Her little boy and her daughters did what chores they were able to do. The boy, the youngest, wasn’t scolded when he sometimes fell to playing. But this?
Flinging the stick, she stalked off to the barn.
“Ma, it was just pretendin’!”
He’d never known his father and older brother who used to do the heavy fieldwork, who’d left together, eyes bright with adventure, assuring her, ‘Back before harvest time’.
Pressing her forehead against the horse’s broad neck she confessed her worries.
She’d not allow another son to play at war.
She harnessed the horse and hitched the plow.
***
The Carrot Ranch May 2, 2019, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about sisu. It’s a Finnish concept of enduring strength, the ability to consistently overcome. Think long-term. Go where the prompt leads!
ShiftnShake 
I so admire strong women.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thinking you might be one.
Thanks for reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, I never think of myself as a strong woman.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Think again. I read Your story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a wonderful new word for me ‘sisu’. You hit it in one – it’s a trait of women in general I think 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
When I read Charli’s prompt I knew the character would be a woman even before I knew the story. Nowadays more than a stick needs to be flung. Too many video “games” that are “playing at” violence, desensitizing our young and keeping them from more wholesome pursuits.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Quite so! I recall years ago reading an interview with some senior army type person who noted the ease with which the young were entering the army and handling weapons, also their ability to hit targets with deadly accuracy was greatly improved due to gaming practise. Now we see the results outside of the armed forces on a regular basis. The world needs more of our feminine strength!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this take on the prompt, D. The term sisi doesn’t really speak to me, but perhaps you’ve inspired me to find something 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy to inspire. I have no doubt that you will come up with a fine flash.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This makes me think that an interesting book might be a collection of Civil War stories from the perspective of the boys too young to go.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Add it to the TBW pile. To be written. Someday. I
See ya then pen in hand.
LikeLike
Pingback: Sisu « Carrot Ranch Literary Community
So very true of so many, profound point well written!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is poignant and sad, Miss D. Well done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Any war is and there’s all the other characters not just the adventurers.
LikeLike
I often wonder when we will be able to give up that very, very, very long term abortion called “War.” Countries have tried, but there is always some country doing something somewhere that kills millions for land, for lust, for religion, and a myriad of causes forcing friends and neighbors to fight for their own existence.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Most people don’t have the sisu to not war.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Let’s stop them all from going. We need women to lead the revolution.
LikeLiked by 1 person