A misty tribute

Posted in 100-word story, Writing Prompt/Challenge

Golden flames flickered in Oshima’s misty eyes as she floated the paper lantern, engraved with her granny’s name, down the river. She had traveled miles to participate in this age-old tradition of helping the departed return to the spirit world peacefully.

Orphaned at the age of six, she was single-handedly raised by the feisty woman. A gifted-storyteller, the octogenarian had supported her dream to be a writer. Today, while lighting the candles, Oshima remembered how the lines on the old woman’s face would deepen whenever she talked about the fateful day when a blinding flash and a fluffy mushroom claimed her husband’s life.

P.S. The prompt took me to Tōrō Nagashi, a ceremony celebrated in remembrance of the dead in Japan. The story is also a humble attempt to commemorate the people who lost their lives in the horrific Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings on 6th and 9th Aug 1945.

Written for Friday Fictioneers

PHOTO PROMPT © Carla Bicomong

 

 

Published by Piyali

Hi there!! This is Piyali. Welcome to my blog- Solitary Soul with a Chaotic Mind. Kindly hit the 'About' button (you'll find it somewhere on the top left side of my blog page) to know more about me. Or you can just hit me up on Twitter (I am quite regular there ;) ) My Twitter handle is Piyali_RB. Also, I have a semi-active Insta account with the same handle Piyali_RB. Check it out if you like. Ciao!

28 thoughts on “A misty tribute”

  1. It is sad that after all the centuries, all mankind seems to have accomplished is update the “club” and still cannot settle differences without conflict…. 🙂

    “The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom”. Isaac Asimov

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  8. Surprising and impactful at the end. What incredible times this woman must have lived through.

    If you will permit me to be nitpicky, two things: i looked up reminisce and according to that dictionary, it does not take an object, so remember or another verb or leaving off the object(the fateful day) might make it read more smoothly.

    Second, i was a little confused. At first i thought the grandmother’s grandfather died in the blast. Then I wondered if it was the young woman’s grandfather, possiblythe grandmothers husband. Since theres no mention of when either one died, i can only guess what you meant. And i think the grandmothers grandfather might be too old anyway. Sorry to meddle, just trying to alert you to possible misunderstandings. 😊

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    1. Thank you for correcting me there, Andrea. To me, the true purpose of participating in this challenge is to learn. I love English. I have always been encouraged by teachers, friends, and family to write in this language. However, as a person whose arterial language is not English, I do get confused at times. A common challenge faced by non-native speakers (including me) is the correct usage and placing of words in a sentence. I am glad that you pointed out what I’d missed. Feel free to correct me anytime. I am open to constructive criticism 😊

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      1. I get it. Though I never reached nearly your degree of prowess in my second language, I did spend a year in Germany trying to communicate in German, and Im very familiar with all the landmines waiting out there to be stepped on. From your writing, I would never have known English was not your first language: its beautiful.

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