The Aristocrat sat at the massive desk, in the power wing of a historic building ,overlooking the watery square, pen poised over the Immigration directive. His infertility had ensured dedication to his people.
He eyed the picture and yellowing letter. He had sown his seeds in African soil in his youth. Could she be his? Blue blood in a black body? Should he find her?
He watched a refugee boat being denied landing. Thanks to his signature the borders were safe. His pride swelled , recalling his ancestor’s perilous, successful voyage to conquer the world.
Hours later, his only descendant drowned in the swell of the Mediterranean sea.
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The above 100 word story is written in response to the 100 word photo challenge posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Field each week. PHOTO PROMPT – © Dee Lovering
Click on the ‘blue frog’ below to read other amazing takes, that fellow Friday Fictioneers have, on the same photo prompt.
Serves him right, although he’ll probably never know, so I suppose it’s just unfair on the daughter to say that. I like the line “blue blood in a black body”. Just a suggestion, but I wonder if the arisocrat could have a name to make him feel more like a character rather than a commentary?
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I was thinking about naming his Christopher….but that was too obvious. I have trouble naming characters in short stories such as this. Maybe a name like ‘Henry II’ would have worked to show the aristocratic lineage…Thanks for the suggestion.
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In Europe, Henry II would mean a (particular) King which might be a little strong for what you were intending. I was thinking more like Count something or Baron something – a title to show his lineage.
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Good suggestion. I’ll remember that next time. Thanks!
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How sad!
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Nicely done. Life: so easily made, so easily taken…
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Thanks Lorna.
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Hiding behind the power of the pen it’s easy to ignore the fact that immigrants are persons. Don’t even get me started on sowing seeds without taking responsibility for them.
Tracey
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That’s true and most importantly they don’t realize all are one race: human. I have read of news stories where a ‘white’ couple gave birth to a “black” baby and then with DNA testing realize that they had an African ancestor several generations back.
P.S – I hope i used the politically correct expressions here 🙂
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Too close to reality. Clever ending with much impact.
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Yes, it’s a sad reality. Thanks Patrick!
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Little did he realise he’d be effectively signing his own descendant’s death warrant. Consequences…
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From his vantage point it would be political suicide to admit that he had fathered a child from another race. It probably never occurred to him that his conquering ancestors were considered unwelcome immigrants too. A nicely written and well constructed piece.
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Thanks !
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he must have accepted her as his own and then she drowned. how sad could that be?
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At some time in the future he will accept the fact and search for her….it will be very sad.
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Nicely crafted story and sadly very close to real life.
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Thanks.
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A very effective story about a horrible person.
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Thanks.
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Wonder if he ever really understood. Intriguing story from first to last.
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He would never understand until his end is near and he starts searching for her.
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So sad that his prejudice and xenophobia caused his daughter’s death. Humans can be so clueless and petty. We are all the same–one human race!
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The prices we pay…. Great and heart wrenching story. Perhaps he never knew his loss.
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So sad.. How we cannot even understand the cruelties we cause. There are so many things that’s wrong in the world.
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What a powerful response to the news and this photo! I like the way you pulled it all together. The title is excellent!
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Thanks Dawn.
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We will never learn from the past mistakes that have been made. Your story sums that up very well. Alicia
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Thanks Alicia.
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You pulled this story together nicely. It’s rich with details and well executed. I like how swell has double meaning here. Such a sad end!
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Thanks Amy.
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You’ve fitted a lot into the story. He’s so full of self-congratulation, and yet he has so much he should be ashamed of. Well constructed.
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Thanks Margaret.
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Dear Ansumani,
There’s a lot of layering and story between the lines. I read it twice and glad I did. This makes me sad and angry at the same time. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle.
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Intriguing story on prejudice and race. Nice one.
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Thanks.
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