Earlier this week in my new segment, Genre Writing, I touched on two fundamental elements I use when writing a story. Today you get to read a short story based on these two elements. They are: Emotion, and Idea. Read the blog post to get the full explanation yeah? For those who have already, (or skipped reading it, it’s cool don’t worry) enjoy!
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Fundamentals: Idea – Image Prompt. Emotion – Sadness
Words: 385
None can fathom the depth of his sadness. Below the expanse of heaven, his people move about with self-righteous nonchalance. They harvest from fields with praise only to their hands and tools. They forget that the rain they depend on comes not from their efforts. The soil they churn has been there before them. The seeds they plant borne from the land they did not create. They craft their own god and call him science, technology, human advancement and other names. Had they forgotten him so quickly?
He descends from his throne to an unknown island where he dons the garb of a simple fisherman. Here his creations thrive. Two gargantuan trees, capped by thick foliage, lilt towards the dark waters like tired sentries. Their smaller brethren once sprouted across the land. Now bricked buildings stand in their way and a different breed thrives.
“Good evening sir.” A silhouette says. It’s attire is as dark as the sky. Crisp. Clean. Over the heart is a golden pin that reads Greg – Manager.
“Good evening to you.” He says to Greg the Manager.
“I didn’t know the fishermen were still working tonight.” Greg says. His eyes turn towards the waters where there are lights in the distance. No boats bob between.
“I was merely visiting.” He says. Greg smiles.
“No worries. Do you need a place to stay for the evening? We’re fully booked but I’m sure I can find a place for you just for the night.”
“I am a mere fisherman. I cannot afford this place.”
“Don’t worry about that sir. Also, I noticed there aren’t any boats left. How are you going to head home?”
The man turns towards the waters, then back at Greg.
“Are you sure?”
Greg turns to the water and sure enough a dinghy sits against the shore.
“What in heaven’s name…”
“Anyway Greg, thank you for your kindness this evening. You have given me some hope yet.”
“Hope for what?”
“Humanity.” Greg is still staring at the dinghy but when he turns to the man, he is no longer a fisherman. His robes glow gold and flow to the floor.
The man points to the sky. The clouds flare with light the colour of dusk, as flames of jagged lightning break across the sky. Then he is gone.
Hope you enjoyed this little tale. May you have a grand weekend ahead!
A-Scribe To Describe 
Ah, this was a lovely read! And it’s funny that you posted this because I just did this exercise the other night with my writing group. Our host showed us a picture and we each had to pick an emotion. Then we read them out loud and we had to guess the emotions chosen by everyone. It really zeros in on the setting.
Glad you enjoyed it Rache.
Yeah its quite a fun exercise to do, although the story sometimes tends to move its own way.
Would love to read what you came up with during your exercise.
Yeah, that’s true. I want to rewrite mine. I didn’t actually write a “story.” I rambled about what I saw in the picture. We were timed, so I panicked. Which is ironic because I chose to write about fear…