There was a spring in her gait, an elation that propelled her, an eagerness to fly, a yearning to have wings! She had been invited by the university to receive her gold medal. She was the topper of the year. She had waited for this day.
How could she forget this day? The day her bones felt lighter. The day she broke some!
Now what?
“Let’s cancel the program. Your foot needs attention.”
“I am good,” Laila hid her pain with a wide smile.
She ignored the swelling on her foot and got into the car. No broken bone could deter her determination to receive the honor in person.
Thirty years after the fall that had changed her gait, she says, “Sometimes the great bones of my life feel so heavy. Sometimes we take them for granted.”
“Do you regret your insouciance to injury?”
“Never.” Anything for dreams.
Louisa’s post inspired me to play with this prompt that I saw at Dare Boldly and followed the link: Prosery Prompt at D’Verse
The rules and prompt are:
“Write a story of 144 words or less (not including the title). The story must have a beginning and an end, and should not be poetry. Sounds easy enough right? Here’s the twist: You must use the poetry line I have given you within your story. You may alter the punctuation, but you must use the line in its entirety.”
Today, the chosen line is taken from Spring Azures from the book Wild Geese by Mary Oliver: “Sometimes the great bones of my life feel so heavy.”
Fantastic, Balroop! No burden is too heavy to bear if we can realize our dreams!
Well said Jan! Life would be meaningless without dreams.
We never know where life will take us, we can only strive for the best. Love this! ❤️
I agree with you Jacquie, when we have our eyes fixed on the best, we do get there. Thank you for sharing a lovely thought.
Well done, Balroop. I like the line, too. Bones do feel heavy—some days more than others. I like this little story and the girl’s determination. 🙂
Thank you Lisa. I could relate to heaviness of the bones. I am glad you too felt the same. 🙂
Wow, that’s a different type of fiction prompt. I love the addition of the required line of poetry.
Nicely done, Balroop!
Thank you Mae, the poetry part is symbolic but I couldn’t fit in the symbol. Writing a poem is easier for me. 🙂
A story of grit and courage to follow your dreams. Well done, Balroop!
Dreams make us what we are and we must accomplish them. Thank you for your kind words Mark.
So glad you came and played too Balroop — and the offering of your story is wonderful!
Such a beautiful way to frame the quote and the dream…
Thanks to you Louise, your posts are always inspiring in one way or the other and some of them really touch my heart. Keep it up, dear friend.
Great job, Balroop! I love your story.
Thank you Jill.
That was a complicated prompt, Balroop, and you pulled it off! Some choices do feel heavy as we carry them forward, and yet we don’t regret them. Some goals require sacrifice. Loved this.
I don’t know how this prompt took me far away into the realm of dreams but I felt nice despite the broken bones. Haha! Thank you for your encouraging words Diana.
I love people with that kind of grit–no whining, just doing. Lovely story.
Thank you Jacqui, perspectives change with age. 🙂
Your story is truly great. I do understand Leila and would do the same myself.
True grit or too stubborn. 😊.
Miriam
I am delighted to hear that Miriam. Love and hugs for that grit.
Hi, Balroop! The prompt was not an easy line to incorporate, but you managed to do a great job. Bravo! 😀 xo
Thank you Vashti.
Well done, Balroop! That was quite a challenge to tackle and use that sentence:) Great story.
I am glad you like it Denise. Thanks.
Wonderful job with this, Balroop!
Thank you Jessica.
This is very thought provoking, Balroop.
I am delighted to heart that Robbie. Thank you.
Good job Balroop. I loved the zest for life in the girl. I was her once – broken ankle traveling in Europe lol 🙂
That is the spirit! Love and hugs 😊
❤
Great story, Balroop, and I like the idea of including a poetry line. You mastered it! Her determination is admirable, and you’re right, anything for dreams and keeping them alive. 🥰
Thank you Lauren. Nothing should dampen the spirit of reaching out toward the finishing line. ❤️😊
Beautifully written, Balroop. No dream is too small or too hard to reach. If we are determined, we can overcome the challenges, enjoy the journey and enjoy the finish line too. Some decisions along the way may be hard but in the end they make us stronger and help us see the bigger picture 😊
I like it Mabel when we enjoy the journey and the finish line. When we look back, it seems like a fond memory even if we could have struggled with the journey. Thank you for coming in to share your insight.
Love the thought of looking back and seeing the journey as a time of learning and a great memory. Keep writing, Balroop 🙂
Balroop, I really enjoy when you venture into prose, the poet in you still visible and adding an extra depth to your work. A great story and yeah, Laila did right to follow her dream, to honour her accomplishment of all those years of study!
Thank you for such lovely words Annika, I am glad you stopped by to share them. Love and hugs.