It’s time for another installment of Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. This week’s photo is courtesy of Roger Cohen.
Your participation is always welcome. Why not give it a go? Please visit Rochelle for instructions. Click here for more stories from the Fictioneers.
My story is 101 words, and is Mainstream Fiction.
Copyright-Roger Cohen
One for Practice
The first time I heard its sound, the funky rhythms led me up the subway steps to the sight of a tattered man strumming with abandon to a spellbound audience.
Samson nodded when I left baked goods beside his tip box. One day, I knelt before my girl, his tender serenade giving me courage.
I asked him later, “Why not in a grand music hall?”
“Once was,” and he smiled.
The next day, I walked up the steps to silence. A man approached me, placing the instrument in my hands. “He wanted you to have this. He’s ready to play again.”
Awww a sweet story.
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Thanks, Becca! I appreciate it.
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Lovely uplifting story – I loved the ‘tattered man strumming with abandon’ 🙂
In the first line I think it should be ‘led’ not ‘lead’ though (delete this bit if you amend or disagree!)
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Thanks, E. Funny I read lead as “led.” A little trick of the eye. Thanks for telling me. I changed it. You can always tell me stuff like that if you catch it. I don’t mind one bit. Thanks. – Amy
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Joyful and fits with the main image of your website too – I love symmetry like that 🙂
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Thanks, Linda. I hadn’t considered the symmetry. Sometimes you get lucky I guess. 🙂
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It’s always nice when it happens too 🙂
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this was beautiful..very good
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Thank you.
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Enchanting story – I like the ‘tattered man strumming with abandon line’, too. 🙂
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Thanks so much, Joanna.
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That was really nice, a ‘feel-good’ ending if ever I read one. Nicely done.
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Thanks, Sandra. I hope it made you feel good. 🙂 Not everything has to be bleak, right?
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That’s a great story. Nice ending 🙂
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Thanks, David.
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nicely done
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Thanks!
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He should play again really…we all need a second chance!
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Right, Charles. I’m glad you think so. Thanks for reading.
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Very sweet. I like this a lot.
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Thanks, Rochelle.
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Ahhhh … the power of a kind word. I must say, the ending surprised me – which is good.
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Thanks, Frank. Thanks for reading!
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Awww… This is soothingly good. Thanks Amy
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Oh, Boomie, you’re so kind. I love your comment. Thanks, Boomie!
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Lovely, Amy.
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Thank you, Cathy. I appreciate it.
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Wonderful, Amy!
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Great story. Reminds me a tad of that movie the Soloist
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Oh, yeah. Thanks, H.L. I never saw that movie but thought of that when I wrote this. I know this story has been done, but here it is again I guess. I heard it was a good movie. Another one I need to see.
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Good for both of them and for the narrator’s fiance, too. 🙂
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Thank you, Janet. Yes, she did say “yes.” I wanted that to be in there….word limit and all. I’m glad you picked up on that.
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Very sweet. So much in so few words! Great little story.
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Lovely ending. It’s all about the music in their soul. I wonder what she will do now that she has the magic in her hands. Hmm.
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Thanks, Debra. I think he will just put it in his living room and stare at it from time to time. 🙂
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Why did I assume it was a she? Nowhere does it allude to either. Strange.
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That’s ok….probably because I’m a girl. I was trying to show that he proposed to her. I don’t know if that’s clear. I would have had included more on this but I would have went well over. Anyway, that wouldn’t have even necessarily meant that my character was male, either. I appreciate your comments. You never know how something will be interpreted.
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Love this! Very uplifting 🙂
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Thanks, Hayley!
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I breathed quite a sigh at the end of this story. It captivated me.
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Thank you so much. You’re so kind.
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Really nice one Amy. So much going on in so little words! You done good! 🙂
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Thanks, miss!
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Right before the end I was afraid that maybe the worst had happened… so discovering it was the best instead… well… it was even more inspiring! Beautifully done, B.F!
🙂
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Thanks, SIG. It’s nice to have a happy ending once in a while. You’re too kind. 🙂
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This is fantastic and tells so much in so few words! 😉
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Thank you, Dianne. I appreciate it.
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Very nice, Amy. I’m going to have to check this out — sounds like it sparks some creative-something.
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Thanks, Brigitte. You definitely should! It’s a great, supportive community with a lot of talented writers. Give it a whirl!
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Very creative premise, Amy. Street musicians are interesting subject matter. I’m wondering what he will play if he gave his instrument away. Or was he playing a guitar (strumming) and he plays a different instrument in the concert hall? Whatever, great story idea. Ron
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Thanks, Ron. My story worked quite literally with the prompt. There are two instruments, one for practice and one for show. I know my story is deep, huh? I was thinking by giving it to the character in the story he was letting go of his past and moving forward. This character allowed Samson to move forward. That was the thinking anyway. I could have talked more about the instrument itself in some way, but didn’t accomplish that.
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Yes! That’s what I like! Go, AMY! Thanks for this neat story!
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Thank you, sir! Thanks for reading.
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It sounds like he was looking for someone to acknowledge him! I like how the musician decided to give it a go again.
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Thanks. Yes, I think it’s just what he needed! Thanks for your comments.
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I read the last line three times and each time it gave me chills. A very sweet story.
Reminds me of a picture my friend posted the other day on facebook.
Tom
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Thank you so much, Tom. I’m honored you felt it worthy enough to read three times.
What was the picture, if you don’t mind me asking?
Amy
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Story goes great with the picture!
Can’t stop the music…
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Thanks, Guapo. You are the music man, so I hope not!
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The pebble, or musical note, that starts the landslide of change. This was really magical.
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Thanks, Bill. Yes, I think he just needed one more push. What a fine compliment. Thank you!
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your welcome — a finely crafted story is one of my favorite things
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Art! Your opening line just blew me away. Really. In a story about ‘music’ it was so wonderfully composed – a delight of sound and rhythm, truly.
There was so much going on in the story! That gave it great depth.
Unfortunately..or not, I read the end as a sad ending at first, as a sort of euphanism – so I got two stories for the price of one on second reading!
Now, let’s cut to the main comment, the grit – I have never identified, related with any character ever like I did with your musician playing in the subway.
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You are too kind! Thank you so much. You’re very encouraging. The ending is I guess both sad and happy. Sad for our narrator who won’t hear his music everyday, but happy for the musician who found inspiration again and a reason to play. Wow, on your last comment. Yeah, do you relate personally to this character? I’m touched!
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I can’t help thinking I would add “s” to serenade.
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Well now, it would be if it were used as a verb…here it is a singular piece of music (as a noun)…he is proposing to her. Did you get that one? I’m not sure if that is clear. And, he’s playing a serenade to her. That was my intention anyway. I know about serenades from all my years as a dancer.
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Woops! Didn’t mean to hit a raw nerve there! I did get that one, yes! Was just a thought. I am sure you know about serenades…please do delete my comment. Could not be a verb in that context of course, but it interested me how the ‘s’ added another tone or dimension. Anyway, do delete,was really just a friendly thought!
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Oh, no worries. There’s no raw nerve here. I actually read it again because I forgot what I wrote. No, whew, I think it’s okay. I was just explaining and I don’t mind having it be part of the conversation. There’s no need to delete this. I gladly accept corrections, for future. I don’t mind one bit. It’s part of what writing is, yes?
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Oh good! But its not a correction, or even a suggestion, in any form – was just a reflection, on different tone, or styles…all the best!
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Really…I like all your comments. Don’t worry!! I’m laughing about this.
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Doubly good!
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beautiful and heartwarming… 🙂
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Thanks, kz!
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A lovely story. Reminds me to always say a good word to good street musicians.
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Thanks, Bjorn. I’m glad this you made you think of that!
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I liked your story. Took me back to the platforms in Chicago.
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Thank you, Ted! I hope I took you back to a good place.
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Yes, you did.
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Lovely story, Amy, and I could see it as an episode of some kind of TV anthology series such as they used to have years ago. Good thing she said “yes” though!
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Thanks, Perry. She did say “yes.”
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Dear Amy,
You struck writer’s gold with your pen this week. I am still sitting on a bench near the subway entrance and watching the story unfold over and over again in a happy refrain. Can’t say it any better. well done.
Aloha,
Doug
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Oh, Doug. You’re so nice. Thank you.
Aloha,
Amy
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yes, lovely. I am wanting to maked baked goods for my favorite street musician now. great job with this.
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Thanks for your nice comments!
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That was so sweet! And reminded me of the commuter days back in NYC. Kindness, acceptance, hope — well played!
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Thanks, Kathy. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
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a good rare experience 🙂
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even a writing is an experience, you yourself have felt the chill isn’t it!
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I appreciate that. Thanks!
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Thank you very much.
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I almost missed the proposal, which of course made it all the more satisfied when I realized that’s what you meant. Great story with a lot of feeling
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Thanks, Brian. That’s nice of you to say! I kind of squeezed that in and it was probably pretty to easy to miss. I’m glad you caught it.
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when i saw the “silence,” i assumed the guy had died. or maybe he returned to the concert hall. but if it returned, wouldn’t he have brought the instrument with him? so i’m not sure if he died or not. regardless, it was great the the guy chose to propose there instead. well done.
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Thanks, Rich. I know you could interpret this many ways…my thought was that he gave him the old instrument, the practice instrument, and that he was going back to the concert hall with his “show” instrument. I was working off the prompt with two instruments. I don’t know if musicians really do this or not, but I thought they may have more than one instrument if they’re really good, professionals and all. Thanks for reading, sir, and your nice comments.
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that makes more sense than what i thought. thanks for straightening me out.
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Oh, good. I’m glad I could make more sense for once, Rich.
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once? silly girl.
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I just do my best….
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