You wouldn’t know you’re in the middle of the city down here. It’s quiet, unless you throw pieces of bread into the canal. Then ducks and coots race each other for the prize. Fight each other for it. Maybe fighting is normal? But ducks and coots are two different species. People shouldn’t fight. They’re the same species, they should look out for each other.
Then why is everybody fighting? Kids at school. Passengers on the bus. Customers in shops. Footballers on the pitch. No escaping it.
Time to go home. Where Mum and Dad will be fighting. No escaping it.
***
I looked at PJ’s photo and it turned into Regent’s Canal for me – so that’s where I’m taking you for this week’s FFfAW story. You’ll find more stories here.
In other news: My story Umpteenth Service, which started life as Hitting ’em Hard for FFfAW, has won the April Paper Swans flash fiction competition. I’m delighted! You’ll also find the link to the story on this page, if you care.
Nice read. Interesting perspective.
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Thank you!
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How sad for the little kid. All he (she) knew was people fighting each other. Great story Sonya! Has a good moral to it.
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Thank you, PJ!
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Great story
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Thank you, Donna 🙂
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You just keep on sending out these great stories, don’t you!
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I just checked out “Umpteenth Time” and the judges comment. It’s a great story, and the positive feedback is well deserved. Congratulations Sonya. Your success has given my something to smile about at the end of a despondent day.
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Thank you, Jane! I’m glad it made you smile despite the day you were having – what more can a writer ask for? Hope things are improving for you.
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You generally manage to make me smile Sonya.
I finally have my own place to live again! As from Monday I cease sofa surfing. I’ll soon be feeling creative again.
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Good one
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Thank you 🙂
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Congratulations in your story 🙂 . Also, today’s story depicts the reality these days, fighting is now the norms I’m afraid.
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Yep, sad but true… Thank you, Ameena 🙂
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Sad, but there is too much truth in this post. We will always encounter this type of behavior and it seems to be getting worse.
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Congratulations for being the winner April Paper Swans flash fiction competition, Sonya! Your story, Umpteenth Service is great!
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Thank you for both comments and for reading the Paper Swans story 🙂
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Good story, very sad but very true too
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Yes, sad but true indeed… Thank you for reading 🙂
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Unfortunately, fighting does seem to be something we are unable to escape. Good story and congratulations on your win. 🙂
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Thank you and thank you 🙂
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It’s a sad fact of life that people – and animals – fight. I like the way this is seen through the child’s eyes, and the way he is saddened by it. Seeing the ducks and coots squabbling over bread brings it all to his mind. Congrats on your win, Sonya. 🙂
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Thank you, Millie! I think observations like this gain in impact if they’re made by a child…
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Definitely. 🙂
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It’s sad that there is so much fighting everywhere. I liked how you repeated – there’s no escaping it. Congrats on your flash fiction win too. Very exciting. Will head over and have a read now!
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Thank you, Rachel! Glad you enjoyed Umpteenth Service, too 🙂
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Enjoyed the Umpteenth Service. Great writing.
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