Tinker’s Dreams
The curtains flutter as the gentle breeze filters in. Tinker chirps happily in her cage as she watches all the bustling activity in the street below. I wonder, does she believe she is perched in a tree, free and happy? Does she fly in her dreams? Does she dream of love and bird companionship? What is the secret to her bird happiness? Certainly, I would not deny her of her fantasy as she has made the best of her circumstances. Still, I wonder about this sweet little bird.
Benny runs the Main Street Bookstore since his father, Ben, died and his mother, Martha, has taken to staying to herself. Her home is and has always been the floor above the store. Preferring the company of Tinker, she doesn’t get out much anymore.
Now, it’s just Martha, Tinker, and books. And, that’s just fine with Martha……and Tinker.
140 words (not including title)
This is in response to a challenge hosted by Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. If you would like to participate in this challenge or need more information, please click the following link:
So sad to know Martha won’t go out but she has her bird to keep her company. Great story! 🙂
Thank you Irod! There isn’t a whole lot one can say in 100-150 words. LOL! But that makes it fun. I was trying to show similarities of Martha and her bird, Tinker. Kind of like me and my little dog, Bria. 😀
That is true, 100-150 words is a challenge. But overall well done 🙂
Thank you. 🙂
Love your story…..as always. I wrote one, and tried to link up, but it said that my blog post has the wrong extension! What do I do? Thanks!
Send me your url
https://wordpress.com/post/70185050/437
That’s it! Thanks. Betty
That’s the problem Betty, I don’t think that is the correct url. Do you get instant email of your own posts? (I hope you do) If you do if you look at the bottom of the email and it has the url. It looks something like this: https://maddmomma.wordpress.com/2015/02/18/the-title-of-your-post/
I don’t get instant email of my own post. How do I get that?
When you follow someone you will get an email stating that you followed them and there is a link on that email, “manage subscriptions”. Click on that and go into the area where it will have all of the blogs that you follow. Up at the top is a box where you can put in your url like this: https//maddmombetty.wordpress.com (unless it is something different than this) and it will hook you up to following your own blog. Now, you need to go find that post you published and get the url or write another story (but please follow yourself first).
Okay, Thanks!
I think you did a beautiful job with this PJ! If I can get my head on straight today I will give it a shot. You are always an inspiration.
Thank you Bynda but “you” are the inspiration!
An effective opening sentence and a sweet image created of Tinker in her cage. It’s good to know that Martha is happy with her life above the bookstore. Books are amazing companions – and of course, she also has Tinker. 🙂
Thank you Millie. I was trying to show her life through Tinker. Not sure if I accomplished that or not, or if it would make sense in the first place. LOL
You did convey Tinker’s ‘view’ of the world of the street below. That was a good contrast to Martha’s quiet, solitary life above the bookstore. Your new challenge seems to have started well. 🙂
Oh Millie, it’s been “challenging” to say the least.
I can well imagine. Being the organiser is somewhat different to just participating every week. I really admire you for doing it! Just don’t wear yourself into the ground! 🙂
I am about to do that. I am so far behind my head is spinning. lol
Have an evening resting. It’s bed time here, but you could spend some time away from your computer, Staring at it for hours on end does cause dreadful headaches. Take care, PJ. 🙂
Yes,thank you. I am going to get away from it for awhile. I’m beat.
I enjoyed your short story. A lot can still come of it. I am still thinking about the photo and what to say. It is also difficult for me to express myself in English too!
I’m sure you will come up with something excellent.
I feel a bit sorry Tinker. Well, at least she’s got Martha for company.
Thank you for running the challenge 🙂
Yes, I always feel sorry for caged birds which is why I used a bird instead of a cat or a dog. But this bird has found happiness in her dreams.
hi joy, you have lots of imagination, great story!
Thank you Elizabeth! Thank you for reading and for your feedback!
Nicely done. Life can often feel as Tinker. I hope Benny can convince Martha to take Tinker downstairs and participate in ALL the world and not just the window’s view.
I think that’s a great idea Roger! I’ll write that into the story. 😉
Makes me wonder about Ben….and hope he doesn’t limit himself to just the books the bird and his mom…. funny how these stories get us wondering. 🙂
Are you referring to Ben or Benny? Ben is the father and he passed away. Benny is running the bookstore now. 🙂 (the son)
Shoot! You’re right, I meant Benny!!!
Okay thanks! I almost wrote that Ben Sr. was hanging around waiting to take Martha home but decided against it.
Well that’s a different twist. 😉
Fabulous darling!
Indeed!! 😀
Thank you!! Appreciate your feedback. 🙂
Martha and Tinker seem to be very content with their situation. Tinker is chirping and Martha has her comfort zone of the bookstore and Tinker by her side. Nice story.
Thank you. You got it perfectly! I do think that Tinker is helping to keep Martha’s spirits up.
We have 4 free flying parakeets. They hang out in our living room all day and return to their cage to sleep at night. They make a cheerful chirpy choir on dreary days 🙂 It’s good Martha and Tinker (love that name) have each other. Benny can take care of things until Martha wants to re-enter the world.
Ellespeth
How wonderful you have 4 parakeets and that you don’t keep them caged. I love that ! And I love that they go into their cage at night.
I really enjoyed your short story. I read it twice…the first time I felt sad but then I thought, why sad? Tinker probably brings much joy to Martha and she has books galore to travel to so many lands.
Yes! Tinker is an extension to her feelings. She is happy with Tinker and books (and her son).
What a wonderful story, Joy, your imagination is amazing 😉
Thank you Cat. I wrote it early yesterday. Fortunately I wrote it before I went into “Stress City”.
I am glad that Martha has Tinker. Good story! 🙂
Thank you so much! Tinker is happy to have Martha. 🙂
Although it is considered odd when some people prefer to stay indoors or if birds are kept in cages (which I personally think it is a bit cruel if it is not let out once in a while), if said person is content and happy, then that is great. For that is what really matters, and not to do what others expect!
Of course though, that is only my opinion.
Once again, a lovely little story, and thank you for creating the prompt!
Thank you so much! And, you’re welcome! Some people do only stay inside and I would get clastrophobic. I need sunshine to thrive. LOL! I agree, if that is what makes some people happy then I don’t begrudge them of that.
I thought I had commented on your story, PJ. I’m sorry. You did a fantastic job with the prompt. I often wonder why birds in cages continue to sing. I’m glad they do because it reminds me that I can always have a song in my heart no matter my circumstances. I’m posting my flash fiction for the prompt tomorrow. Have you had a pretty good response? I will link mine up when it publishes.
Yes, for it being the first day of the first prompt, I think it is doing very well. I am happy about that.
I’m happy for you!! It is a wonderful idea.
I don’t think I would have done it had you not talked me into it.
I love how you try to get inside a bird brain and encourage empathy with the caged bird ~ A very sad situation conquered only by cheerful chirping ~ Nice work Joy ~
Thank you John. I think it takes a bird brain to try and get into a bird’s brain. haha! LOL Thank you for reading and for the lovely compliment. 🙂
😦 I think you do yourself down a little with your response Joy ~ Your post is excellent 🙂
John, that is sweet but I was only joking. I knew you weren’t telling me this at all. I was just making light of myself. Thank you for the compliment. My story was using the bird to explain Martha’s situation. I was trying to go with a different take to the photo. I really appreciate you reading and for your positive feedback.
latter part of this tale moves nicely to prose poem ..some have a knack for flash fiction…i thinks it’s those who fear not the multiple definitions of the “genre”. think it a real genre?
regards,
doug
Knowledge wise, I do not know if it is a real genre, but it is fun and I think it could or should be its own genre. What do you think? (You must be a writing instructor).
No way to the writing instructor, I just sling the syntax in hopes of shying away from my many other vices…to the question of genre…I think yes. And maybe a coming commercial one at that. Perfect for i-phone, tablet hopping.
That is good to know. I agree with you about how the popularity will rise considering the number of iphones and tablets.
What I really love about this story is that it’s from the perspective of Tinker and what she sees. she’s like one of the family. The second part of the story where you introduce the other characters I almost wanted to see more of what Tinker thought of the situation like you did with the last line and I don’t think you need the parentheses, it’s almost more bold that way. Good job!
Love you to take a peek at mine: 🙂 https://romancedonewrite.wordpress.com/2015/02/20/flashfictionfriday-vol-1-the-book-tour/
Thank you! I appreciate the feedback!!
I just left a comment on your blog. I loved it!
It is interesting how the way in which a character wonders about a third party can shed light on their situation. Martha has a strong voice in this piece. My one suggestion would by to place the section in which Martha is clearly wondering about Tinker in ‘ ‘ as without them the writing style seems to shift from second person to first person then back to second person in an abrupt fashion.
Okay, thank you. I will go check on that and change it. Thank you!
I think it is this that you are referring to:
Preferring the company of Tinker, she doesn’t get out much anymore.
Would it be better:
Martha prefers the company of Tinker and doesn’t go out much anymore. ??
Actually I felt that sentence fitted in the way in which you originally had it. I was referring to this section: ‘Does she believe she is perched… … … Still, I wonder about this sweet little bird.’ Though, the entire first paragraph could be considered first person now that I’ve re-read. To clarify – it is clear that Martha is narrating the paragraph but the next is omnipresent second person. In a flash-fic the chop-and-change is better marked so it doesn’t feel abrupt. If they were different chapters the abruptness would not exist because the preparedness for change is there already.
I think I tried writing that paragraph in the present tense. Should I have written it in the past tense?
The present tense fitted just right for your points, I think.
Thank you. I did make a few changes on the first paragraph based on your suggestion and I really do think it sounds better. I hate you having to “babysit” me on this, but if you get a chance maybe you can give it a look and let me know if it is better.
Ah I see how you’ve changed it. Maybe instead of ‘I think’ you could use something along the lines of ‘Martha wonders’
Haha! I just changed it back to what it was (somewhat) and I did change I think to I wonder. I’ll go back and see if I need to change it to Martha ( I think I do).
I think warns people of the switch but in the same abrupt way as the original. lol That’s when you know you’ve been re-reading the same story too long when you start re-writing it differently to the same effect.
Haha! I was just on Goggle looking at tenses. I need to do some reading on those. It’s been a long time since I have been in school.
I wouldn’t worry too much – there are a lot of grammatical errors you can get away with because they don’t disrupt your word/story flow. In fact, they can sometimes add to it.
Thank you! Happy to hear that because all that “Tenses” stuff looked very boring. TMI. Haha!
Seconded!
Haha! (I was starting to look for Cliff Notes for Tenses). lol
…They probably exist somewhere but it’ll be the apocalypse if you find them!!
That’s funny!
I do understand what you are saying about the chop and change – too abrupt.
Lovely tale Joy, I’ll keep an eye out for your prompt each week.
I am so happy you have joined us Tommy. Are you following the blog, Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers? It will go out once a week from that blog.
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