Story Prompt:  Your story must include the 5 words provided and be related to the photograph in some way. Keep your story to 500 Words.

And now for this week’s picture and 5 words:

• Electromagnetic
• Menopause
• Shopping
• Crummy
• Footing

Moongrape

A giant video-screen projects an overweight middle-aged woman wearing no make-up, while she pleads:
‘Why do I feel as if I’m losing my footing? My world is crumbling. I’m no longer attractive, my body is changing I’m moody and irritable. I feel different… I don’t recognize myself…’

The image on the screen flips to another, more attractive and younger-looking woman, who claims:

‘Believe me, the only way to heal the crummy way you feel during menopause is to go shopping. That’s the great thing about menopause, isn’t it? By now, most of us have enough money to go shopping, don’t we? So we can actually spend and feel powerful. We are losing our physical attraction, but we are gaining economic force and dynamism.’

A voice speaks through loudspeakers to thousands of women listening:

‘This is not the way. A woman’s life is precious, like the moon. Womanhood is like the lunar phase. The first quarter is a time of action, and the beginnings of womanhood. This gives way to a full moon, which is analogous to fertility and fullness of womanhood. The third quarter corresponds to the peri-menopausal years. Menopause is defined as the time when our moon cycles end. This period should be embraced and not dreaded. Listen to internationally acclaimed physicist Dr. Emory Gant.’

His calm, earnest face appears as he advises, ‘Menopausal women are no longer affected by the moon’s electromagnetic force and therefore are wiser and calmer. They are no longer part of the changeable explosive force of nature, but gather strength from the darkness and introspection of the new moon. The moon has the answer.’

The voice on off speaks once more:

‘Menopause is a time of wisdom and inner healing. Instead of looking after others, women are able to look after themselves. It is a new beginning. A time to think of ourselves. But we can’t do this on our own. Listen to Professor Crook at Ester Lindon Laboratories.’

Another grave-looking man appears on the screen:

‘Women no longer need to suffer in silence, and watch their bodies age. The moon has brought us the cure. This latest moon mission was able to bring back small amounts of a new rejuvenating product made from Moondust and ecologically grown grapes, which we are selling exclusively to you, today.’

The first woman on the screen appears again. She has lost weight, and is wearing make up and smiling:

‘I discovered moongrape last month, and in 30 days, my life has changed. Yours can change, too. You’ll never look back. A glass of moongrape a day will make you a new, stronger, more attractive woman.’

The audience clap loudly. The women are smiling as they queue to buy the product.

Have a look at some of the other entries.