Welcome to Unwritten's May Flash Fiction challenge! Every story (600 words max) begins with this sentence:
I never expected to be in this position so soon, saying goodbye to my son.
I never expected to be in this position so soon, saying goodbye to my son.
I am so enjoying the variety of these stories. Thomas J Marshall brings us a wonderfully different take on our challenge. It's something that's happening in every backyard in our hemisphere. A mother's worst nightmare? Perhaps. Either way, I'm certain you'll want to "tweet" about it later. Read on!
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First Flight
I never expected to be in this position so soon, saying
goodbye to my son. Every mother goes through this, of course, but he and his brother
were all I have known since they hatched.
I watched as my boy fell from the tree. I resisted the urge to fly down and scoop him
up. He had to learn, or die. That was the way of things.
The confidence I had tried to leave me. The decision to send
him now was made because he was strong; the strongest of the clutch and as of a
moment ago, the first to leave the nest. He had to be ready.
The memory of his first white feathers around his head came
to mind. I knew just by the look of them
he was special. There wasn’t a speck of grey or black amongst them. And his hooked beak and talons were
strong. Even as a hatchling, he was able
to handle the small fish I laid before him.
This made him grow fast. Much
faster than his brother. He wouldn’t take this challenge for a week yet.
I cocked my head to the side and saw his silhouette shrink. A
touch of fear struck me. He should be
flying by now. What have I done? I couldn’t let him die. He was too young. I know I shouldn’t go after him but I can’t
watch him fall to his death.
His shape shrunk smaller still and I realized I may have
been wrong. I flapped my wings, dusting
them out to prepare to make a dive.
I checked on him again. Now he flipped in the air out of
control. He wasn’t ready. I stepped out
onto a limb and bent my legs, no longer caring this was not the way of things.
I jumped out and started my dive. The wind rushed past me
and through my wings. I spotted him below, but see he no longer struggled. Would
he level out? Yes, he did it!
I pulled my wings in to slow my descent and watch him. My
heart expands with pride as I see him flap his wings and start to climb. Look at him go! His brown feathered body
accented the white of his head as he sped off into the sunset. Good bye son.
****
I am 41 years old and have been in the Army for over 20 years. I just started writing in January when I decided to take the F2k course. I had so much fun with that course I decided to continue by joining WVU. I have submitted a couple of flash fiction pieces, one to NPR for the Three Minute Fiction and another to an online publisher. i am currently working on a fantasy adventure novel which I hope to have completed by the end of the year.
Great Story! Last summer Robins built a nest in a hanging plant on our porch by our kitchen. We happened to be eating dinner just as the two surviving chicks made their maiden flight. I recall the mother bird hanging about, watching them. She flew over to encourage them when they made it to the hood of my mother's car, but seemed disinclined to go further.
ReplyDeleteThis is lovely!
thank you Cristina, glad you enjoyed it. :)
DeleteWhat an interesting point of view! You are definitely getting us to think outside the box and see a whole new perspective.
ReplyDeleteHey Thanks Maresulubrium.
DeleteGlad you liked the story.
This was a great story. I never considered how a mother bird would feel having to push their offspring out of a nest.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jeannie.
DeleteI loved the different take on this one. So far, we've had only human subjects :)
ReplyDeleteYeah Mysti,
ReplyDeleteI can't go with the flow. Gotta keep em guessin'. :) Glad you like it.
I really enjoyed this also. I've been reading the Owls of Ga'hoole off and on, and this has the same flavour. Nicely done!
ReplyDeleteThank you Tori, I really appreciate the compliment.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your story, TJ. It was different.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to believe you've been writing such a short time.
Thank you Leo!
ReplyDeleteTJ--As always, your writing amazes and inspires me. It touches the soul of what a mother feels when her children leave the nest, whether feathered or human.
ReplyDeleteTiggs
Hey Tiggs, long time no see. Glad you like this story. I had a lot of fun writing it.
DeleteI just now read your lovely story. I loved every word. You have a natural talent. Please keep polishing it. I want to read more from you. Great job!
ReplyDeleteThanks Dixie.
ReplyDeleteThis was a fun project and I was glad to get the chance to submit a story. Glad you enjoyed it.
TJ