It’s time for Friday Fictioneers, when writers from around the world post 100-word stories based on a photo prompt provided on Madison Woods‘ blog. This week’s photo is by Sandra Crook. You can read other Friday Fictioneers’ work (including Sandra’s) by clicking the link that appears below my story.
Warning
by Jan Brown
I entered the wood through a gateway of brick, bamboo and ivy. It was peaceful and serene, with a pathway of wide natural stones, worn smooth with the rains of time. The kanji carved into the gate were unreadable, neither Japanese nor Chinese. More strange kanji were carved into markers along the path, leading to an abandoned teahouse.
After a short rest in eerie solitude, I walked back to the gateway, only to find it blocked. Three boulders were stacked, one on top of the other, a stone snowman. I touched the formation with a tentative hand, and now I am frozen here too, a warning to others.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
mezzojan 
Oh oh…look don’t touch I guess. Very nice take on the prompt.
Thanks, Boomie!
I was just relaxing with your lovely descriptions and then you hit me with the turning-to-stone. Bummer! 🙂
Yes, it’s a bummer, but I do love a surprise ending!
Wham bam, a twist! Got me, nicely done.
Thank you! Your comment on the story twist is very much appreciated.
Ok, just one stupid question. And if you can answer it you’ll have my undying, never ending followship. If you turned to stone, how did you write this?
Hahahaha! Transcendentally, of course 🙂
Hi Jan,
I’ve heard of Frosty, but I’m calling your snowman Stoney. Getting stoned can be fun, but not this way! Good read. Ron
Thank you, Ron! Glad you enjoyed it.
I had the same impression as Paul and will ask a similar question. If she’s frozen and turned to stone, how can she warn others?
Hopefully, with the abstract stone figures obstructing the gateway, it will scare away others, lest they meet the same fate 🙂
That’s a scary twist! Next time I’ll make sure I keep my hands to myself. Too much at risk 🙂
Ha, ha! Thanks for your comment!
There you go – look, don’t touch. That ending came as a surprise and I love the idea of a stone snowman.
Thanks, Sandra, and thanks for a great prompt this week!
If it was a fairy tale, a prince would come and set all free.
Wouldn’t that be nice! Thanks for stopping by, Bjorn. Hope your trip is wonderful! Looking forward to pictures and poetry about it 🙂
What a twist. Nice work, Jan. I’m here: http://readinpleasure.wordpress.com/2012/09/28/fridayfictioneers-my-dream/
Thank you, Celestine! Yours has an interesting twist, too.
Oo! Well done. I will stay away from that place. Thanks for the warning. 🙂
Thank you for stopping by my blog and for your comment. Have a great weekend!
Not exactly the Midas touch. Reminds me of Lot’s wife. Nicely done.
Thanks, Russell!
Cool story – I liked the little touches and details, like the kanji and the tea house, and the nice abrupt ending
Thank you, Brian. I enjoyed yours, too — a peaceful view of the cycle of life.
oh crap, that’s not good. thanks!
good one!
Ooh. I loved this. Such a great ending.
Thank you, Shirley! Appreciate the feedback very much.
Dear Jan,
Me thinks there’s going to be a mountain there soon. Human’s live by touching, as your story demonstrates.
Aloha,
Doug