“Why should we dance to Rob’s tune mama? ”
“Look around you child. Do you see food? Rob brings us food. Protects us from those sharks outside. In turn he wants us to dance , the way he taught us, whenever he commands. We need to be grateful for this life.”
“Mama, I heard that we are meant to live free…”
“What does live ‘free’ mean child? Do you know? I for one sure don’t”
Rob gives a signal and Tilikum slides into the tank with the grace of a ballerina. Rob throws a dead fish and Tilikum swallows her meal gratefully.
—- end —
This week’s story is inspired by this photo and a news I heard on radio about Sea World ending it’s breeding program for killer whales:
http://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/seaworld-end-breeding-program-orca-whales-n540646
This exactly 100 word story was written for the 100 word photo challenge. More details about this challenge can be found at: https://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2016/03/16/18-march-2016/
PHOTO PROMPT – © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields.
Click on the Froggy below for other amazing takes on the same prompt by fellow “Friday Fictioneers.”
Roots & Water 
Nice twist.
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Thank you.
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Quite sad. They may be safe and fed but they’re still stuck in a little tank.
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They are blissfully ignorant of what their life should be. Thanks for reading.
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Those who’ve never experienced freedom don’t know the difference. After being hand-fed from birth, they often struggle with the challenges of becoming self sufficient. A good example is countries who’ve been freed from dictatorships to democracy.
An interesting, and thought provoking post.
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Thanks Russell. Sometimes people can’t imagine a different (free ) life and that’s very sad.
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Exactly what Russel said. I love it, great story.
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Thanks Gah!
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When put into the context of your inspiration, this is a beautiful but sad story. #FridayFictioneers
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Thank you Carol.
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a thought-provoking piece. i don’t know whether to be happy or feel sorry for them.
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Thank you. I feel sorry for those who know they are held captive yet can’t free themselves.
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Yet I would say “Free Willy”… there is something so sad of being bred in captivity… would you know what freedom is?
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I’m exploring what freedom means to me…true freedom (i think) is when we expect nothing from anyone and not be bound by other people’s expectations.
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Yes, a fine piece of writing, thought provoking.
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Thank you Mike.
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Do you know, I liked the story better without the explanation of what motivated it. It was more mysterious. more fantastical and more open ended that way. Wonder comes when we don’t know how the trick is done
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No, I did not know. Thanks for letting me know Neil 🙂
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Being bred in captivity is such a sad thing. Would you know what freedom is? Even if they don’t, I bet their instincts tell them something is not right. I always feel a sadness in their eyes when I see animals caged or put in tanks. Great take.
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Thanks Amy. With respect to animals…I too think that their instincts will tell them something but they may be confused not really understanding what freedom means.
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Dear Ansumani,
Thought provoking and well written. You stepped far afield from where many went with the prompt. Applause! Brava!
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you Rochelle! I’m happy to have impressed you this week 🙂
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Nice twist, and it was good to see a different take on the prompt.
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Thank you Sandra. I heard that there were a lot of drownings this week 🙂
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Interesting and thought provoking.
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Thank you Dawn.
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Sadly, animals bred in captivity and used to being fed could not survive in the wild. They usually live longer in captivity. It’s rough out there. There have been success stories, though. Good story, Ansumani. — Suzanne
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