It’s time for the Friday Fictioneers, hosted by our wonderful host, Queen Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. Thanks to Adam Ickes for the photo.
Please read other fine stories from the Fictioneers here.
Genre: General Fiction (100 words)
Copyright – Adam Ickes
To Shoe or Not to Shoe?
Animals don’t wear shoes, mom. Why do we?
We wear them to keep warm and to protect our feet.
Animals don’t need protection.
They have fur and pads.
Why don’t we have pads?
Where are your shoes?
Get your shoes on. You’re not ready to go out the door until your shoes are on your feet.
Whose shoes are these?
They’re just sitting here. Abandoned. Forgotten. Too snug?
Look for the child with no shoes and you’ll see my child. He will be running free on grass pillows, cushioning his feet, and laughing…laughing at the rest of us, wearing shoes.
AmyReeseWrites 
I can relate to that…I’m in my stocking feet right now! But I’m too averse to pain to wander around in my bare feet 🙂
Nice story about the freedom of childhood–something we all lose with age and worry.
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Lovely Amy, I know that child well.
I was reminded of the saying I grew up with ; I complained because I had no shoes until i met a man who had no feet.
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I was a barefoot kid myself! It’s probably better for your development actually. I only had one pair of shoes at any given time. I complained about that. Thanks!
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Hi Amy,
That child is a freethinker. Going naked from the ankle down feels good. Now if the world was just a kinder place in which to run around. Ron
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Naked from the ankle down…I like that Ron. Very good. It’s true. The world is not a safe place. I just envision lots of glass the little boy could step on.
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Ha — without shoes you are free… sometimes.
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I guess it’s all a matter of perspective. Some would say shoes provide opportunity.
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The shoeless kids don’t see to mind.
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Shoeless kids can be a little foolish, but they are usually smiling and happy. Thanks, Frank.
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Foolish, smiling, and happy are good adjectives that I had in mind …. although when I saw the pic, I was thinking murder by the dock.
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My first thought was missing boy from the museum…that could have been pretty good. Yours is a good one. Why don’t you write one, Frank?
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I have the creative writing skills of a toad.
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Not! No, no, Frank. I feel like you want to write one. If you do, well you should.
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Hey Amy!
Nicely done!
Regards
Jim
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Thanks, Jim!
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Some kids are just wild spirits at heart. I think I would like this kid. I really enjoyed this one.
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Kids have the right idea. I love their energy and fresh outlook on life. Thank you!
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I was that way when I was a kid, when I got home from school the first thing that came off were the shoes! I still hate shoes, but can’t go barefoot anymore. Great story Amy.
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My kids do the same thing, Jackie. They toss them off and then their socks and leave them wherever! They can’t wait to take them off! I’m sorry to hear you can’t go barefoot. I hope you can at least wear slippers. Thanks, Jackie.
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If only the whole world was a lawn, this world would be a gentler place. 🙂 I like this story. I think we were thinking along similar lines.
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If only. Maybe on one of the many worlds you create, huh? It can be all lawn, soft cushiony pillows. I think so…I enjoyed your story a lot. Yours is publication worthy!
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I love picture the little one running through the grass in bare feet giggling. Why is it we lose this ability to go barefoot with abandon?
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Thanks, Michelle. I don’t know why. Probably something to do with silly responsibilities. Seeing a child running around barefoot always makes me smile, provided the ground is soft and free of sharp objects!
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love this a lot 🙂 made me smile. lovely story, amy 🙂
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Thank you, kz!
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Love this one, Amy! It is joyful, authentic and reminds me of my children when they were young. What more can I say? It is truly wonderful!
(BTW: you are the one that brought me to FF… thanks again! And you told me that by Sat. fewer people read the posts… for the record, I will always find yours. Whenever you post it. 😉 )
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Why thank you so much, Dawn. Thanks for your kind words! I didn’t have a lot in me to write this one, so thanks.
Thanks. And I’m so glad you are doing the FFs. Your stories are always a pleasure for me to read and I look forward to them as well. 🙂
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The mutual admiration club… 😉
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Ah, I like that! 🙂
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I’ll second that. 😉
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Oh thanks, Rochelle! That’s very sweet. 🙂
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The child makes some good points. Being barefoot is so liberating.
Shoes are the way governments and international finance control us!
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Ha! Yes, Patrick. I couldn’t agree more. We should all throw our shoes in the fire!
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We don’t wear shoes in the house but in Chicago in the winter, we certainly wear them outside. 🙂 Going barefoot can be fun but it depends a lot on where you are. Nice feel of the freedom of childhood here.
janet, who’s working her way slowly but surely through the stories
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Chicago, oh yeah….you need shoes there. Part of this story comes because I am a California girl and people wear shorts during the winter. Although lately, it’s been chilly and I’m wearing my shoes! Thanks!
I admire you working through the stories. You are so dedicated. I do my best, but I know I miss out on many.
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Nice take on the prompt Amy, and a peek inside the mind of a child. Well done.
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Thank you, Sandra. I haven’t met a child who didn’t want to go without shoes.
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OMG…this is the story of my daughter as a child! lol
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Good to hear, Dawn. I bet she was a happy child!
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Mom’s shadow.
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I love the feeling of grass lawn on me tootsies! The kid has the right idea!
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Me, too! Going shoeless brings out the kid in me. Thanks, Jim.
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Most welcome!
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Dear Amy,
In the summer, after work, the first things that go are my shoes and socks. I drive home barefoot. In the winter the shoes go as soon as a walk in the door. Loved your story. Hope the child doesn’t outgrow that free spirit.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
During the summer, I take off the shoes as much as possible, too. I can just picture you driving home barefoot now. Ha! That’s perfect. I never wear shoes in the house either. If I do, I’m probably feeling uptight. Thank you. If only we all could keep the barefoot spirit alive. It’s something to strive for.
Amy
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I’m late to the party, Amy, but I loved this! I still don’t wear shoes whenever possible. Even at work, I take my shoes off! (But then again, I’m a bodyworker, I’m more grounded without shoes and I work for myself, so nobody can tell me I have to!)
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Thanks, Cathy! I can totally get this. I sense that a bodyworker needs to feel the floor much like a dancer. I think it would be like your instrument for feeling energy and being rooted in a kind of organic way. I love that you do it barefoot. I’m sure it’s the best way!
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You capture the joys and free spiritedness of youth very well. I smiled the whole way through. Grass between our toes and cool earth on our soles(souls) feels good.
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Ah, love your comments. We must relish these little shoeless moments walked on grass and cool earth. Thanks, Audra.
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I like shoes. If horses can wear ’em, so can I – just don’t nail ’em to my feet. I’m more of a flip-flops kind of guy.
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Ha ha. That works just as well doesn’t it? I wear flip flops all summer long! Easy on/off. I like slip on shoes in general.
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Thank you for writing which is quite good and best wishes always, and greetings for sharing.
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Thank you so much! Thanks for stopping by.
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Love it. Who needs shoes, anyway? They’re a trap.
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Right! Thank, La La. I try to avoid them myself.
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My roommate is a barefoot enthusiast, and he also laughs at those of us in shoes.
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I imagine it’s so wet where you are, Jen. I probably would wear shoes, too!
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Sounds like your kid has it right.
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Thanks, Guapo. I agree.
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