This post was written in response to Charli Mills at Carrot Ranch’s weekly #99 word Flash Fiction Challenge. This week’s prompt is to include ‘the charisma of cranes’ in the story. Check out other entries or take part yourself!
Miss Martinelli’s Present
‘We’ve come to see Miss Martinelli,’ said Sally.
‘I’m afraid, my daughter isn’t receiving visitors,’ Mrs Martinelli said, wiping her eyes.
Sally pointed to a group of children holding a chain made of coloured paper. ‘We’ve brought her a present.’
‘I don’t understand.’
‘Miss Martinelli is our art teacher. She taught us origami, so we’ve made a thousand paper cranes to decorate her room.’
‘How beautiful, but why?’
‘She told us about an ancient Japanese legend which says if you make a thousand paper cranes, the Gods will grant you a wish. We all wish her to come back.’
****
I’m afraid I know nothing about cranes, so I looked them up, and the ancient Japanese legend inspired this sentimental flash. I know there are great teachers out there and fabulous students too.
****
A summary of my conversation with my grandson who is very intrigued about these stories I have to write every Sunday!
‘So, granny, what’s our story about this week?’ My grandson asked me.
‘Cranes’ I replied and his face lit up.
‘Like the ones on my truck?’
He has various mechanical cranes, with and without trucks which he loves to play with.
‘No. A crane is also a type of bird.’
So I showed him some pictures on google images. We have lots of fun searching for information and pictures on google!
‘I know why he’s called a crane.’ Miguel nodded sagely.
“Really? Why?’ I asked him.
‘He stretches his neck, like a crane.’
I can’t fault his logic!
So here are two pictures I printed out for him to colour this week. The one below is his sister’s watercolour fish, painted a couple of weeks ago, but I love it.
Rereading Jane Eyre 
I LOVE your take Luccia!
And the children’s input is priceless!
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Thank you! It’s such fun chatting to my grandchildren❤. They’re so candid and curious😀
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Love kids!!
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Such a beautiful story. Let’s hope the cranes do their work.
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Love from teacher to child and back again. A beautiful picture well portrayed.
I too love talking with my grandson. It’s so easy to learn from his honesty.
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Thank you for visiting and commenting, Susan. I agree, it’s such a privilege to be a grandparent.
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Have always loved that idea of the origami cranes for good luck. Wonderfully evoked in your Flash!
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Thank you, Liz. I must admit I found out as a result of researching for this week’s Carrot Ranch challenge, but it is a lovely idea.
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Carrot Ranch had brought me to new research areas in search of a clear Flash, too!
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I adore your grandson, Lucy! How fun to involve him in a Sunday ritual of story writing. He’s smart — yes, the birds have long necks like the equipment! You flash reminds of how much a beloved teacher can mean to a group of children. A sweet story. And I enjoy the artwork!
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Thank you, Charlie! I’m enjoying your prompts too!
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A very interesting tale, Luccia. I did a similar thing for this prompt; I looked up the blue crane and found an interesting Xhosa tradition that I used as a base for the flash.
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Thank you. I think I read yours. I’ll check it out just in case I missed it.
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What a lovely story, Lucy, and I don’t think it’s sentimental at all. Love your grandson’s input too – and the sketches. All in all a fabulous post.
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Thank you, Anne! I retrieved your message from my spam folder. I often spend the weekend with my grandchildren when their parents are working(my son) or visiting (my daughter), so the only way to get something done is to make sure they’re busy and involved! They actually love sitting with me in the study drawing pictures and chatting, etc…
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