Herrmann says

    April 28, 2021 at 12:55 pm

    I sit. I watch. I’m tired.

    Reply
  5. Thompson says

    April 28, 2021 at 9:01 pm

    An interesting piece. It brings one down memory lane.

    Reply

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