“Last time I seen Teadora she was collectin’ them river weeds she weaves in ta’ baskets.”
“Been weavin’ that same old basket over a year. Ain’t got no real shape. Looks more like a banana than a bowl. Big, too”
“She’s a crazy nigger. Not worth a hoot. Stupider than a stump.”
“And I paid 800 bucks for her.”
Behind the house, Teadora listens. Smiles. Loops the bag over her shoulder. Inside? All her belongings – one blouse and raggedy scarf.
By the light of a half-moon she strolls to the river bank, climbs in her tule reed boat and paddles away.
Oh.. I wonder who is stupid then.. good for the basket-weaving woman. love the lingo
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Thanks, Bjorn. I wondered if I’d dummied-down the dialogue too much. Like maybe the people should speak more eloquently if they could afford an eight-hundred dollar slave.
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Love the dialogue and go Teadora! I hope she makes it!
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Oh, I think she will. Thanks, Dale.
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I hope she has somewhere to escape to, as well as from.
Good piece.
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I was thinking an underground railroad scenario. But 100 words wouldn’t allow more than an initial escape.
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That’s the thing I’ve noticed about basket-weaving – rarely does the finished object end up symmetrical. But it never ends up as a boat/canoe. Great take on the prompt, thinking outside the box.
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Thanks, Sandra. I think the men were stupider than stumps if they didn’t recognize her basket was truly a boat.
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Love it, very clever. I hope she makes it.
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Thanks! Teodora is a smart little cookie. I think she’ll go far.
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Dear Alicia,
Theodora ain’t so stupid as all that is she? Perfect voice for a stellar piece. Brava!
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Why, thank you! Teodora is a clever one. And thanks for your early morning help.
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I think this was a piece of mighty fine writing, Alicia.
janet
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A mighty fine thanks for a delightful comment. Alicia
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Interesting dialect! Love Teadora’s boat. Great story!
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Thanks, Dreamer, Teadorea spent a lot of time creating a method of escape.
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I can see! :-
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Well, I would say she’s pretty smart for a stump! I hope she has a happy ending. I like the dialogue.
Lily
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Thanks so very much. She be very smart.
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I think you did well on the voice – wasn’t over done, but still displaying the speaker’s ignorance. I wouldnt worry about showing them as too dumb – if history shows us nothing else, its that stupid people can be rich too.
Cheers
KT
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Thanks for your insightful reply. Always enjoy hearing from you . Alicia
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Effective dialogue and an interesting escape. Nicely done.
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Thank you.
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A wonderful story, I enjoyed it so much!
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I’m glad. Thanks for reading.
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Good for her. She’s obviously worth much more than her slave price.
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Oh, yes, Teodora will go far – in many ways. Thanks.
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Ha, Teadora knew what she was doing even if they didn’t!
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She definitely pulled the wool over their eyes. Thanks.
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Great dialogue, cool story.
Well done, y’all.
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We ‘uns do our best. Thanks for reading about Teodora.
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Unique and fun take on the prompt.
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Thank you. Just trying to think outside the box. Alicia
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Great story. Love the take with basket weaving. I am happy for Teodora! 🙂
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Thanks, Deborah. Teodora deserves “the great escape.”
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Great story, which builds steadily and effectively. Go, Teadora!
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Thank you, Perry. Very kind words indeed.
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it just showed it she’d go very far. 🙂
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Indeed! And thanks.
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Hmmm . . . Connie’s been weaving a basket. Better lock up the paddles.
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I certainly would if she’s been working on it for over a year.
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Good one. Can’t help but hope she makes good.
DJ
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She will! Thanks, DJ
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Go Teadora, go!
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Thanks for cheering Teodora on.
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I love the dialogue, Alicia. “Stupider than a stump.” Who’s the stupid one now? Way to go, Teadora. She’s got a plan. The description of her boat at the end made me smile. Great name, too.
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Thank you so much, Amy. She be a smart cookie.
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I like the voices of the characters…even though Teodora does not “speak” her actions spoke effectively. Nice one.
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Thank you.
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I love the irony here. Who are the stupid ones? Great voices. Terrific story.
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Thank you, Margaret. What a lovely comment. Alicia
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Great dialogue, Alicia. It was greatly to her benefit that they thought she was stupid. They’ll find that out when it’s too late. Well done. 🙂 —- Suzanne
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Yes, Suzanne, sometimes playing dumb is the best way to go. Thanks.
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Good for Teadora. I bet her “smart master” will be weeks in figuring out how she got away.
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I hope so.
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Amazing how you can get this incredible story from that picture…I can imagine it perfectly with your words, but could never pull it out of the picture myself!
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Thanks, Rea Ann, for going back to reread this and making such a lovely comment.
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I just clicked on a title at the bottom of the recent story I read.
WOW … I almost missed this great piece of writing. Love the accents.
Teodora was stronger than they thought.
Isadora 😎
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