PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson
Can you write a story in 100 words, inspired by this vibrant image ? That’s Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers challenge for this week. Here’s my story.
COURAGE
” Hi, Li-Juan here, I’m at the meeting place. Where are you Ming ?”
“Just a street away. Think I’m being followed.”
” Go carefully Ming. Beijing agents are very efficient.”
“OK guys – glad you made it undetected. Who chose this place – Zhang ? It’s crazy, bright lights, CCTV, tourists – ultra visible.”
“Li-Juan, it’s Paris, they understand protests here, and open elections”.
“We need to re-group, get our tiger courage back. Show me your umbrellas guys, remind ourselves of what we all did in Hong Kong. Our Umbrella Movement.”
“Let’s check out those students in that corner café……”
Footnote : this is an imagined encounter, though based on a real event in Hong Kong. From 26th September to 15th December 2014, young people protested against the Beijing government reneging on an agreement to grant them open elections. Protesters carried yellow umbrellas – known as the ‘Umbrella Revolution’.
September 22, 2018 at 7:30 pm
The footnote helped with understanding the story. Thank you.
September 22, 2018 at 5:27 pm
Ah, a bit of history unbeknownst to me. I loved the line, Show me your umbrella.”
September 22, 2018 at 11:35 am
A great reminder of how the simplest of symbols can unite a movement.
September 22, 2018 at 1:10 pm
Thank you James – appreciate your feedback.
September 22, 2018 at 7:10 am
Interesting stuff, I’ve learnt so much reading these micro blogs over the few months I’ve been doing it, keep em coming
September 22, 2018 at 1:14 pm
Thank you – glad you’re enjoying the micro blogs. I agree, you learn all sorts of interesting things from reading them.
September 22, 2018 at 2:27 am
How interesting and sad about their need to protest, and chilling that there might be agents following them as far afield as Paris. Good portrayal of bravery and danger.
September 22, 2018 at 1:20 pm
Thanks for you feedback, glad you liked the story.
September 21, 2018 at 8:04 pm
Thanks for the footnote–made the story more understandable. Tiger courage. Yes, I like that.
September 22, 2018 at 1:24 pm
Appreciate you feedback Granonine, thank you.
September 21, 2018 at 7:58 am
I have learned something here today. Thank you. And I love the phrase “tiger courage”.
September 21, 2018 at 2:05 pm
Thanks so much for your feedback Jilly. Pleased you like ‘tiger courage’. I was thinking about Tiger Mothers…
September 20, 2018 at 10:30 am
I’m guessing they’re in Paris to raise awareness. I hope the Beijing agents don’t get to them first (or at all)!
September 20, 2018 at 11:44 am
Thanks for your comment Ali. Guess I wanted their situation to be left to you to decide.
September 20, 2018 at 10:23 am
A great take on the prompt.I could almost hear them talking!
Click to read my FriFic tale!
September 20, 2018 at 11:51 am
Appreciate your feedback Keith, so glad you liked the story.
September 20, 2018 at 6:16 am
Umbrella protest in Paris!
September 20, 2018 at 11:57 am
Yes, Abhijit – maybe a spin-off protest in Paris ….
September 20, 2018 at 4:22 am
What a wonderful take on the prompt, Francine. I admit I did not remember this and am now reading up on it. The wonderful world of Friday Fictioneers so widens our horizons!
September 20, 2018 at 11:59 am
Appreciate your feedback Dale – thanks. I so agree with you about expanding our horizons with Friday Fictioneers – very special.
September 20, 2018 at 3:23 pm
It’s great. I do love it and feel my writing has improved over the years!
September 20, 2018 at 3:31 am
They were very brave to do that.
September 20, 2018 at 12:01 pm
Thanks Alice- I agree. The Hong Kong protesters were/are brave, knowing what they may encounter with the Beijing government.
September 20, 2018 at 9:17 pm
I visited China, including Beijing, in the late 80’s right before the student protests in Tiananmen Square. It was a tense atmosphere.
September 20, 2018 at 3:10 am
Thanks Patience. Thank you for reminding others of this now largely forgotten momentous point in HK’s history. M & L
September 20, 2018 at 4:30 pm
I’m glad to have the opportunity with the Friday Fictioneers challenge. Important to remember those events.
September 19, 2018 at 10:20 pm
Excellent dialogue.
September 20, 2018 at 4:32 pm
Thank you Lisa – so pleased you liked the dialogue. I’m really interested to explore what one can do with dialogues.
September 19, 2018 at 8:47 pm
Dear Francine,
I, too, remember the umbrella revolution. Nicely set up story through dialogue.
Shalom,
Rochelle
September 20, 2018 at 4:41 pm
I appreciate your feedback Rochelle – pleased you liked the dialogue. I like the challenge of how to shape the dialogue.
September 19, 2018 at 8:05 pm
I think this is not too far-fetched…. it seems like anything can happen these days, when even Winnie the Pooh has been banned.
September 20, 2018 at 4:44 pm
Thanks for your feedback Bjorn. Agree with you about banning books – no limit to what extreme leaders perceive as ‘de-stabilising’ to their state
September 19, 2018 at 6:18 pm
You highlight the paranoia of trying to protest against a repressive government, when anybody may be an agent of the state. Your last line makes it sound as though Chinese agents are active in Paris.
September 20, 2018 at 4:45 pm
Thanks so much for your feedback Penny. Guess I intended to keep the ending deliberately ambiguous.
September 19, 2018 at 4:44 pm
Such a good way to protest, although in the end did it stop the Chinese government? Good bit of writing.
September 20, 2018 at 4:47 pm
Thanks for your comment Iain – no, I don’t think the protest stopped the Chinese government. I admire the way the protesters stood up for the principle. Glad you liked the story.
September 19, 2018 at 4:42 pm
Yes, I remember the umbrella revolution
September 20, 2018 at 4:55 pm
Thanks Neil. The photo prompt reminded me of the Umbrella Revolution, and sparked the idea of this imaginary meeting in Paris.