
Held in Reserve
She looked not at her husband but at the snow dusted ground, thick and soft with decades of needles, nudged a pinecone with the toe of her worn boot.
“No, we’ll think of something, but not this.”
He again looked up at the great towering pine; so many board feet held in reserve, board feet that the mill had offered good money for, money they sorely needed if the children were to have any Christmas.
“New toys grow old quickly.”
“Children grow quickly too, they need Christmas memories,” he countered.
“Yes, which is why we mustn’t cut this tree.”

The photo comes from the Saddle Up Saloon, where Kid and Pal offer a picture prompt every fifth Monday. Out of Carrot Ranch habit this response is 99 words. Using the word “reserve”, it is also six sentences, no more no less, because further prompting comes from Denise, the indefatigable hostess of Six Sentence Stories. You are encouraged to take part in both prompts and if you haven’t been by the Saddle Up Saloon, you are missing something. You don’t need to reserve a spot at the bar but can reserve a place on the stage. Did you know that you could be a featured writer reading on the Saloon stage from the Author’s Chair? Contact me! I’ll set you up.
Agreed. Trees outlast children. Plant one with them, instead.
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Yes. I think she is thinking too that this would be a mourn-able loss for the children, not a good memory at all. Trees are renewable resources but some are irreplaceable.
(hmm. Lots of -ables here.)
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Exactly. (K)
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Beautiful, D. And look at you – 3 in 1, done and done 🙂
Love the sentiment expressed. Discipline and thoughtful consideration rarely leaves a person without alternatives. I’ve a feeling those children have some pretty good Christmas memories already.
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Two prompts, one invite. The Author’s Chair is where an audio as well as text of your writing is shared and then you answer questions and comments regarding the piece in the comments section of the post.
Glad you liked this flash. She’s a great tree, that one.
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Good point: “New toys grow old quickly”
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Actually good toys last forever and are fun for kids of all ages. Legoes come to mind. A yo-yo. A loyal teddy bear. Picasso tiles.
But yeah, save the tree.
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Damn!*
*yep, a compliment**
** I gots to write me one of these. Simple, engaging and as much emotion to identify with as the Reader might desire.
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Tellin’ ya, a word count restraint is the trick. Try 99 words my friend.
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An eternal question for a parent, neatly posed in this cleverly constructed piece.
Nice one, D.
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Thank you.
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Beautifully done
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Thanks.
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Make Christmas memories with the kids from small, affordable things you do with them, leave the tree right where it is. Excellent story.
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Thank you. Yes, I’m certain Christmas will be fine, and all will be grateful to have the tree continue.
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Save the tree, every time! Good Six, D. 🌲
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Thanks.
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The last few words came as quite a relief! The tree will remain for the children and the children’s children too.
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Beautiful story. Loved it.
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Thank you.
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Welcome, D.
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They need a Christmas goat, fully decorated, so they can all dance around the tree!
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Hmmm. Mash two Carrot Ranch prompts… make it a poem and you can rope in a third CR prompt; do it in six stanzas…
These prompts are still open- go for it.
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I wonder if Dad realises that the tree is also a toy for the children?
A timeless conflict for parents who don’t have enough money, beautifully told.
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Thanks. Yeah, I imagine this tree is well known to them.
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They need drawing paper and a story about the value of trees.
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