Goodness! Wednesday/Friday has rolled around again. Thanks to Dee, we have snow in July. My 101 word story was inspired by an article on NPR – so, thanks to them, too.
Billy slipped into his shoes, holes and all, and stepped outside. Ice crystals tickled his skin. Snow. Tightening his shabby coat across his ten-year-old chest, he shuffled to the train station. The soles of his feet registered the number of travelers scurrying across the wooden platform – more than usual. Perhaps this would be the day he could buy carrots and potatoes for his mother. Quickly retrieving five leather balls from his pocket, he began juggling – sensing the balls by the change in the air.
Billy heard a coin drop.
“Come away, Stephanie,” a woman said.
“But, Mamma, Blind Billy is back!”
Up From the Ashes 
Not sure what the radio story was about, but your story is very poignant. Nicely done.
LikeLike
Thanks, Caerlynn, it took some bits of time to get this down to 101 (cheater-me) words.
LikeLike
Such a sad tale….you pulled all my heart strings. Good description and slipping “blind billy” in the end was a good touch.
LikeLike
Good. I was hoping using all the senses without saying he was blind would make the last sentence work.
LikeLiked by 2 people
And work it did.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful. I think with all the other senses being heightened during the narration, I could come to know that, but the ending would’ve been bit unsure had you not slipped the word in. 🙂 Very emotional story. Enjoyed reading it.
Leo @ I Rhyme Without Reason
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! I’m glad it worked.
LikeLike
What a touching story. This really touched my heart. Excellent.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was hard to chop this story down from 112 words to 101. I’m glad you liked the result.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I did like the result.
LikeLike
100 or so words I always say. I like your story. The brevity works well and the story is complete. Do Not count my words … ever. ha ha
Tracey
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Tracey, WordPress is awfully good at counting them for me. Alicia
LikeLike
Very touching. Nicely done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Sandra
LikeLike
Dear Alicia,
You always bring something unique. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Rochelle, I try.
LikeLike
So touching. Simply beautiful.
Rosey Pinkerton’s blog
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you stopped by to read and reply, Cheers! Alicia
LikeLike
Poor lad, it sounds like he and his family have a hard life. I hope there will be many more coins dropping.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, me, too. Billy is a tough boy – happy, too, I think.
LikeLike
Beautifully written, this is such a sad, sad story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Actually, I think Billy is a rather hopeful little guy. Thanks for reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m hoping he draws a big crowd and collects a hat full of coins. Maybe today is the day. Good luck, Billy.
LikeLike
I think today is the day for Billy. (Secret: Stephanie is in love with him.)
LikeLike
Very well described. I got that he was blind from your intricate details. Nice work! NPR has the greatest stories, don’t they? Imagine a blind juggler. I hope he has success.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Amy, the NPR article was about buskers somewhere in India? Iran? I can’t remember, I was half listening as I looked at Dee’s picture. My mind put a busker in the picture and away my fingers went. Glad you could tell Billy was blind from the details.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a way to make a living. Measure your country, not by what the high-flyers achieve, but how the lowest survive.
Good piece.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Mick, well said.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love surprise endings, Alicia. This story is one of the best. I always enjoy your work. I haven’t been around much in the FFs gang of late. I must remedy that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a delightful thing to say. Thanks, you made my day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good! 🙂
LikeLike
Love the tenderness of this. Wonderful.
LikeLike
Thanks, Patrick, Billy is a wonderful kid – I think.
LikeLike
Great piece, expertly crafted.
LikeLike
Thank you for stopping by to read and to comment. I appreciate it.
LikeLike
Very beautiful, both story and writing. I loved how you showed Billy’s world, how he compensates for his missing sense, in all the details. It made me wonder, while I read, could I do that? And he juggles… I knew he was blind by your description, but the Blind Billy line added an extra punch. He’s been there regularly. People know him. A sad think that no one helps him and his mum with more than a few coins.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for reading and leaving such a lengthy and thoughtful reply. Alicia
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry for the lengthy…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, no, don’t be sorry! I appreciate your taking the time ~ really.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tough little fellow, doing his part to help his mother. Since he is a known person, one would hope even more help would come their way…
LikeLiked by 1 person
That would be nice, but most people are just travelers going from here to there. Thanks for wishing Billy well. Alicia
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very clever.
Particularly These lines:
“The soles of his feet registered the number of travelers scurrying across the wooden platform – more than usual”
& “ensing the balls by the change in the air” – brilliant. Very subtle (in that I didnt get it first time), but very clever.
Cheers
KT
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! Thanks! I’m glad you liked my story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good story with great description, Alicia. Poor child. Too bad those conditions still exist for the poor in some places. Well written. 🙂 — Suzanne
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Suzanne. I don’t think we’ll ever master poverty. Alicia
LikeLike
Children are so much more accepting than adults. Good for Stephanie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They certainly can be. Thanks for reading The Busker.
LikeLike
Very nice setting up of Billy’s predicament, and his positive attitude. The clues to the reality of his blindness work very well, and the ending is just right. Sad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Margaret.
LikeLike