Five Sentence Fiction is a weekly blog link-up based on a word prompt. The Challenge – write a complete story in five sentences. There is no word count limit, or any restriction on sentence length (proper grammar notwithstanding). This challenge is hosted weekly by Lillie McFerrin. The word of this week is Maps.
*****
There are miles where corn stalks stand as sentinels, flanking both sides of the state highway, broken only occasionally by a driveway to a farm-house. The corn fields are so close to the road it seems, at times, I could reach out the window and snag an ear for snacking. GPS doesn’t know these roads, but my father’s old Rand McNallys do. There are miles when the only other visible vehicles are the barges floating down the river, framed with the colors of the country–the green of the fields, the brown of the river, the blue of the sky. My father knew I’d be the only one to know the value of inheriting those “scraps of paper”, and that the value wasn’t in the maps at all.
*****
Five sentences – can you do it? Why not try! When you’re finished, add your story to the Linky link, and read and enjoy other’s five sentence stories.
P.S. I just adore The Bitter Southerner. Every Tuesday is Bitter Tuesday, and a new story is published about life and living in the South showcasing a Southern artist–writer, photographer, videographer. And they’re establishing a proper business, asking folks from all over to #yallcome, give, and join them in their new venture–public radio style (or television, public TV too). Last day is August 17.
*****
*Featured Image – Copyright Melanie (WritingInBoots)
**The ads (which may appear) below are not mine, but they keep this free for me. Do with them as you choose.
This Is My Corn 
Well done!
LikeLike
Why thank you!
LikeLike
Why you’re welcome 😉
LikeLike
Cool. As an old truck driver I can certainly appreciate the old paper maps. I used to have a briefcase full – the big atlas, of course, and then greater detailed maps of areas where I delivered. I also used map books of any major cities. I was a bit if a map collector. 😀
LikeLike
I’ve always wanted to try truck driving. When I was a kid, my parents planned our summer road trip vacations on the dining room table on a big map of the US. I’m still a fan of maps. I think they’re cool. I have a couple of old maps hanging on a wall.
LikeLike
I love maps. I think it’s the God’s eye view. As a child, when we were travelling, I could amuse myself for hours with a map of the area where we were. iI was like magic, I could tell my Dad (who was driving) exactly what the next exit was and where it went – and I’d never been there! That is poweful for a kid – as an only child, I socialized as much with adults as i did with children and, of course, they always knew more than i did. Not so when I had the map – I was the King. Ha!
LikeLike
I used to love to follow the map as we drove down the highways. I got such pleasure from knowing what was coming next. It kept the anticipation of the trip high – just looking to see if I was keeping the right track of where we were along the map.
LikeLike
Great post! I have 2 maps hanging in my work area at home – U.S. & World Map. I love learning where countries or cities are located – you can know them by name, but never know the exact location. That’s what maps are for! I wouldn’t take a road trip without my atlas (like some people) 🙂 Also, thanks for the tip on The Bitter Southerner.
LikeLike
I hope you’ve had a chance to read some of the stories on The Bitter Southerner. There are so many great ones, from the famous Clermont Longue to photo essays of the country between cities.
I’ve always found maps to be fascinating. There’s always something new to find.
LikeLike
Simply lovely – you painted wonderful images with your words
LikeLike
Thank you so much. What a wonderful compliment.
LikeLike
This is really an inspiring and wonderful post to the prompt. it speaks of a beauty and truth inherent in observing, of being allowed to wander, without technology, and if necessary, using maps, which are works of art in and of themselves, especially after so much wear and tear.
Wonderful piece 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you Pat.
There is so much to see when you get off the interstates and go back into the world. Those are the fun places, where cell signals don’t reach, but sun rays do.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Melanie,
I love the idea behind the ‘five sentence fiction’ and I so love this; ‘…the value wasn’t in the maps at all.’ I feel that to be true in so many ways!
LikeLike
Thank you for reading Daniela!
The maps are necessary, but the memories make them invaluable.
LikeLike
truly touching emotions,well done
Maps To Peace
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLike
I”m from the midwest too and am no stranger to corn. Just thinking about it makes me want to start writing the post I have in mind… I am intriqued by the challenges you highlight and am enjoying your writing.
LikeLike
Thank you Shirley.
I’ve really enjoyed these challenges. Friday Fictioneers, especially, has a great community with it. I’m new to Five Sentence Fiction and still feeling my way around, but happy so far.
LikeLike
I like the concept of the five sentences, and I enjoy your writing style. Looking forward to more!
LikeLike
Thanks danno! It’s a lot of fun (and some frustration) to put a story together in five sentences (or 100 words, like in the other writing challenge I do).
LikeLike