Flash Friday Fiction

The Last of the Mohicans

They were the most sought after prize during their foraging times in the forest. Salmon berries, ripe, juicy, full of sweet, tart juice. Picking them as fast as they could, they popped them in their mouths, exploding flavor and the taste of sunshine. They beat their usual fare of pine needles, nuts and grass by far. Life in the woods was tough, but so much better with salmon berries. They should save some to dry for winter. Plan ahead, that was this tribe’s motto. Suddenly, a movement at the edge of the forest made them freeze.

“Kids! Come in now – time for dinner!”

Time at my grandma’s house frequently was spent outdoors, playing in a grove of evergreen trees at the corner of her lot. It was like our own private forest, complete with salmon berries, huckleberries, and a creek with tadpoles. It seemed as big as the world to us, and we loved to imagine ourselves living off the land. Going back to her place later in life, I saw it was really just a few trees and bushes, not the great outdoors I’d once imagined.

The photo prompt is courtesy of Madison Woods. Her story can be found here, along with links to all the other Flash Friday Fictioneers.

25 thoughts on “Flash Friday Fiction”

A voyage into the past.. My story’s on the list.

Thanks for the background story. It elucidates the flash fiction.
Things do look less grand when we grow up, don’t they?

http://logo-ligi.com/2012/06/28/w-m-d/

Oh great job. We totally did that too – the woods seem so much bigger when you’re little! http://kaitlinandmichaelbranch.com/2012/06/29/friday-fictioneers-8/

kids have quite an imagination dont they? your story brought me back right there which was lovely. Our stories are on the list but here is one of the links:
http://writersclubkl.wordpress.com/2012/06/29/friday-fictioneers-valentine/

Odd how time alters perspective. I can tell you cherish the memory.
Mine is here: http://oldentimes.wordpress.com/2012/06/29/friday-fictioneers-collecting-jewels/

Funny how the same thing can look so very different to two sets of eyes, or one set of eyes over a period of time even. I enjoyed this trip down memory lane.
Mine: http://adamickes.wordpress.com/2012/06/29/berry-tester/

This was so nostalgic – loved it Erin.
http://castelsarrasin.wordpress.com/2012/06/29/forbidden-friday-fictioneers-june-2012/

A good trip down memory lane. From the eyes of babe! Mine is here and linked: http://readinpleasure.wordpress.com/2012/06/29/fridayfictioneers-seduction/

what happens next ??? I am hooked

Dear Erin,

It WAS the great outdoors when you were in that tribe so long ago. The magic remains in your heart forever, Erin, and you’ve just spread some of it around for us. Can’t thank you enough for sharing that magical moment in time.

Aloha,

Doug

I love your “tribe” of children! Although the story stood well on its own, it was even more enjoyable with the explication. Lovely!

Great trip down memory lane, and yea i agree things that seemed so grand when i was growing up are so small now…i wonder why i thought they were larger than life :). Thanks for stopping by mine

I always hear about salmon berries (and by always I mean occasionally), but have never taken the time to find out what they were. Loved the exploding “taste of sunshine.” Nice twist at the end (but I couldn’t help wondering what tribe of ten-year-olds would ever plan ahead!).

Mine’s at http://plowright.wordpress.com/2012/06/29/fictioneers-19/ 🙂

I had a place just like that as a kid – great job keeping the truth under wraps until the end. I especially liked the line “exploding flavor and the taste of sunshine” — so distinct! Thanks again for commenting on mine. Here’s the link for your readers:

http://pinionpost.com/2012/06/29/the-tenants/

Loved the trip through memory lane. I had one of those myself and remembered fondly of my old childhood home – Now it’s nothing like it was when I had fun playing in the yard with my brothers. Still, I loved the story – very sweet. 🙂
Here is a link to my story – http://mahjira.blogspot.com/2012/06/not-here-friday-fictioneer.html

Ha, I had a place like that I loved to visit when I was a child. It’s still the same, but looks very different to me than it did all those years ago.

This brought back memories of my grandmother’s strawberry patch. She kept blaming the birds for eating her berries when they were barely pink…..but no, it was me!

Nice…

Nice trek down memory lane this one was

We forget that berries often kept the Native Americans alive and healthy. Never heard of salmon berries. They sound delicious.

Hi Erin. Lovely story. Seems you evoked a lot of memories on the list. Childhood’s a magical time…or should be. I loved playing in the woods with friends and imagining I was an Indian princess or pioneer.