draliman on life

I know, it’s technically Friday Fictioneers day, but I’ve written a late entry for Roger’s Flash Fiction for the Purposeful Practitioner.

The supplied opening sentence is in bold, and the picture was sourced here.

Click on the blue froggy for other stories.

Public Domain Archive

There it was. You could see the corner of the folded yellowed parchment sticking out of the torn lining of the battered book.

“How did it get in there?” asked Sarah.

“I don’t know,” replied Mother, “but we need it. We can’t leave without The List.” She gave a tentative tug at the corner of The List. It didn’t move.

“Care, mother!” snapped Sarah. Ashamed at her tone, she continued in a softer voice. “The Book is ancient. We dare not damage it!”

“But The List,” replied Mother. “The List is essential. Without it we cannot continue. All will be lost.”

“One moment.” Sarah rummaged through her pack, finding a pair of tweezers. Carefully, she tugged at the corner of The List until, inch by inch, it came free.

“There!” she said. “At last we have The List, and The Book is undamaged.” She handed it to Mother who unfolded it carefully, almost reverently.

“Is everything there, Mother?” asked Sarah anxiously. “Did you remember the eggs?”

“Yes!” said Mother triumphantly. “Let’s go shopping!”