This 100 word piece was written using the photo prompt below (photo supplied by Jeff Arnold) for Friday Fictioneers
It had taken seven years for him to complete his glass-encased diorama from his wheelchair. Every evening and most days would be spent working with tiny tools and a high-powered magnifying glass, to re-create the seaside village where he was born, lived and died. His home, the boatsheds and every boat were true to that time. The final touch was the rainbow, symbolising both his hopes for the future and the inevitable disappointments in his life as he searched in vain for its end. Years after I inherited it, I noticed him in his blue sailing jacket, the immortal sailor.
Six Crooked Highways 
Time moves on, but not in this dioramas case. (Consider it Liked, WordPress= contrary again.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, mate.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A most appropriate piece at this particular point in time, Doug. A bit different from your usual style – I really like it. Have a great Easter.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Robbie, and the same to you and yours.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the detail you managed to pick out. Nice story painted.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Iain, much appreciated.
LikeLiked by 1 person
On the first read I took this to be a ghost story.
Now I don’t know, but I like it, so I don’t care!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks, Ceayr. I never cease to be intrigued by how readers see my posts in a light that never occurred to me. It wasn’t meant to be a ghost story; simply a tale of a man who used to sail who wanted his world preserved as he remembered it.
LikeLike
A poisoned inheritance, perhaps…
LikeLike
Loved this tale.
Tracey
LikeLike
Doug, I always enjoy your posts. This one, however, spoke to me in a very different way. My dad was a sailor, a Navy guy, and he loved all things marine. I still have a little wooden figurine I gave him several years before he died–a grizzled old sea captain wearing a bright blue jacket.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Granonine. WP somehow hasn’t been alerting me to all comments recently, hence the delay in responding to your kind words. One never knows when a post will provide a serendipitous thought to a reader.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It happens now and then. Pobody’s nerfect 🙂
LikeLike
It took years to notice the blue figure, it obviously wasn’t there before…
LikeLiked by 1 person
You do like a bit of intrigue, don’t you, Janet 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
John Lennon is coming to mind, “whatever gets you through the night.” Good story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks and apt comment
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome, Doug.
LikeLike
A different and absorbing take on the photo. I enjoyed this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks, Sandra
LikeLike
Dear Doug,
Last year we visited a miniature museum in Kansas City. It’s amazing what some can do, the scenes and objects recreated in tiny detail. I could imagine this scene. I wonder if the sailor himself is in there as in a Twilight Zone that starred Robert Duvall in the early 60’s or if the sailor created an image of himself. Either well, the story is well constructed.
Shalom and good health,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you kindly, Rochelle. If you look carefully he’s on the blue and white boat, second from the right, wearing a blue jacket. 🙂 btw I used to love the Twilight Zone and it’s amazing how many famous actors got their start on that show. I also remember Robert Duvall’s cameo as Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird.
LikeLike
A gentler version of the Flying Dutchman. What had he done to deserve the curse of immortality?
LikeLiked by 1 person
He chose immortality. Not a curse but an opportunity to live beyond his allocated time on the mortal coil.
LikeLike
I love the way he memorialized his life to be passed on. Great detail!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks, Brenda.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A telling picture of “the old man”. Good job.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Eugenia.
LikeLike