Once again, here’s the August 8, 2019, Carrot Ranch prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about a poisoned apple. Let’s explore dark myth. Deconstruct the original or invent something new. Negotiate the shadows, shed light, but go where the prompt leads you!
I already got a double from Marge & Ernest, but now Marlie wants to play. You may remember this girl from previous prompts. The 99 word version is at Carrot Ranch. This version is 147 words. Go to the Ranch to see more responses to this juicy prompt. Go to the Ranch Yarn page to see how Kid and Pal responded.
************************************************************************************
Telling
“Oh, here you are after all.”
“Ever after.”
Marlie’s mom stood on the ladder to the tree fort. “I didn’t see you up here. Why are you lying like that?”
“I’m Snow White. I’m dead.”
“Oh dear.”
“Don’t worry. It’s only for a while.”
“Until a prince happens along?”
“That’s how Tommy’s mom tells it.”
“Hmm. Didn’t know she knew much about princes. Is there another way to tell it?”
Marlie unclasped her hands and sat up. “Well, Sofie’s mom says the apple was yellow, not red. And it wasn’t poison, it was the apple of wisdom that the mother shared with her daughters.”
“What else? Was there a prince?”
“No princes, just farmers and craftsmen. They have to be useful and polite. Oh, and Snow White is really called Eartha Brown.”
“Marlie, now that you’ve come back to life do you want to have Sofie over?”
I like Sophie’s mom. She knows how to spin it, or so it would seem.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Seams like it could be told differently. Sofie’s mom might not be the fairest of them all, but her telling might be more fair.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Useful and polite. We could use more of those. (K)
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a good fairy tale.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice! The characters interacted so organically!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. It’s a good family. They’ve graced my pages before. I actually linked my Marlie flashes together and got them published in the Santa Barbara Literary Journal under the title “In Hand”. I like that kid. Just met Sofie and her mom through this flash. Hmm.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Keep exploring, then! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha. Love it
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is not a Disney family, nor are they Grimm.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Right in between 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do like Sophie’s mother’s story better. (And Marlie’s mother’s response.) 🙂 Good stuff. *hands you a yellow wisdom-filled apple*
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks you for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Marlie’s mom knows a good influence!
LikeLiked by 1 person
And yet she respects the friendship between Marlie and Tommy. Sort of. But yes, I am glad this new friend showed up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s good when Mom respects the friendship. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: #SixSentenceStory Cracking the Code | ShiftnShake
Pingback: Poisoned Apples « Carrot Ranch Literary Community
I like this version and the new tale of Snow White and the handy craftsmen and smart women.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too. My characters are pretty smart.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent rewriting of the passive-female narrative. And a lovely way of challenging a child’s restricted PoV.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks.
This girl Marlie is a lot of fun to write.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Alpha #sixsentencestories | ShiftnShake