The young girl stared at the hung rows of clothes - reds and browns, stripes and plains - criss-crossing across windows above the lanes.
"How many lived here?" she asked.
"There used to be 720 in this road alone last year. Men, women, boys and even young girls like you."
"And now?"
He was silent for a long moment. When he spoke, her five year old ears could hear the barely concealed anger.
"None. As it is across this entire land. And all the other lands around."
The girl tried to hold his hand to console him but as always, her fingers just passed through his at the point of contact.
"Why? How?"
He shook his head.
"They said they were defending their God."
"They were defending you? From whom?"
"From others who were defending me."
The girl floated up until her face was at the same level as his head.
"There is nobody alive today because everyone killed each other defending you? I don't understand." she said, seeking clarification.
The all-seeing, all-knowing being did not turn to look at her. His face - or at least where she assumed his face would have been through the radiance - remained fixed upwards, watching the empty clothes in the sky that had once adorned all his children.
"Neither do I, little one. Neither do I."
Authors note:
This is my take on the Picture Prompt provided for Day 2 of the Write Tribe Festival of Words June 2018.
You can see entries by other bloggers for the prompts of Day 2 here.
My other entries for this festival are:
Have you tried Blue Tea? (Food)
In My Defense (Short Story)
10 people who failed in life... before becoming Legends (Inspirational)
Movies That Take Place Over 24 Hours (Fun Lists)
Sir, this was really heart wrenching but a brilliant piece. Loved the story.
ReplyDeleteThe silly God, one would think he knows better. Clearly not better than the ones doing all the defending for Him! Nice take on the prompt, Roshan!
ReplyDeleteThis is probably what God feels about Syria or any other immigrant population. I leave this page with a heavy heart
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely heartbreaking. True too, of course. God must really be puzzled with the things that are happening around us. Fabulous take Roshan, as always.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure that if there's a God, he'd be thinking along these lines for sure. Very evocative piece.
ReplyDeleteYou have connected the prompt with the topic of immediate relevance! Loved reading it.
ReplyDeleteInteresting take on the prompt. But I believe we all have a choice
ReplyDeleteYou have portrayed the sad reality so well. Really, God must be at a loss for words at the way his creations are killing each other. A fab take on the prompt, Roshan!
ReplyDelete"I taught them about love but they learnt to hate each other in my name" :( :(
ReplyDeleteSo beautifully penned Doc. Loved the story. Sad reality staring us in the face everyday, everywhere. Wonder how God truly feels about the world nowadays.
ReplyDeleteLoved the story. Sad. So relevant and befitting for these times.
ReplyDeleteLovely post. I'm sure if there is God, he must feel exactly how you have described it here.
ReplyDelete